Obama donor disappointed by lack of access

[Enrique]

forgive me for completely changing the emphasis from what I originally posted, but the story here imo is that this donor did not get the access he hoped for. Please read the whole story, it's interesting...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/13/obama-campaign-arm-advise_n_875986.html

(...)

The donor, Ed Haddock, the CEO of Full Sail University, a for-profit technical college in Orlando, was set to meet with top aide Pete Rouse, according to the memo title, though when that meeting would take place is not clear. Haddock served on the Obama for America National Finance Committee and was a "bundler" for president during his 2008 run for the office, helping raise more than $200,000. He was viewed by the memo's author Jessica Clark, the Obama campaign's finance director in Florida, as a key figure for the Obama campaign in that critical state.

But his support for a second run was not yet confirmed, owed likely to disagreements with administration policy. According to the memo, he he stopped being "helpful" in 2009 and is currently being courted by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

In an attempt to keep him in the proverbial orbit, Clark suggested a bit of ego massaging. As the memo reads:

It is important to understand this meeting is NOT about educational student loans, though that information is below," read the memo, whose authenticity was confirmed by Obama officials. "Rather, Ed needs and wants an ongoing point of contact inside the White House to periodically give input. From his view, he is CEO of four different companies and has the ability to give business and economic ideas above and beyond the average check writer. But when he has attempted to do so -- primarily on the education issue but not exclusively -- there has been no way in. Indeed, he feels like the White House is hostile to outside help, especially if it comes in the form as help from business. YOU should engage Ed on his concerns and tell him you want an ongoing relationship that seeks to hear his ideas and concerns, even if in the end we don’t always agree.

The memo offers a rare window into what top aides clearly believe is a hurdle facing the president. While Obama's road to the White House in 2008 was paved with promise, his efforts to win a second term rest, in large part, on convincing the disappointed not to jump ship.

(...)

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. Not excusing this filth, but really, with Citizens United, how can we compete

against the Right who has most of the money? It's disgusting, but I see no way out... :(

[ClarkUSA]

2. So? The donor isn't happy & needs ego-stroking; this WH isn't selling nights in the Lincoln bedroom.

From the OP article:

'he stopped being "helpful" in 2009 and is currently being courted by ... Mitt Romney'

[Jackpine Radical]

3. What's his price?

What is he hoping to buy with his campaign money, wherever it goes?

What principle is Obama willing to sell out to keep the money coming?

[ClarkUSA]

5. Whatever it is, the WH ain't selling access like the Clintons did.

According to the OP source, there's been talk about some ego-stroking for the spoiled asshole donor, but that's hardly an OUTRAGE.

[JohnnyRingo]

4. I donated what I could afford at the time.

That amount was $50 plus some t-shirts and I later received a "kitchen cabinet" postcard. I thought I got great "access" for my donation.

True, this donor gave much more, but my $100 total caused as much financial hardship for me as his did, so fuck him.

I also enlisted three voters who had never before registered. That means like all good Democrats, I voted multiple times LOL.

[ClarkUSA]

6. "fuck him" That's right. The WH is not selling access. That's what is pissing off this donor.

:thumbsup: