Corporate Coziness At The Conventions
CBS News Investigates: Real Ties Between Big Business And The Convention Parties
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Corporate Convention Clout
John McCain and Barack Obama have criticized special interest groups, but major corporations will spend millions at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Sharyl Attkisson investigates.
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Convention Preparations
Maggie Rodriguez chats with Chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer about what to expect from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo.
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Yet the party's just beginning. The candidates' own lavish conventions and invitation-only events may be the ultimate display of the corporate coziness they say they're against, CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports.
To prohibit unfair influence, it's illegal for corporations to give directly to politicians, campaigns or political parties. But under a giant loophole, corporations can give unlimited money to the political conventions.
And the politicians expect it.
Corporations donate to so-called convention "host committees" that are supposed to be bipartisan and separate from the campaign. In reality, they're run by party leaders who produce brochures selling political access.
Corporate clout at the conventions is now so institutionalized and blatant; it's a $100 million business.
"You know, essentially, it's an extortion game," said Steve Weissman, of the Campaign Finance Institute.
Weissman is a campaign finance watchdog who says powerful party leaders drive the convention fundraising machine.
"They go to these companies and they say 'We want you to give us this money,'" Weissman said.
There's no doubt what was for sale when Minnesota's Governor, Republican Tim Pawlenty, appealed to 110 business leaders for donations for the Republican convention.
His talking points, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, said corporate bigwigs would get the chance to "connect with influential government officials ... such as cabinet members, the president, next president."
"He's soliciting donations?" Attkisson asked.
"Yes, he's telling them he expects the Fortune 500 companies to give at least half a million to a million," Weissman said.
Republican sponsorship packages go all the way up to $5 million dollars.Read more at Couric & Co. Blog: Partying With The Parties
Originally, the top package included invites to a "private reception," "private dinner" and "golfing" with Republican leadership. Those perks were later changed to generic language.
For the Democrat's convention in Denver, corporate sponsorship packages start at the "Mile High Plus" Level for $52,800.
There's the "Gold Level:" $250,000 buys "invitations to private events" with key party leaders. That translates into a possible chance to rub shoulders with the likes of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Obama himself.
And the very best benefits go to "Presidential Level" donors of $1 million-plus.
All of which seems to defeat the noble idea of keeping corporate influence at bay.
Sens. Obama and McCain have each said convention finance reform will be a priority should he elected.
But that's for another time. For now - it's party on.
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Read more at Couric & Co. Blog: Partying With The Parties



"America should find out who the oligarchs are who have control of the Federal government, arrest them, and try them for treason."
True, but we are a nation of cowards.
"Super sized Hyper-Capitalism has made slaves of us all!"
Replace the word slaves with cowards.
"Either way we are farked,cbsfan73!"
So true. If we can ever get past being cowards we won''t be slaves anymore.
The US government has given over 100 billion dollars to Israel since 1949. We are talking about one of the wealthiest nations on earth, ranking number 1 in the world for millionaires per capita.
"The US government has given over 100 billion dollars to Israel since 1949. We are talking about one of the wealthiest nations on earth, ranking number 1 in the world for millionaires per capita."
Wrong article, but I suppose it works here too.
"Uh..., I don''t remember right off hand. Is that a trick question"?
"The large corporations have owned Congress and the White House for decades. No surprise that they party hardy at the conventions."
The only reason they own them is because we are to cowardly to do anything about it.
You might as well spit in the face of Jesus.
Thank you for all the personal sacrafices of:
Doing without health care
Working more for less money
Going without a raise
Paying triple price for gasoline
Paying double price for groceries
Training foreign workers to take your job
Sending your children to a profitable war
Paying for the war
Being cowardly citizens
Without all your continuing support, we could not buy out luxury yachts, sports cars, resort homes, etc...
We thank you from the bottom of our wallets. We hope that our relationship always remains the same.
"For the corporation and by the corporation"? Not!
Seems they forgot that their job is to represent the real PEOPLE.
"The large corporations have owned Congress and the White House for decades. No surprise that they party hardy at the conventions."
The only reason they own them is because we are to cowardly to do anything about it.
Posted by cbsfan73"
You are partially correct in your assessment but I think apathy plays a larger roll. End result is the same however.
At least CBS.news had the grace to include the Republicans in this article.
afmca asked:
"When are voters going to throw these immoral, corrupt politicians out and vote in a party that will extract real benefits for Americans for our tax-payer supplied subsidies."
Herein lies the problem folks. Don''''t hand your power over to a political party.
This is the same as poking your own eyes out and asking someone to lead you around.
Can''''t you see this America? No, you can''''t, for you have already blinded yourself, preferring to be lead instead of leading your self.
The solution will come when we stand up and demand the right to vote on issues facing the nation. No longer allowing politicians to vote our consciences.
Only then will the nation be of the people, for the people and by the people.
"You are partially correct in your assessment but I think apathy plays a larger roll. End result is the same however."
People become apathetic due to repeated mental and emotional beatings. They are programmed to believe that they are powerless and thus robbed of their courage. Only when they find courage, will the apathy disappear.
Forget looking towards your political parties for answers and understand that YOU are the solution.
Each political party will receive $17 million in taxpayer funds for conventions.
Forget looking towards your political parties for answers and understand that YOU are the solution.
Posted by cbsfan73 at 11:14 AM : Aug 23, 2008
The problem is precisely the fact that corruption is so rampant.
Nonetheless, the Republicans - as they have avidly demonstrated - are the more corrupt party. To accomplished anything, the Republicans and their corrupting influence have to be removed.
Then we can weed out the corrupt among the Democrats.
Posted by squidly8 at 12:20 PM : Aug 23, 2008"
They are the party of the people; the people with the deep pockets.
"VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE. MAKE A STAND!!!!!!!!"
This is a useless strategy. It simply won''t work because out goes one weasel, in comes another.
The only way is to allow the citizens to vote on the issues. Only a fool allows another to vote his conscience.
What a shame. All because of greed.
and you want to make him PRESIDENT OF THE USA???
Saddleback Church Civil Forum - Obama & McCain 8 of 17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqsH13unGbM&feature=related
Abortion, evil, Obama and McCain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eVomjmCGI
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by trrrorislam1
August 24, 2008 3:39 AM EDT
- HUSSEINs VICE PRESIDENT,,,
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Reply to this comment
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See all 40 Commentshmmmm will it be a TYPICAL WHITE PERSON???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8gnmUyminI
hmmmm will it be one that is clinging to his gun and religion???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNoJ0q6HrK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmv5NZ4zcdc&feature=related
hmmmm will it be one that wants americans to learn spanish???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZprtPat1Vk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7srmHLclw
hmmmm will it be a RACIST like himSelf, hating whitey and jews???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfC4OOm1aoM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI77cU3jsFs&feature=related
RACIST HUSSEIN PICKS,,, RACIST BIDEN AS VP,,, shocker,,,
Obama''''s Racist Vice President Biden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlxXNyIuyTM
BIDEN SAYS NOW,,, HE IS HAPPY TO BE VICE PRESIDENT TO HUSSEIN,,,
"I mean, you''ve got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice looking guy."
: SENATOR JOE BIDEN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxWSVXZVR4c
BIDEN SAYS HUSSEIN NOT READY,,,
BIDEN SAYS HE IS READY TO RUN WITH OR AGAINST MCCAIN,,,
BIDEN SAYS COUNTRY BETTER OFF WITH MCCAIN,,, THAN HUSSEIN,,,
Joe Biden On Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVUPqoowf8