Aznar used taxpayers’ money to secure medal in United States

[Kellanved]

The Spanish Ser radio station revealed yesterday that while in power the former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar engaged an American firm of lawyers who act as lobbyists to promote his image and collect signatures to enable him to get the Congressional Gold Medal. The contract was signed in secret and was paid for with Foreign Ministry funds. The news has sparked off widespread criticism.

In accordance with the terms of the contract signed with the Piper Rudnick firm of lawyers, the Spanish Ambassador to the United States Javier Ruperez paid 700,000 dollars at the beginning of the year and had undertaken to pay other sums during the following months until the figure of two million dollars had been reached. According to the document, the contract would be broken if Aznar lost the Spanish General Elections last March.

The firm of lobbyists undertook “to assist the Spanish Government in its public diplomacy and communications strategy”. The contract refers to “the consolidation of relations with the White House” at a time when Aznar was continually saying that he had “a privileged relationship” with George Bush.
...
http://www.berria.info/english/ikusi.php?id=673
http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,2763,1267298,00.html

[hatrack]

1. No wonder Bush liked this guy so much!

Another greasy back-door operator, using public money to enhance his standing. How unsurprising.

[Kellanved]

8. yup

But yet the rumor that he lost the election with no fault on his part is persistent.

[LizW]

2. Congressional Gold Medals are for sale?

Nice. :puke:

[UpInArms]

3. what a good thing that this is

not as bad as "selling the Lincoln bedroom"

:puke:

Just sell out the entire country!

[readmylips]

4. I read somewhere that the JT Hayward(?) awards...

I'm sure you've seen many car dealerships, cities, corporations, etc. display these awards. I read that the Awards organization if just a private business promotional agency. Governors throughout the states, spend thousands of tax-payer's money to purchase these awards, fooling the people into believing that these awards are legitimate.

If anything is crooked like the Congressional Gold Medal, you know bush/cheney are profiteering.

[Fenris]

5. You mean JD Power & Associates?

JD Hayworth is a Republican congressman from Arizona.

[Matilda]

6. Guess it paid for bed and board at the Crawford ranch.

n/t

[Renew Deal]

7. You can buy congressional medals now?

:shrug:

[struggle4progress]

9. Congressional Gold Medal Recipients (1776 to Present)

http://clerk.house.gov/histHigh/Congressional_History/goldMedal.html

[Kellanved]

11. thanks

Hard to imagine a sorry figure like Aznar on that list.

[Barkley]

10. And they crticized Clinton for 'renting out' the Lincoln bedroom in the WH

Isn't this how Rome fell?