It's not just fossil fuel lobbyists; it's the state Democratic parties

Here is an interesting Counterpunch article by Margaret Kidder, about the Faustian deal that many 33 states have made with the Hillary Victory Fund. Essentially, the state Democratic parties have made deals to funnel donations to the Hillary Victory Fund, which then distributes these monies as it sees fit. This multiplies the limit that an individual donor can make to a state party committee by the number of states signing on to the deal. Instead of just donating $10,000 to one state per year, a donor can give this amount to all 33 participatory states, and all of that money ends up with the Hillary Victory Fund. Considering that the fund is administered by Elizabeth Jones, the Clinton campaign's chief operating officer, one can imagine where that money is going. More on that later. Meanwhile, understand that all of this is made possible by the 2014 McCutcheon et. al. v. FEC SCOTUS decision, which eliminated aggregate limits on individual political donations.

In theory, this agreement provides a larger pool of money that can go to candidates in these states, for example, Montana (whose Democratic party committee is cash-strapped). For this benefit, these state parties pledged their loyalty to the Hillary Victory Fund. This implies that super delegates from these states have promised their support to Clinton, and it will be hard to break such a promise no matter what the pledged delegate count looks like. This may explain why we have not seen defection of super delegates to Sanders in states such as Maine or Alaska, signatory to the HVF deal, despite large popular vote margins in Sanders' favor.

Think about that. A recent NYT article (cited in the Counterpunch article) proclaims that elected officials in 22 states would not support Bernie Sanders. All 22 of these states took the deal with the HVF. Does this really mean that these super delegates will weigh in to oppose the popular vote if Sanders is ahead in pledged delegates going into the convention but without enough to seal the nomination? This is a chilling prospect for the party and representative government itself. A scenario such as this would surely fracture the party, perhaps beyond repair.

Ironically, all of the states claiming interference by the Clinton campaign are signatories to the Hillary Victory Fund deal. Equally ironic is that the money being pooled by this deal is being handed over to the DNC. Montana, for example received $43,500 from the HVF and transferred it on the same day to the DNC. Other states have done the same with their kickbacks. Thus, this money isn't even benefiting candidates in these states. Not that anyone wanting untainted elections would want to support candidates taking such monies if they had a choice.

For someone who says she'd appoint SCOTUS justices who would overturn Citizens United, Clinton has made no bones about pursuing every angle to take advantage of Citizens United and its sequel (McCutcheon v. FEC) to raise as much as possible. And the people she's raising it from? Uber elite such as "Donald Sussman hedgefund manager from New York ... and NRA and Viacom lobbyist Jeffrey Forbes." A hedgefund manager. An NRA lobbyist. So much for standing up to the gun lobby! Such wealthy donors making such large donations will surely expect a nice return on their investment in the form of policies favoring their interests.

The original article can be found at http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/04/01/how-hillary-clinton-bought-the-lo...". You might want to check out the Counterpunch Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CounterPunch-official-172470146144666/". In the comments, the author provides additional detail about her investigations that led her to these findings.

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I dont see your links in the body of your post. I'm wondering if it's just me.

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Bernindownthehouse's picture

They weren't there initially. I clicked Insert/edit link and it not only didn't insert the link itself, it deleted the text of the URLs. When I left in just the text of the URLs, the links became active. Go figure. It's my first blog here, still learning how this works.

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"Not me. Us."

there are two slots for links. One is for the text and the other is the url. If you high the text and insert the url in the url box and hit OK (save), it will hotlink.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

And I volunteer for this organization?????

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how is the dp any different from the rp? we've been hosed.

i'll vote for bernie if he's the d nominee, & progressive down-ballot candidates, but no one else.

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MsGrin's picture

now and I was BLOWN away by how disrespectful they were at our county convention. The last month has been a real eye-opener for me. Thanks for the links so I can see what role Texas is playing in all of this.

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'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member

hester's picture

and simultaneously destroy the democratic party as it is now. In the long run that might not be so bad. Either that or the rigging is going on now in NY.

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Don't believe everything you think.

which is apparently what it will cost to rid the party of the clinton political machine & neoliberalism--but if that's what it takes, so be it.

as for the primary rigging going on in ny, you can pretty much depend on it. after all, obama got ZERO votes in 80 districts in nyc when he ran against her in 2008!--including charlie rangel's harlem--& nothing suggests this time around will be any different.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

MsGrin's picture

...although I am certain this was NOT his original plan.

