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Hillary 's New Video Seeking Contributions to Retire Campaign Debt

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:26:36 PM EST
Tags: Hillary Clinton, 2008 (all tags)
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Hillary Clinton released this video today, thanking her supporters and saying she still needs help. If you'd like to help her retire her campaign debt -- which doesn't include the money she lent to her campaign as she views that as her own investment -- go to HillaryClinton.com

Update: Hillary has $26 million in her general campaign account that can't be used for the primary. Those who contributed to it can be asked to re-designate their contributions to Obama's general campaign or perhaps to her Senate re-election campaign, but that's not clear. [More...]

Question: Can she request her contributors redesignate the contributions to Obama and he request his contributors (particularly his bundlers and corporate donees who maxed out their $2300 to Obama) to contribute to her primary campaign to pay off the debt?
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    Hillary 's New Video Seeking Contributions to Retire Campaign Debt | 60 comments (60 topical)

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    Job Well Done (5.00 / 5) (#6)
    by talex on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:52:23 PM EST
    I just went to her website ad sent her $50 for a job well done. If a large percentage of her millions of supporters who voted for her would send $5-10 she could be out of debt next month.

    Just sent the largest single donation (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by davnee on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 05:21:54 PM EST
    I made to her all campaign long.  The way she fought with class, and with the greatest tenacity I think I've ever seen from a politician in my life makes me proud to be one of her supporters.  Then.  Now.  Going forward.

    Parent
    Obama could show grace and efforts at unity... (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Aqua Blue on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:55:31 PM EST
    by helpng Hillary.   Obama could take the high road in so doing lessen the anamosity.  Unfortunately, Obama doesn't get it.  "Get over it" is not the way.

    I am not gettig over it until and unless he shows some class toward Hillary and her supporters.  Obama clearing Hillary's debt would do a lot to make me more conciliatory.

    I might begin to think that his values extended past "me...me...me."

    I don't (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:00:01 PM EST
    think he can afford to. After his fundraising numbers in Apr and May and his burn rate he may not be in such great financial shape. He couldn't or wouldn't even rally his supporters to help pay for the convention in Denver. How embarrassing is that?

    Parent
    If she can raise $75 Million for him (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by dianem on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:22:39 PM EST
    ...he can retire $20 Million of her debt. Suggesting that she should help him and he shouldn't help her is petty.

    Parent
    She doesn't want him to retire her debt (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:53:08 PM EST
    She doesn't like the strings that are attached. Her goal is to get her own debt taken care of, and only the amount she owes her vendors. She and Bill have decided their personal investment was worth it.


    Parent
    Thank you. (5.00 / 4) (#48)
    by ghost2 on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 05:14:59 PM EST
    The freking media is at it again.  Have you noticed that she is supposed to just hand over her email list and her donor list to Obama with nothing in return?? Another thing which pols never do, but since it's Hillary, it's a different set of rules.

    They make it like she is begging.  Note that both she and Obama raised record amounts, and her total was close to his, which means the size of their email and donor database are comparable.

    She is supposed to just hand it over. Meanwhile, Obama has only sent an email for DCCC, otherwise instructed his donors to not contribute to other entities (IIRC).  So after all the SDs did, he is holding his ace and not letting go of it yet.  

    He hasn't sent a fundraising letter for DNC or for Denver Convention committee.

    I am sick of everything.  I am sick of a&%es passing for media.


    Parent

    CNN's thigh-rubbing mode over her Subservience (5.00 / 4) (#51)
    by Ellie on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 06:05:49 PM EST
    Is simply grotesque. The head pats for this are just more of the same CDS.

    In a way it's good to see fauxgressives use pretend-outrage over ginned up racism to unleash a historically unprecedented torrent of their overt bigotry on a candidate they simply don't prefer.

    Otherwise I'd never have consciously guessed the unspoken rule that it's never women's "turn" to be treated like human beings whether they contribute to progress as voters, candidates, activists and donors.

    What this has boiled down is a "choice" between a friend that pretends to stand behind women to continually back-stab (and use as shielding), or an up-front knife-bearing foe against whom one at least has a fighting chance of taking down for the longterm.

