NYC Letter: The Genius Of Campaign Barry -- The Blue Denim President

Day 1,091 of CHOPE

Super Aching Hypocrisy Edition

We recognize the phoniness of electoral "class warrior" posturing. [Music cue: Mechanical rendering of Copland's Fanfare For The Common Man.] It is a privilege to serve. Defend the middle class. Give the little guy his due. Fight special interests and sweetheart deals and Wall Street and big money in politics. [Music out.] Yeah.

Most "class warrior" politicians do their hob-nobs with the monied class discreetly. If it means coming up a dollar short though, Team Barry can't bothered.

OBAMA MAPS OUT
'WARRIOR OF WORKING CLASS'
MESSAGE

December 31, 2011 (ABC News) - The president will continue to claim the mantle for “warrior of the working class” in 2012 in stark contrast to the public perception that Republicans in Congress are backing millionaires, not the middle class, a senior White House official tells ABC News.

And that message will be carried through President Obama’s reelection campaign next year. "We’re going to be doubling down on our commitment and our message in terms of fighting for the middle class," Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters covering the president in Hawaii.

Some double down.

VENUE FOR OBAMA'S CONVENTION
SPEECH DRAWS CRITICISM

January 17, 2011 (MSNBC) - The Democratic Party's decision to move President Obama's acceptance speech to the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte has surprised some party activists -- and stirred criticism -- over the use of a venue named for a company that has been at the center of the financial crisis.

"God almighty, I can't believe it." said one top Democratic fundraiser when he learned of the decision to move the speech to Bank of America stadium, where the NFL Carolina Panthers play their football games. "This is an amateur’s mistake."

Convention officials vigorously defended the decision today, saying the use of the open-air 74,000 seat stadium would help excite supporters and enable far more people to see the speech, "That allows for greater participation by Americans from all walks of life," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.

But party officials privately confirmed that the move can help with fundraising despite what one called "an obvious optics" problem. And the use of a stadium -- whose naming rights belong to a bank that has been engulfed in controversies over foreclosures, bank fees and bailouts -- was denounced by some watchdog groups.

"It's a surprising and disappointing choice," said Mary Boyle, vice president of Common Cause. "Bank of America is the poster child for corporate greed and corporations out-of-control. The president would be better served by choosing a large public space with no corporate logo attached to it."

... Democratic officials have emphasized for months that this year's convention won’t accept money from lobbyists and corporations. "This year, we are setting a new standard for how conventions are funded. No longer will it be sponsored with money from corporations, special interests, lobbyists and political action committees," the host committee states on its website.

Say what?

But the choice will enable the Charlotte Host Committee -- which is charged with raising the $36 million needed to pay for the convention -- to offer access to the stadium's plush skyboxes as part of a package deal of perks it has put together to entice wealthy donors and fundraisers.

Suzi Emmerling, a spokeswoman for the host committee, confirmed a Bloomberg report that those deals -- presented to Washington lobbyists last month -- include an escalating menu of packages starting with the $1 million "presidential" level. Those who buy in will receive a "premier uptown hotel room," a "platinum events package and "concierge services." Another $500,000 "Gold Rush" level includes hotel room, credentials and a "premiere events package."

... A separate convention "Hospitality" committee -- operating under the name New American City Foundation -- is also directly accepting corporate and lobbyists' money to pay for the parties and other events that are often attended en masse by delegates, members of Congress and reporters.

Mr. Obama, the class warrior -- of the monied class, fighting the money fight.

BARACK OBAMA CASTS HIMSELF
AS CHAMPION OF THE POOR
AS HE COURTS HOLLYWOOD
President Barack Obama Sought To Revive His Reputation
As The Champion Of America's Poor On Monday,
Before Heading To Hollywood To Collect Crucial
Re-Election Donations From Millionaire Supporters.
NEW YORK October 24, 2011 (Telegraph)

OBAMA BACKERS TIED TO
LOBBIES RAISE MILLIONS

WASHINGTON October 27, 2011 (NYT) - Despite a pledge not to take money from lobbyists, President Obama has relied on prominent supporters who are active in the lobbying industry to raise millions of dollars for his re-election bid.

At least 15 of Mr. Obama’s “bundlers” — supporters who contribute their own money to his campaign and solicit it from others — are involved in lobbying for Washington consulting shops or private companies. They have raised more than $5 million so far for the campaign.

MEDIA BURIES OBAMA
SELLING ACCESS AT $45,000 PER DONOR
CLOSED-TO-PRESS $1.1 MILLION FUNDRAISER
BLOG January 10, 2012 (investmentwatchblog.com)

Campaign Barry wants you to believe when Mr. Obama takes big money from the money class all they get in return are gruff thanks and a sharp stick in the eye. Campaign Barry thinks you will believe this because you are this stupid.

AS REGULATORS PRESSED CHANGES,
CORZINE PUSHED BACK, AND WON
November 3, 2011 (NYT)

Mr. Corzine came by his influence by reputation, elected office and -- raising boatloads of money for Mr. Obama.

National politics remained a focus of Mr. Corzine after he joined MF Global. He pitched in to help raise money for President Obama — who had campaigned for Mr. Corzine during his re-election bid for governor.

Mr. Obama’s first major re-election fund-raiser in New York was held at the Manhattan home of Mr. Corzine’s wife, with tickets going for $35,800 each. And Mr. Corzine was one of the president’s most elite bundlers, supporters who tap friends and business associates to bring in checks: He has helped Mr. Obama raise more than $500,000 this year.

OBAMA'S FREQUENT-DONOR
REWARDS PROGRAM

January 16, 2012 (Politico/Reuters) - President Obama's reelection campaign is doubling down on the popular speaker series it launched last year, creating "leadership circles" that allow maxed-out donors to attend pizza parties, strategy sessions and campaign events, Reuters reports today.

Eager to widen its donor base, the Obama campaign is using its team of top fundraisers and donors to distribute marketing materials to thousands of potential top-dollar donors across the nation. Those among them who donate $5,000 — the maximum legal contribution to a presidential candidate in the 2012 cycle — will gain a stream of perks large and small, sources said.

The effort expands on the speaker series, which granted participants something of a season pass to attend monthly events featuring top administration officials, including senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, among others.

Schmoozing the rich for you, little plebe, for you.

CHOPE.

Blatancy.

Posted by Damian at January 17, 2012 11:45 PM