Friday, April 01, 2016

Hillary Clinton snaps at questioner who accuses her of taking money from fossil fuel companies.

Courtesy of TPM: 

Hillary Clinton appeared flustered Thursday when an attendee at a campaign event in New York state asked her if she would reject campaign donations from fossil fuel companies, responding by accusing rival Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) campaign of spreading "lies." 

"I do not have—I have money from people that work for fossil fuel companies," Clinton said, waving her finger at the woman who asked the question. "I am so sick, I am so sick of the Sanders campaign lying about me. I'm sick of it." 

Greenpeace posted video of that exchange online.

Earlier this same day Sanders said this at a Wisconsin rally:

"We don't represent Wall Street. We don't represent the drug companies or the fossil fuel industry. We don't want their money," Sanders said at the rally.

Before I chime in I wanted to share this comment over at TPM that I thought did a pretty good job of explaining why Hillary was a little testy over this question:  

She's making a distinction between taking money from people who work in particular industries and taking money from the industries (which might still be illegal, I haven't checked this week) or their PACs or trade associations. And on one hand, that's a fair gripe and on the other it isn't. 

The reporting sites do tend to just aggregate all the money by the contributor's employer and report as money from that industry. And in some cases, at some companies, with regard to certain employees, that's true--a hat gets passed among executives at some totally not mandatory cocktail party fundraiser the CEO just happens to be holding to which his senior executives just happen to be invited, and it's understood that the check will be written or the Company will be very unhappy. 

But it's also unfair to assume that everyone who writes a candidate a check is doing it on behalf of, or because of, who he or she works for. Plenty of people write campaign checks because they support positions contrary to the wishes or interests of their employers. If some oil employee believes greenhouse gases are destroying the planet and cuts a check to Hillary or Bernie, it's crazy to think they should send that money back because of who the check writer works for. And I'm not seeing any sign that Bernie does that, btw.

Yes, that's an excellent point, with a better explanation than I could have provided. (NPR says that donations from employees of fossil fuel companies only account for two-tenths of one percent of Clinton's overall donations. Hardly enough to signify that they have some special access to the candidate.)

However putting all of that aside the real problem for me is that it feeds into a certain meme put forward by the anti-Hillary folks, and that is that she is not good with people and overly secretive and defensive.

Much as President Obama could not provide ammunition for his opponents to frame him as the "angry black man" Hillary cannot provided ammunition to characterize her as "a bitch."

As Q would say, "Never let them see you bleed."

68 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:44 AM

    But the point that Mother Jones made summer is that many of her bundlers are lobbyists for the oil industry and they collect money from others in the oil industry. She does not get money directly from oil companies as that is not legal. But according to Mother Jones: "The top lobbyist bundling for Clinton was Jackson Dunn, who represents Mastercard, Dow Chemical, Pepsico, and Noble Energy, a Houston-based oil and gas company. Dunn bundled more than $231,000 for the campaign. He wasn't the only lobbyist with ties to the oil and gas sector who went to work fundraising for Clinton. Lobbyist Ankit Desai, who works for natural gas company Cheniere, raised $82,000. Theresa Fariello, of ExxonMobil, raised $21,200 for the campaign." (from an article on July 15, 2015) Clinton is doing business the way it has always been done and she doesn't like being called out on it.

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    1. Anonymous12:07 PM

      What about the $350,000 for a Clinton speech to Big Pharma? (I know, it's not the oil industry, but won't "Big Pharma" be expecting something?)

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:13 PM

      Hillary haters out in force, you must be very afraid of smart, powerful women.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:25 PM

      Oh for Pete's sake. You want to end this? Fight like hell for whichever Democrat wins, and get rid of Citizens United. There has to be a better way to elect people in this country than for them to need a billion dollars to fight the Kochs off. And didn't her speech money go to the Foundation, not to her campaign? There is a difference, folks.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous1:50 PM

      12:13, yes, and those suffering from acute confirmation bias are out in force, too.

      Also, good use of a red herring fallacy that you added at the end, 12:13. That'll surely put them in their place.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous1:54 PM

      She is probably snappy because she knows she is about to be indicted.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous2:46 PM

      Bernie is using FOX News tactics. Lot's of insinuation but never comes right out and accuses because he knows it's not true. All you have to do is go to Fact Check.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous3:18 PM

      She is not about to be indicted. No one, not part of the right wing believes she is. And Bernie is not using Fox tactics. It is the environmental activists who are pushing her on her oil company ties. She is doing what Democrats have done for years. And the environment is changing for politicians. I'm sure she feels persecuted by the criticism. Green peace asked both Sanders and Clinton to sign a pledge saying they would not accept fossil fuel money. Sanders signed. Clinton did not.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous4:10 PM

      @ anon 12:25 pm
      There is only one Democratic candidate running and I'll make sure I vote for her.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous5:39 PM

      She got paid a speaking fee like mainy public figures do. What exactly do you think went down? A handshake and some evil laughing and rubbing together of palms?

