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AFTER 2012
Who'll Head The State Dept. After Clinton?
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TERRORISM
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INTERNET FREEDOM
China Angry Over Clinton's Speech
Already, donor issues
Posted By Megan Carpentier
Friday, January 23, 2009 - 2:56 PM
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Although the Clinton Foundation disclosure concerns kept only two senators from voting to confirm Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, Ken Silverstein at Harper's Magazine unearthed some of the backstory of foundation donor Gilbert Chagoury. According to the foundation's disclosures, Chagoury is a $1-5 million donor and, according to Chagoury's site, he's a wealthy philanthropist and "the economic adviser to the West African country of Benin and as Saint Lucia's ambassador to UNESCO."
The rest of what Silverstein unearthed is less flattering, and probably makes Chagoury the kind of donor that Sen. Richard Lugar was talking about when he criticized the foundation for accepting foreign donations and demanded stricter and more timely disclosure requirements.
But what we don't learn is that Chagoury has been involved in a number of major international scandals, and that he was especially close to Nigerian General Sani Abacha, who seized power in a coup and ruled from 1993 to 1998. During those years, Chagoury received oil concessions and large-scale government construction contracts, and allegedly offered Abacha help with his financial affairs.
After a civilian regime took charge, Chagoury reportedly paid the Nigerian government $300 million in exchange for a written agreement that he would not be prosecuted.
That's not good. Silverstein, though, has more. Chagoury helped arrange a speaking engagement for Bill Clinton that netted Clinton $100,000 and attended both Bill Clinton's 60th birthday party and Clinton aide Douglas Band's wedding in France last year, making him look rather like a personal friend of at least Bill.
Like any good reporter, Silverstein followed up with the foundation to get more information on Chagoury, much like any reporter might do when researching a donor tied to some issue facing Hillary Clinton in her new role. What he found wasn't promising.
My researcher Ellie Parkinson sent the Clinton Foundation an email a week ago. She asked for the exact date and amount of each of Chagoury's contributions, and if the Clinton Foundation vetted donors. ... She also asked about Chagoury’s personal friendship with President Clinton (and if it extended to Senator Clinton) and if accepting donations from such controversial sources raised potential conflict of interest issues if Senator Clinton is confirmed. The foundation initially suggested it would reply to the request for information, but since then has provided nothing.That makes Lugar's suggestions start to seem prescient already, and Clinton's been Secretary for just over 24 hours.
And those donation have what to do with what she's doing right now? Zero
Do supposed democrats/liberals ever stop hating on the clintons? yes she has an illustrious career and has been involved with controversey, but that doesn't change that hillary clinton has worked tirelessly for others in her career, inspired millions based on her record and her strength and all you can do is try point fingers. Isn't it time to get over it? Who are all the other people you persue and pick apart tirelessly?
I've never seen any other politician nitpicked at so much in my almost 40 years on the planet. I'd say something like 80% of the hillary hate came from Republicans, and to see so called democrats/liberals jump on the bandwagon to the extent that they are is just revolting. Do you realize that you are following the path of some of the ugliest republicans to ever litter this earth? And what has she ever done to you.
you say..."much like any reporter might do when researching a donor tied to some issue facing Hillary Clinton in her new role."
would this be "much like any reporter might do" in researching the background, eligibility and associates of a presidential candidate??? Because I never saw ANY serious research by reporters of Barack Obama...I would think his position is a bit more important and vital to our country's security than even Hillary's. I agree with the commenter Anne, when she says..."I've never seen any other politician nitpicked so much."
Anne and Jeleanoro said it all for me.
Anne et al- I totally agree and have blogged ad nauseum about the same-
glad to find this blog where we can celebrate Hillary's accomplishments.
Hillary has worked her butt off her entire life- and she sure looked like she was ready to be full steam ahead when I saw her yesterday-
In poor contrast, Obama looked as unprepared as ever when talking about his executive order.
Oh well, time to focus on and celebrate Hillary
Slate's little site Foreign Policy seems rather silly -
200,000 donors to the Clintons and you find a donor to talk about? WOW - you are cutting edge with you scoop! Did not see Slate ever question one thing Obama in the primary or the election - but I guess you still have your HillaryHate to keep you warm so you don't need to do serious reporting.
How does this relate to Hillary?
1) I don't see evidence this particular donor has any ties to Hillary. Hillary is not Bill.
2) It's future contributions that will be monitored extremely closely. Past ones are water under the bridge.
3) With all the digging everyone is doing into these 200,000 donors, the most anyone can come up to write about are a handful? Wow.
No amount of concessions made by the Clintons would stop these kinds of stories because they refer to PAST donations. How do we know the safeguards they agreed to won't prevent controversial donations in the future? That's the only think that matters.
of the kids in Africa with AIDS who get aid , the Clinton Foundation is good for 2/3's of that aid. This is a charity..... many seem to find that a incomprehensible concept. I would take money from the devil himself if it helped these kids.
Madam Secretary is an obsessive blog about all things Hillary Clinton. From her policies to her pantsuits, Madam Secretary delivers up-to-the-minute news, analysis, and gossip about America's top diplomat.
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