    Supporting Obama without his unequivocal, up-front guarantees besides paltry statements buried on a web site -- and without disavowing, eg, the socially medieval theocrats he stumps with -- only enables the continuing pap that it's never a good time to take women seriously.

    When Obama makes THAT Best Speech Ever is the time to take HIM seriously that he's genuine about Unity.

    I'm not interested in the sop that when Daddy's little girls are grown up they may kinda sorta be helped because a woman ran for President and was assailed daily by their less qualified dad lathering up a mob to take her down.

    I'm not old now but I'm definitely old enough to know what's going down now will never be acceptable.

    Parent

    She had a million donors (5.00 / 3) (#52)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 06:10:02 PM EST
    before Iowa. Never hear that either.

    Parent
    She had (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by pie on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 06:45:29 PM EST
    18,000,00 voters.  :)

    Parent
    He can't (none / 0) (#43)
    by manish on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:49:25 PM EST
    Obama's campaign can give all of $2000 to her campaign.  He can fund raise for her, though he also has to fund raise for himself.  I'm all for making sure that Hillary's campaign can her vendors, particularly the small businesses.  I won't be too upset if Mark Penn gets stiffed.  Having said that, nobody made Hillary spend beyond her means..she oughta take some personal responsibility and contribute more of her own money towards wiping out her campaign's debt.

    Parent
    Really? (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by pie on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 06:18:46 PM EST
    What other candidates have had to do that?

    Parent
    He can (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by Valhalla on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 06:35:09 PM EST
    This has been gone over several times here, and in the WSJ and other sources.

    He can raise money for her, to retire her debt, just like she can ask her donors to donate to him.  They both have maxed out donors who can donate to the other's campaigns.

    It is completely unordinary for one candidate to pay off the other's debts in a close race.  This was true long before Obama invented 'Unity'.

    Parent

    BTW, (none / 0) (#55)
    by pie on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 06:41:35 PM EST
    why is Mark Penn's name being brought up today?  He's no longer with the campaign, and I'm sure someone can talk about his actual salary, which was not that much.  I read it here, so someone must know.

    Parent
    $4.5M owed to his firm (none / 0) (#59)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 08:22:32 PM EST
    Not just for his services on the campaign, but apparently his firm did polling and other work for the campaign.

    Parent
    Nice racket.... (none / 0) (#65)
    by kdog on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 09:58:23 AM EST
    he's got going there.

    Parent
    I'm an Obama Supporter (5.00 / 4) (#10)
    by QueenTiye on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:55:59 PM EST
    And as such, I'll make a small donation.  From what I understand, that's necessary so as not to cause to much harm to the primary goal of electing Obama.  And, yeah - she's doing her part in directing her money folks at Obama, so why wouldn't I help out? (I don't much like contributing to Penn, but a debt is a debt, I guess).

    QT

    I wrote someone in her campaign (5.00 / 8) (#11)
    by masslib on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:57:31 PM EST
    and asked that she please just outright ask us, her supporters, for help with her debt.  I don't want her beholden to Obama, and when I read the cruel comments coming out of Camp Obama about helping her with the debt, I acted.  What's with these pathetic comments slamming Hillary for this  her supporters know what this is about, and they want to help.

    Really (5.00 / 8) (#12)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:58:05 PM EST
    now. No one is forcing working class people to donate to her campaign.

    Obama is a millionaire. Perhaps no one should donate to his campaign either. He can sell his house and Michelle can go back to her job to pay for the campaign so that he can prove he really understands the working class. Of course, no one really thinks that he understands the working class anyway.

    Should Obama stop taking donations (5.00 / 4) (#14)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:00:20 PM EST
    from supporters too?  Does this mean he has no shame in asking for contributions?

    Why yes... (none / 0) (#39)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:33:17 PM EST
    yes it does.

    I think you need your head examined if you give any of these shucksters your money to spend on Madison Ave. consultants, public opinion pollsters, and deli platters.

    Give me a candidate who won't take a private dollar, listens to his/her gut instead of consultants and pollsters, and brown bags their lunch.

    Parent

    Obama's (5.00 / 4) (#19)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:03:29 PM EST
    problems are due to Obama not Hillary. His associates in chicago are what have severely damaged him on the CIC issue not anything that Hillary did.