      Delete
    10. Anonymous6:17 PM

      5:39 "What exactly do you think went down?"

      I don't know. If Hillary would release the transcripts of any of her $200,000+ each speeches, maybe then we'd know what went down.

      A friend of mine at Goldman Sachs told me she sounded like she either worked for the company or was pandering for a position there. Let's see the transcripts and then no one has to guess.

      Oh, and no, generally public figures do not receive six figure payments for speeches.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous6:54 PM

      You have a friend at Goldman Sachs? Shameful! Working for Goldman Sachs, he or she must be an evil monster.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous7:04 PM

      We aren't talking "generally," we are talking about a woman who is an ex-first lady, ex-senator, and ex-secretary of state...and on her way to becoming the first Woman president. People at her level get six figures.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous8:49 PM

      6:54 They're not all bad people, and I sadly recall that many members of their families were killed on 9/11 (42).

      The friends that I have there earn fantastic bonuses, but none of them get 300 grand to make a speech; you've got to be a monster of some kind to get those kind of rates.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous8:52 PM

      7:04 You're probably right, that's why they handed her all that money.

      Delete
    15. Anonymous6:05 AM

      You've got to be a monster to earn those rates? What does that even mean?

      Delete
    16. Anonymous6:07 AM

      So, not all people working at at GS are bad, but if Clinton gets money from people working at GS, it shows she is bad? Got it.

      Delete
    17. Anonymous9:41 AM

      Good for you, 6:07, I do believe you've finally figured it out.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous11:44 AM

    As far as I can tell, Big Oil is not one of Hillary's top contributors, but I only looked at both candidates top 20, so either one of them might have donations further down the list. Emily's List seems to be Hillary's top contributor, and Google seems to be Bernie's top contributor. I have been a member of Greenpeace in the past..........I will be very upset with them if they do something that causes the Democrats to lose the election!

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    1. Anonymous12:42 PM

      Oil companies provide funds to ALL the politicians! It's always been in their best interest to do so - for both sides of the aisle.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:37 PM

      YES, and the ones to her and Bernie and all are from donors who WORK for oil companies. I mean, so what? Unless the oil company is telling them who to support, dune threat of their jobs, it makes no difference. Oil companies support a lot of US families. Lots.
      I put down "music teacher' when I donate..anyone checking how many music teachers support Hillary?

      Delete
  3. Anonymous12:08 PM

    She has to apologize for her tone and explain her position. Take person out for lunch. Humanize herself.

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    1. Anonymous12:21 PM

      I agree. Whether right or wrong, exhausted or not, you don't lose it when asked a question from the media.

      Mildred

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:22 PM

      But it's ok for men to yell and be angry?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:27 PM

      Why? Seriously, I don't plan to have a beer with her or SANDERS. Are you asking Bernie to apologize every time he raises his voice? No, because he's just 'passionate.' Hillary gets passionate, and is suddenly shrill, a bitch, and whatever else we call women instead of strong and engaged. And who knows? Maybe she had been asked this same thing by Greenpeace and answered-a dozen times already. You don't know. This was the response caught on camera. I see it as a woman who is getting tired of defending herself over nothing.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous12:52 PM

      It is controlling your brand. It doesn't matter who was wrong, it's the final impression. It would be excellent publicity to show that you are interested in them. Strategy.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous1:07 PM

      To be fair, the music was very loud and she had to shout to be heard. Tat said, why is it okay for men to be loud and not women?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous1:55 PM

      Anonymous12:22 PM
      But it's ok for men to yell and be angry?
      --------
      No, it's not. I want to see control under stress, that's all. It also doesn't do her any good with voters who DO have a problem with her. President Obama never snarled at anyone.

      Mildred

      Delete
    7. Anonymous2:07 PM

      Agree 100% with Anon 12:27PM. Women are held to a different standard. I'll vote for Bernie if he gets it, but Hillary knows all the dirty tricks that the Right can throw at her and she would be way more effective. Can't wait until the nomination process is over and we can all come together and make sure Trump, Cruz, or whoever they slide in at the last minute doesn't get elected.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous2:08 PM

      Exactly 12:52. This is about winning votes. No, no one should need to yell and be angry, men or women.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous3:12 PM

      Anon 12:52: "It's about controlling your brand."

      The branding and packaging of candidates--style over substance--may have ruined politics more than corporate money every could.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous5:34 PM

      Hillary has had control over stress for decades. In sure she gets tired of being confronted with the same thing over and over again. She's human, after all and I thing she's shown Herculean restraint over the years.

      Delete
    11. Anonymous5:44 PM

      Sometimes we wish president Obama would snarl at people.

      Delete
    12. Anonymous5:45 PM

      How much more control under stress does Clinton have to show before you are satisfied. The Benghazi hearings weren't enough for you?

      Delete
    13. Anonymous9:46 AM

      5:45 I don't know about anyone else, but I was truly impressed with Hillary's 11 hour plus grilling by Gowdy Doody and company (even if I do have friends at GS).

      She was absolutely brilliant.

      She may win the presidency in large part due to her performance at those hearings.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous12:40 PM

    I hate watching how the media has been going after Hillary. It's so obvious many journalists and media 'talkers' don't want her to win being POTUS much less win the nomination!

    I hope she is the nominee and wins! She has my support.

    And, I don't blame her for being testy at times...some of the comments are ridiculous and total baloney that come at her.

    Bet she'd love telling them to fuck off! Know I would!

    She's certainly held at a different standard, than Bernie Sanders! You never see anything done by the media that is hateful or anti Bernie! I personally find Bernie boring and he continues talking the same things over and over again with no solution or methods to his attaining success.

    Hillary is far more experienced and knowledgeable in government and has accomplished many things throughout her career.

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  5. Anonymous12:46 PM

    Why would Hillary blame Sanders when the woman complaining was from Green Peace?

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    1. Anonymous1:12 PM

      Because she was parroting false talking points put out by Sander's campaign, that's why. http://bluenationreview.com/hillarys-visible-anger-at-being-smeared-is-an-important-moment/

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:48 PM

      1:12 Thanks for the dishonesty. Since you like links so much, maybe you can go find the one attached to this headline: Sale Of Blue Nation Review Gives Hillary Clinton Camp Its Very Own Media Outlet.

      Putting out a totally biased Hillary source to make your argument renders it worth nothing.

      Delete
  6. 66gardeners12:54 PM

    Bernie Sanders takes $$ from those same people, albeit less than Hillary.

    Sanders has not spent one cent to help down ballot dem candidates.

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    1. Anonymous1:34 PM

      Sanders is beginning to come off as an ass! I'm not impressed with him at all - he's repeated the same things over and over again for the past recent months. He's been in Congress for eons and has accomplished little per review of his record.

      Whereas, Hillary Clinton has accomplished a LOT throughout her years in various areas of government and will be an effective POTUS.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:43 PM

      You're right 1:34. But it he does end up with the nomination, ass or no, I'll support him 100%

      Delete
    3. Anonymous1:46 PM

      And why won't Bernie release his income taxes? So far only 2014 without any schedules. I read were someone figured out his salary since he's been in Washington and it's about 4.5 million dollars...so what's the deal with this? Double standard is alive & well within both parties!!!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous6:31 PM

      1:46 In a way I agree with you, why not release the schedules, too. Then again, if you examine his income tax return carefully (form 1040), it's rather easy for an accountant to see that there's not much on the schedules in the first place, so they're basically immaterial.

      Still, Hillary put hers out there, so Bernie should as well.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous12:58 PM

    Who cares? Hillary is the most capable and competent candidate we have. There is no other choice. If you're not for her, you're a dreamer or a nut.

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  8. Anonymous1:06 PM

    Oooooooh OUCH! An unforced error by Clinton. PLUS, who cares what she is or is not "sick" about. The question is, "Is it true?" She has to be able to answer that in a better-behaved way.

    Sometimes a show of anger can be attractive, but I did not find this attractive. Plus, she just gave the Repugs some effective campaign pix of her: the snarl, the shout, the finger, the curled upper lip. The shouting at a "little person" rather than a VIP. Not good.

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    1. Anonymous1:34 PM

      None of this is true!

      Billary's daughter is married to a guy who works for a non profit.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:53 PM

      !:34 Since when is a Hedge Fund considered a NONprofit? A Hedge fund is all about profit and Mrs. Clinton's son-in-law works for one as a manager as I understand the situation.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:47 PM

      I'm sure you see her as being calculating and cold most of the time.

      Delete
  9. Phyllis2:14 PM

    You'd think Bernie Sanders is the second coming of Christ from all the reports.
    What you get with Bernie is an Independent that doesn't give a fuck about Democrats.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:14 PM

      He's a fucking asshole and always has been.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous2:43 PM

    Delegates ready to flee Trump at contested convention

    If Trump fails to clinch 1,237 delegates outright, already more than a hundred are poised to break from him on a second ballot.

    http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/trumps-uphill-delegate-scramble-221443

    The #NeverTrump Movement Could Have A Big Day In Wisconsin

    A Cruz win would help pave the way for a contested convention.

    Wisconsin’s GOP primary may be crucial for Republicans hoping to stop Donald Trump from clinching the nomination outright, with recent polling giving them hope that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) could pull off a significant win.