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'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member

Thumb's picture

If the Super-delegates give the race to Hillary, real progressives will have a handy list of who to run primaries against.

It would also be nice to think if this happens that Bernie has enough delegates to force a rule change at the convention that does away with Super-delegates.

It would also be interesting if a real Independent party movement takes off.

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"Polls don't tell us how well a candidate is doing; Polls tell us how well the media is doing." ~ Me

How does that work? What's the quantity for "enough delegates to change ruled about stupid super delegates?

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Lookout's picture

If Bernie wins the elected delegates, I think enough superdelegates will come on board. We're already starting to gain some. I'm still hoping for an indictment and all this will be a nonissue.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

MsGrin's picture

...the alternative really is a nuclear option for the party.

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'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member

The first thing that came to mind was Sherrod Brown. I have never seen before so many so-called friends (unions, politicians, orgs) stab a staunch ally like Bernie in the back. Good thing its Bernie and not me because payback is a bitch.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Thumb's picture

"I have never seen before so many so-called friends (unions, politicians, orgs) stab a staunch ally like Bernie in the back."

This was shocking to me too. I was especially galled at Jesse Jackson's non-endorsement. WTF? Bernie stuck his neck and reputation out for him when not a single other nonPoC in congress endorsed him, even helped him win Vermont, and that's the thanks he gets.

Seeing so many unions turn their backs on him had the effect of me trusting Hillary (and the "system") even less, showing just how deeply corrupted this whole thing is. I used to think I could easily vote for either, but not so much after this spectacle of back-slapping. Fuck that system.

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"Polls don't tell us how well a candidate is doing; Polls tell us how well the media is doing." ~ Me

Raggedy Ann's picture

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

and doesn't specify the other 32 states that I can see. Would like to know which!

Sounds like basically (if not legally) a laundering op. The launderer gets a cut. Well, you can see temptation to the state party, having to compete with out-of-state money from deep pockets like the Kochs. But the Clinton organization using it to get around individual donation limits? Icky. Of course similar things are probably done daily on the Republican side. I once back about 2004, out of curiosity, started trying to trace the source of moneys donated to a particular Republican candidate, using the FEC database, and there were so many organizations feeding $ to other organizations -- and even back-and-forth sometimes! -- it seemed an impossible tangle and I just gave up.

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Euterpe2

Bernindownthehouse's picture

Alaska and Maine are also mentioned.

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"Not me. Us."

There's a good piece about the money laundering (which is exactly what it is) going on through that state:
http://pinetreewatchdog.org/maine-democrats-play-middleman-between-wealt...

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Oldest Son Of A Sailor's picture

Democratic Party of Wisconsin D P $207,278
Democratic Party of Oklahoma D P $140,000
Democratic Party of New Hampshire D P $74,700
Democratic Party of Pennsylvania D P $70,500
Democratic Party of Texas D P $69,100
Democratic Executive Cmte of Florida D P $66,200
Democratic Party of Nevada D P $66,200
Democratic Party of Colorado D P $66,000
Democratic Party of Ohio D P $66,000
Democratic Cmte of Utah D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Alaska D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Mississippi D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Montana D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Oregon D P $64,100
Democratic Party of South Carolina D P $64,100
Democratic Party of Tennessee D P $64,100
Democratic State Cmte of Massachusetts D P $64,100
Georgia Federal Elections Cmte D P $64,100
Idaho State Democratic Party D P $64,100
Michigan Democratic State Central Cmte D P $64,100
Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party D P $64,100
Missouri Democratic State Cmte D P $64,100
Rhode Island Democratic State Cmte D P $64,100
West Virginia State Democratic Exec Cmte D P $64,100
Wyoming State Democratic Central Cmte D P $64,100
Democratic Party of North Carolina D P $64,000
Democratic State Central Cmte/Louisiana D P $64,000
Indiana Democratic Congressional Victory Cmte D P $64,000
Democratic Party of Arkansas D P $63,000
Maine Democratic State Cmte D P $59,800
Democratic Party of Virginia D P $43,500

Glad I don't see Connecticut on there...
I would hope the Connecticut Super Delegates follow the wishes of their constituents and follow the primary results or I will put them on my "Permanent Shit List" which is a place that no politician ever wants to land on. The price to be removed can never be paid...

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"Do you realize the responsibility I carry?
I'm the only person standing between Richard Nixon and the White House."

