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By John Riley
Following the excellent links in this Huffington Post story on Bill Clinton's ties to Colombia and lucrative trade-related speaking fees, we find:
In May, 2007, Colombia -- looking to overcome Democrats' resistance to a free trade deal -- hires Mark Penn's firm, Burson Marsteller, for $300,000. Penn is Hillary's chief strategist at the time, and the hiring is publicized.
In May, 2007, Colombia -- pursuing the same goals -- puts the Glover Park Group, partly owned by Hillary spokesman Howard Wolfson, on a $30,000 a month retainer. Wolfson is already working for Hillary, and that deal is also publicized.
In May 2007, Colombia announces plans for a gala in June to honor former President Bill Clinton, with President Alvaro Uribe (left) to honor Clinton with a "Colombia is Passion" award in return for his support. While Al Gore backed out of an April, 2007, event with Uribe because of his opposition to Colombia's human and labor rights practices, Clinton attends the June gala, and says in his speech, "We need to remember that we are friends."
Hillary did not attend the gala, and came out in opposition to the Colombia free-trade agreement in November. So, she can reasonably argue that Colombia's efforts to work Clinton connections didn't influence her -- "Senator Clinton is the candidate for president and she is a clear and firm opponent of the Colombian free trade agreement," her campaign said today -- but she can hardly argue that she was unaware of them.
So why did she act shocked last week when the Wall Street Journal said Penn met with Colombia on the trade deal? What was going on that she didn't already know was going on?
We're still skeptical about the significance of this story to ordinary voters. But if Penn's demotion was supposed to suggest to her blue-collar labor base that she was shocked and surprised that a top aide was working for Colombia, it just won't wash. The ties of Colombia and Clinton Inc. seem to have been pretty open and obvious.
It was hardly a secret.
John Riley writes Newsday's "Spin Cycle" blog
Comments
What is significant about this story is that Penn, Wolfson and Bill Clinton all have backroom deals going on with Columbia that are in opposition to Hillary's stance on free trade. So it appears that she is saying one thing publicly, yet everyone she is close to is doing the opposite. That is significant to all voters.
Posted by: Grandblvd03 | April 9, 2008 8:51 AM
First of all, the hypocrisy of the Clintons should not be news. To anyone with a clue, that has been known for decades. Regardless, though, on the subject of free trade, I do happen to agree with Bill Clinton. Will the Tribune, with its anti-free trade objective of its reporters, note that 8,600 jobs at two Catepillar plants in Illinois depend on free trade with Colombia? Or are the Tribune reporters more interested in ending those jobs so they can write more stories about lost manufacturing jobs and an economic recession? Why do so many Tribune reporters hate so many Americans so badly that they want Americans to lose jobs?
But, I am also trying to figure out why it amazes me that so many Swamp items, Tribune stories (or sister Tribune publications), etc. get their origination from Left Wing websites and blogs such as The Huffington Post and Media Matters.
And, I am trying to figure out why that is OK with Tribune editors.
And, finally I am trying to figure out why the Tribune even matters anymore as a legitimate newspaper. Basically with the strong desire of so many Tribune Co. employees to see Americans lose jobs and the fact most Tribune reporters get their news and marching orders from Far Left website shows just how corrupt and inept the Tribune Co. has become.
Posted by: John D | April 9, 2008 8:52 AM
What you didn't report was the information in the Huffingtonpost that "In June 2005, (Bill) Clinton was paid $800,000 by the Colombia-based Gold Service International to give four speeches throughout Latin America." So now, is Hillary going to fire or demote Bill? Disregard the fact that she and Obama are demonstrating their economic ignorance by opposing free trade which has been proved to create many jobs in the U.S. The sad fact is that Bill not Hillary is right about international trade.
Posted by: Sarah | April 9, 2008 9:19 AM
Something so wrong with Mrs. Clinton surrounding herself with people (husband, Penn, Wolfson) that do believe in free-trade, yet saying she doesn't believe in it anymore...c'mon you guys in the press just are letting her off the hook on this one so bad...
Ok, ok...so can we assume that part of those $800,000 given to Bubba for free-trade with Colombia were part of those $5million she put in for her campaign!?
Posted by: Gary | April 9, 2008 10:58 AM
Why she acted shocked? Because she had to if she wants to win the nomination.
Posted by: Adi | April 9, 2008 11:19 AM
Why don't you dig up the dirt on Obama and his true connections to the wetherman in Chicago? He makes backroom deals all day long and everyone in the media closes their eyes. You want to know why? The Republicans know gthey can't beat Clinton but they can beat Obama in Nov.
Posted by: Valrie Sommerville | April 9, 2008 12:55 PM
So Hillary got huge headlines because she sorta, almost, kinda, but really didn't "fire" Mark Penn who is still a senior spokesman for her campaign.
And Bill got $800,000 for pushing the Colombian trade agreement that she allegedly does not support and allegedly is now surprised about? Riighttt.
Hillary and company was just praying this double-dealing would never be exposed. Another reasons why the "Tax Returns One Could Xerox" took so many months to appear - in hopes that the voters of PA would never know the truth and be suckered like the voters were in OH.
Shame on YOU, Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: Earl | April 9, 2008 2:15 PM