    Nice party unity here! (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by MarkL on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:07:01 PM EST


    How unbelievably hypocritical for (5.00 / 5) (#27)
    by masslib on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:11:42 PM EST
    people who cheered Obama's opt-out of public funds to now ridicule Hill asking her supporters to help with the debt to her vendors.  Just unbelievable.

    They may not be the same people (none / 0) (#32)
    by CST on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:14:19 PM EST
    I noticed kdog has a beef with this.  He certainly never supported Obama.  It is possible to dislike both.

    Me, I have no problem with either.

    Parent

    It's also ironic that throughout the (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by NJDem on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:19:41 PM EST
    campaign, HRC often asked for just $5.  

    I saw an e-mail the Obama sent out that asked for $100.  

    I'll leave it up to your own judgment to analyze that one.    

    Parent

    What is your point???? (none / 0) (#38)
    by CST on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:25:47 PM EST
    I am not here to defend everything Obama has ever done.  I don't think Hillary is in the wrong here.  I am just pointing out that opposing one doesn't mean supporting the other.  Likewise, supporting one doesn't mean opposing the other.

    I have no problem with either fundraising effort.  To each their own, as long as it's legal.

    Parent

    Speaking As An Obama Supporter (none / 0) (#57)
    by daring grace on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 07:40:38 PM EST
    I hope all of Hillary Clinton's supporters send her money to retire her campaign debt.

    If I were one of her supporters, I'd probably be willing to send her money to pay herself back, for that matter. (But then, I'm not that flush with cash to send anyone too much money!)

    But really, what a tremendous and substantial expression of her supporters' standing by her still if it could show up in the media that she has retired this debt in record time and with millions of tiny (or not so tiny) donations.

    Parent

    Lord. (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Marco21 on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:13:22 PM EST
    is it any wonder why there is division in the Democratic party and some aren't up for the unity?

    "She really has no shame"

    Really? Look in the mirror before spouting such nonsense.

    Supporting Clinton (5.00 / 10) (#31)
    by Valhalla on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:13:56 PM EST
    Looks like the post I was responding to was deleted, so here's my edited response:

    For Obama supporters, the less she needs to work to pay off her campaign debt, the more she can concentrate on getting Obama elected.

    For other folks like me, the less beholden she is to having Obama pay off her campaign debt, the better.

    She ran a good, tough race.  She represented my interests better than any other candidate.  I'm going to support that.  She changed many people's minds about her and inspired many others.  I'm going to support that too.  She came within a hair of winning (which hair and whose head it was plucked from i won't say).  She conceded the race with grace and without allowing the interests of those who support her be brushed aside.  I'm definitely going to support that -- because right now I don't see a lot of Congresspeople doing that (hello FISA!).

    Nicely said. (5.00 / 6) (#41)
    by pie on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:36:20 PM EST
    My husband and I will be sending her another donation, too.  She worked incredibly hard.  I couldn't believe how she kept up the pace, campaigned constantly, and never stopped smiling.

    She rocks.

    Parent

    Post-neutrality I contributed to HRC's run (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by Ellie on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:42:43 PM EST
    ... incrementally (by the week or month), as it became clear the race for the nom was close and heated.

    Speaking for myself only -- :-) -- the obstacles in contributing further relates, eg, to disgraceful news like finding out that Obama supporters booed the mere mention of her name at fundraising events by Clinton's donors gathered to support Obama.

    I find it disgraceful that the Obama campaign is intent continuing to shame Sen Clinton even when she's impeccably supporting the Dems and supporting Obama.

    But my leeriness of Obama running an intelligent campaign in the general election isn't just based on understandable disgust at displays like that, nor "anger" or "grief" (LOL). I'm additionally leery of throwing good money after bad.

    If the Obama campaign has money to burn for surefire voter-turnoff strategies like buying ad time during the Olympics -- money gained from HRC supporters while actively being JEERED --  I think the onus is first on the Obama campaign to (Unity) Pony up the jack to show their good faith.

    I'm sorry if this is against TL's genuine efforts to maintain their gold standard of what good Dems are like and what new & old ones should strive for. This isn't snark, sucking up or disingenuous.