~John F. Kennedy~
Economic: -9.13, Social: -7.28,
Bisbonian's picture

and it is well known...and they have a lot more shit than you (or I ) do.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

kharma's picture

then I think it would be bad for Sanders too. The right will push the meme that Bernie is our second choice because our first choice was indicted, etc. I am hoping for a straight win from Bernie and then Hillary can go do what ever the fuck people like her do.

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There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams

Thumb's picture

My worry all along has been they wait too long on the indictment and then the GOP uses it tar all Democrats as corrupt, or it comes down, Hillary Supporters cling to it being another partisan witch hunt, and the GOP still tars the Dems as not caring about corruption.

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"Polls don't tell us how well a candidate is doing; Polls tell us how well the media is doing." ~ Me

MsGrin's picture

For someone who says she'd appoint SCOTUS justices who would overturn Citizens United, Clinton has made no bones about pursuing every angle to take advantage of Citizens United and its sequel (McCutcheon v. FEC) to raise as much as possible. - See more at: http://caucus99percent.com/content/its-not-just-fossil-fuel-lobbyists-it...

Of course, don't forget the movie which gives the case it's name was to tar and feather HER. Which makes all of the following stories the more odious - you'd do a better job writing it up than I can, I'd bet:

First, I'm sure you've seen what's been written about Correct the Record SuperPAC coordinating with her campaign and the DNC: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/05/12/how-a-su... (and I've written at TOP on this and have the link to the CTR press release there).

But it's these articles about the DNC pushing HARDER than the GOP to expand the purview of SuperPACs which makes me throw up in the back of my throat:
Dems Seek FEC Approval To Use SuperPACS tactics employed by GOP
http://www.allgov.com/news/where-is-the-money-going/democrats-seek-fec-a...

How Dems Learned to Love SuperPACs
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/01/how-dems-learned-love-super-...

Dems Seek to Expand Use of SuperPACs
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/us/politics/democrats-seek-to-expand-u...

Arrrgh!

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'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member

MsGrin's picture

"Corruption is corruption is corruption no matter how many laws there are allowing it. Very few brilliant business people give presidential candidates upwards of six million dollars without expecting something in return. There is a reason they are brilliant business people. Throwing away millions of dollars for nothing is not one of them."

And this apparently IS that Margot Kidder! Glad to see she's doing well. This is an outstanding piece.

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'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member

humanista's picture

wow, talk about "follow the money". Nothing like buying an election, Ms. Clinton. I'm glad I already voted for Bernie in our state's primary before I read this diary; otherwise, I may have been too depressed to get out of bed that day! And here I thought it was only the republicans who made silly-ass pledges. Et tu, state Democratic parties?

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Life is like Disneyland - if you haven't been on all the rides by the end of the day, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Lenzabi's picture

It just shows that the current Dem party elite have truly abandoned the working people, the poor people, and anyone not in their tax brackets or professions of political suck-uppery. They have become addicted to the money that Billionaires and corporations can fork out. The "Founding Fathers" were the original heavy taxers of the rich and critics of allowing the existence of corporations; Today is the proof of their wisdom as to why they did so. Allowing the few to amass so much wealth allowing them to buy government was one of their nightmares (Nobles in Europe came to their minds), and that corporations not disbanding after providing their services growing to such power as to rival government was their other one, the third? a Central Bank, they saw the evils of power bankers.

We need Bernie to unmake the travesty they have created, or at least get the ball rolling, and that we the People, govern via actual service term limits, getting the corporate and billionaire money out, and that we also need to end the career criminality of the revolving door government that has been around for decades

Corporations need to be controlled and corralled and reigned in, held accountable to any nation they operate in, not the other way around. The rich who made so much money in our society can show their gratitude for the opportunity by letting their taxes be higher and stop dodging paying any of them.

Banks need to abide by the laws of the nation, and those laws have to keep them in their rightful place, not allow them the ability to make the rules,

The Rich, the corporations and the banks need to abide by the laws and rules of the People, and our Government needs to be of, for and by the People once more, right now it is of, for and by the Rich/Corporations/Banks.

Such a formula used worldwide might get things to a more civilized society.

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So long, and thanks for all the fish

jamess's picture

a rigged system.

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when they say "Hillary is donating to down-ticket races"???

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Bisbonian's picture

"...and Bernie doesn't!"

Because he's not a real Democrat.

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"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X

More light! More disinfectant.

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