    The state has 42 delegates up for grabs, with 24 awarded by district and 18 going to the statewide winner. Even if Cruz wins by a small margin, he’ll automatically take all 18 state delegates and likely a good portion of district level delegates. That would probably keep Trump below the level he needs to win a majority before the Republican convention.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/wisconsin-trump-cruz_us_56fe98c5e4b083f5c6078165

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous2:47 PM

    ‘Earthquake Election’ Destroying GOP Predicted After THESE Poll Numbers Were Released

    For months concerns have been expressed about the ability of the Democratic Party to duplicate the voter enthusiasm expressed for President Obama in his successful 2008 and 2012 campaigns. Getting historic turnout among young and black voters was seen as the most difficult task facing whoever becomes the Democratic nominee, whether it is Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.

    But now a new poll from Democracy Corps shows that the Democratic secret turnout weapon may be embedded in the Republican Party: Donald Trump.

    http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/04/01/earthquake-election-destroying-gop-predicted-after-these-poll-numbers-were-released/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous2:55 PM

    Hopefully, the President represents and is accountable to all citizens, even those who work for oil & gas, big pharma, big agriculture, Wall Street, etc. companies. So what if those citizens donate to candidates. I'd be genuinely concerned about a candidate who refused to accept donations from certain categories of people based on employment.

    And, yes, Bernie Sanders has received about $50K from oil & gas people.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous3:04 PM

    But Trump has a problem with both white and non-white women, polls show. And it could lead to a yawning gender gap — and a likely Trump loss.

    Head-to-head polls of registered voters released this month — all of which put Trump significantly behind Hillary Clinton overall — show massive Clinton leads among female voters. A Quinnipiac University poll placed Clinton at 16 points ahead of Trump among women. Clinton also led among women by 19 points among women in a Fox News poll, and by 27 points in a CNN/ORC poll.

    http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/donald-trump-women-unfavorable-ratings-221433

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous3:23 PM

    WTF is April fools without a rill Palin piñata? Ole!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous4:01 PM

    I like Bernie, he's so damn honest and transparent. Someone wrote him a check, and he asked them if they drive a car or use gas or oil to heat their homes, and he sent the check back on principle alone. That shows you he's a man of his convictions.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:15 PM

      If he's so honest them ask him to release his tax returns like HRC and others have done. So far only 2014 return with NO schedules included! And why not take the time to figure out how much he has made in the 26 yrs. in the Congress at $174,900.00, It totals $4,547,400.00 just in case you didn't want to figure it out. Wouldn't you like to make that amount in 26 years? Don't get me wrong if he is the Democrat nominee I will support him but I'm a HRC supporter.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:35 PM

      Nice tongue-in-cheek comment. May be too subtle for some.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous6:04 PM

      It made me smile.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous4:42 PM

    She's probably a little testy because 12 fucking FBI agents are working full time to bust her. The FBI doesn't like to see their time and money go to waste. Ya know if a certain ex Gov had 12 FULL TIME agents investigating her we would be hearing from Gryph how indictments against Sarah would be coming soon. The Billary downward spiral just continues but that's to be expected when you're little more than a phony bitch

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:04 PM

      You're a sad little man.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:02 PM

      4:42 Hillary's not worried about any investigation because she knows she's got nothing to worry about.

      6:04 I think you're looking for the Todd Palin thread, that's more your speed.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:26 PM

      How is a current FBI investigation, solely put together to investigate her emails, her server, her handling of classified documents, her direct orders to others regarding handling of classified documents.... nothing to worry about? It is not about anything else other than Hillary and her mistakes. You don't have to try and cover for her, she is worried.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:00 PM

      9:26 Dream on.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous7:38 PM

    A little reality check:

    Feel the Math

    To overtake Clinton in pledged delegates, Sanders would need to win by about a 13 point margin from here on in:

    http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/feel-the-math/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous7:45 PM

    This is brilliant, Gryphen

    An Iowa Teenager Just Shut Down Chuck Grassley’s Supreme Court Argument

    ...That’s because he’s a lame-duck politician, too.

    “You, as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, carry significant power in determining who gets to become the next Supreme Court Justice,” Smith writes. “But senator, since you, too, are in an election year, how can you possess the authority to make a decision that will affect the future of our country if ‘the people have not yet spoken?’”

    “Following the direction of the Republican’s logic, I politely ask you to step aside as chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee until the elections take place,” he continues.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chuck-grassley-supreme-court-nominee_us_56fe990de4b0daf53aef7bc9

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:09 AM

    Since it a question is from a Greenpeace activist, maybe take a look at things from their perspective:

    Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Super PAC supporting her have received more than $4.5 million from the fossil fuel industry.

    http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaign-updates/hillary-clintons-connection-oil-gas-industry/

    The tentacles of this octopus go deeper than just the money. Very enlightening read.
    .

    ReplyDelete

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