    I've always viewed TL as a human rights site first and supported it as a vanishing voice for transparency, rule of law and constitutional integrity before automatic partisanship to party or personality and will continue to support the site regardless of its endorsements.

    Why I do this to myself... (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Marco21 on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 05:17:34 PM EST
    I don't know, but I went to Huffpo again. I know, I know...

    All hatorade with ahealthy does of sexism.

    I know they're not indicative of all Obama supporters, but talk about PUMAs. Jeez.

    Parent

    Just sent $50.45. (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by DJ on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 05:14:07 PM EST


    Heh (none / 0) (#58)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 08:19:54 PM EST
    I'm sure the accountant will get it :)

    Parent
    No shame.... (1.66 / 6) (#1)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:37:07 PM EST
    I swear.

    Hit up the corporate donors to cover the debt, not Joe and Jane Blow struggling with gas and food prices.  Surely there are corporate donors who would be very interested in sending some cash a sitting Senators way...there is always favorable legislation to be purchased:)

    Um, many of her supporters (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:47:15 PM EST
    want to help her out. I think asking and clarifying what they are paying off is fine. At least it's specific . . .   ;)

    The donation limits still apply I believe, so anyone that has maxed out can't help.

    Parent

    Yes, I read that her big donors had (5.00 / 6) (#20)
    by Aqua Blue on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:05:06 PM EST
    maxed out their legal limits.

    Hillary has earned our donations.  Through blood, sweat, and tears, she has made the case for the working class and middle class.   She has fought for us and opened a national dialogue that was long overdue.   Now she needs us.   She has given enough.

    Me...I'm donating again.   She has earned retirement of that debt.

    Parent

    Me Too (5.00 / 5) (#28)
    by befuddledvoter on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:12:51 PM EST
    Hillary really went to bat for the working class.  I for one deeply appreciate that. I will gladly contribute again.  Nasty comments here about who is a millionaire.  

    Are there any candidates who are not???  NOOOOOOOO!    

    Parent

    Fair enough.... (2.66 / 3) (#8)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:54:08 PM EST
    Something about millionaires asking thousand or hundred-aires for money rubs me the wrong way...it's unsavory.

    Supposed friends of the working class don't bleed the working class.

    But by all means, if sending politicians money makes you happy go for it....I'll stick to drugs and action with my disposable dollar:)  

    Though just the other day I broke my own rule  gave 12 bucks to the Working Families Party who sent a canvasser/fundraiser to my door...but that was just because the fundraiser was nice and humored me during my anti-D&R rant, and I knew she'd get half.

    Parent

    Oh, the corporate donors are purchasing (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by MarkL on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:18:05 PM EST
    their favors from Obama now---didn't you know?
    I hear he is an especial favorite of the insurance and broker industries.

    Parent
    KDog is nothing if not consistent. (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by sweetthings on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:20:01 PM EST
    I doubt you can find a single post of his praising Obama.

    Pols and pols, and he hates 'em all.

    Parent

    No doubt.... (none / 0) (#46)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 05:03:48 PM EST
    the money-changers know which way the wind blows...Obama/McCain and all the media/party appointed frontrunner in the congressional races are getting the lions share now.

    Giving your money to any of them is akin to coporate welfare.

    Not to mention the godly amounts of money they've all spent in this never-ending campaign...if they can't stay within those means they've got serious issues.  It's little wonder our country is in debt up the wazoo and the dollar is worth d*ck...look at these clowns.

    Parent

    I'm on the fence (none / 0) (#17)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:01:54 PM EST
    about millionaires asking for money. Yes, it does seem "wrong", but on the other hand, her supporters who want to help have personal reasons. I also think it's good for keeping people invested in the process with regards to the issues they care about. We want her to keep hearing our voice and to keep fighting on the issues (and hope she gets some of them through to Obama!). Plus, she can spend her time campaigning and fundraising for Obama instead of herself. I would think some of his supporters may want to support that. She's asking her maxed out supporters to give to him along with helping him with her big fundraisers. But that fact may get overlooked by some . . .

    Parent
    Silly issue (none / 0) (#60)
    by oldpro on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 02:19:58 AM EST
    unless we're talking billionaires/megamillionaires.

    You can't run for major office...governor, senator, congress, president without spending millions to be competetive.  That is reality.  So if a millionaire can't ask others for money and wants to run, they won't be a millionaire long when they're done self-funding.

    Parent

    I prob didn't clarify enough (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by nycstray on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 03:17:12 AM EST
    It's more about how it "looks" or "seems"

    that's the fence part for me who is not a millionaire  ;) A big deal is made about certain folks millions (and even if it isn't), when the donation issue comes up, there's some backlash. I have a lot less money and have no problem putting my money where my mouth is, even if it's a millionaire running for office. But "at a glance", it's an uncomfortable visual when you have someone fighting for the "poorer" class who is a millionaire and asking for donations. The reality of the situation isn't really given a fair shot, just the perception as framed by those that have an agenda

    Parent

    There Are Other Reasons (none / 0) (#64)
    by daring grace on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 09:56:58 AM EST
    for Clinton supporters to send donations to help pay down her debt.

    Aside from satisfying their desire to show their support for their candidate, there is the potential for them to register that support in a meaningful way that will demonstrate their numbers and their continuing loyalty.

    There is still chatter in the media and on the blogs about how the disaffection of Clinton supporters might figure in November's outcome. Not to say that everyone who sends Clinton donations won't be voting for Obama or will be voting for McCain. But it could be a potent message if Clinton manages, with the help of thousands of little donations, to retire her debt quickly.

    If I were a Clinton supporter, even with my limited means, that's what I would consider doing it for.

    Parent

    it's all about her (1.00 / 4) (#21)
    by diogenes on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:05:08 PM EST
    Wouldn't it make more sense for the small donors to contribute to Democratic congressional candidates and let Hillary and Bill pay off their own debt with their hundred million dollars and infinite future earning potential (speeches, books, etc)?

    I support individual candidates (none / 0) (#34)
    by befuddledvoter on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:18:23 PM EST
    never a roster of people about whom I know nothing.  

    Parent
    So, (1.00 / 1) (#22)
    by bocajeff on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:05:18 PM EST
    Take whatever donations you were going to give her and give it someone who is in REAL need (like homeless, women's shelters, etc...) and let millionaires fix their own problems!

    This is where the division cuts both ways (none / 0) (#2)
    by anydemwilldo on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:43:09 PM EST
    Sadly, not a lot of Obamaniacs are going to be predisposed to sending a check to a candidates whose supporters routinely call them sexist panderers.  Especially when much (most?) of that late cash was spent on hard-hitting negative ads against their favorite choice.

    I just sent off a contribution, for what it's worth.  I'm just not as hopeful as some here that this will be fruitful.

    How often are Obama supporters called (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by tigercourse on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:49:35 PM EST
    "sexist panderers"? 99.9% of those claims are directed at the media and the Obama camp.

    Parent
    the video is addressed to her supporters (5.00 / 7) (#26)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:08:30 PM EST
    not to those who supported Obama during the primary contest.

    Parent
    I got it in email (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:58:20 PM EST
    so, those who contributed to her campaign and are on her email list are the only ones who she personally approached.


    Parent
    Meh, (none / 0) (#4)
    by sarissa on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:47:32 PM EST
    somewhere out there in a 'stan is man in need of a friend.

    Can I wait and see her FISA statement first? (none / 0) (#30)
    by ruffian on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:13:55 PM EST


    I think that's fair and reasonable (none / 0) (#40)
    by andgarden on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:33:44 PM EST


    Parent
    She has asked.... (none / 0) (#62)
    by Kefa on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 06:45:28 AM EST
    I will help.

    what is Obama suppose to do (none / 0) (#63)
    by MrPope on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 07:40:56 AM EST
    I may just be dumb... but what is Obama suppose to do..  He has to win the GE  vs McCain.  He can't DIRECTLY pay off Hillary's debt can he?  I am sure he can help her fundraise.  Has Obama said he wouldnt help her? If so can you post a link.  I just need it explained to me what Obama is suppose to do to make Hillary supporters not bash him in regards to her debt?

    That's an interesting idea. (none / 0) (#66)
    by illissius on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 10:20:58 AM EST
    By "can", do you mean "legally"? (I have no idea.)

    Hillary 's New Video Seeking Contributions to Retire Campaign Debt | 60 comments (60 topical)

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