I am having a nostalgic moment.
Back when I was living in Philly, there was a huge scandal involved corrupt then-Mayor John Street which was called “Pay to Play.” The general idea of Pay to Play has its own Wiki entry (which doesn’t mention Street, but does cover Illinois Governor Rod Blog Blagojevich).
Today I learned that Organizing for Action officials were caught red-handed selling access to the President. Naturally, it isn’t being reported.
Organizing for Action is revamping its fundraising practices and fired a fundraiser amid questions about whether the group was promising access to Obama administration officials in exchange for donations.
Samantha Maltzman, a top fundraiser for the Democratic group with strong ties to President Obama, resigned from the organization after NBC News obtained emails between her and Dr. Munr Kazmir, a New Jersey businessman, explicitly listing prices to attend a summit last week with the president.
I am hardly surprised. Actually, my dark side finds it strangely reassuring to know that we have a president who can at least be bought.
Politicians who cannot be bought, OTOH, are fine if they are on your side.
But if they aren’t, they’re kind of scary.
Comments
3 responses to “Good old “pay to play””
The problem with Obama is that he doesn’t stay bought.
Why is it that I always dash in her to leave a comment and find that Veeshir’s been here first?
The only good politician is one that stays bought….
I don’t have much going on Kathy.