Edwards Camp Cranks Up Attack On "Corporate Insider" Hillary In New Email
John Edwards' internet guru, Joe Trippi, is about to send out a mass email to supporters blasting Hillary as a "corporate Democratic insider" over a fundraiser she's holding today in Washington.
"Guess who's really coming to lunch with Hillary," the email asks, in a reference to a recent contest the Hillary campaign held to choose a donor to have lunch with Hillary and Bill.
Trippi's attack is a remarkably direct shot, hitting her again and again over this event, a fundraiser in D.C. for government contractors and lobbyists in the homeland security industry. The story of the fundraiser was broken last week by TPM alum and ABC News reporter Justin Rood.
"If you want to know why we need change in Washington – and I mean real change, not just trading corporate Republican insiders with corporate Democratic insiders – then just look at Senator Clinton's schedule for today," Trippi's email will say, according to an advance copy we obtained.
"That no one in the Clinton campaign – including the candidate – found anything
wrong with holding this fundraiser is an indication of just how bad things have gotten in Washington – because there isn't an American outside of Washington who would not be sickened by it," the email continues.
The original ABC story reported that the fundraiser raised eyebrows among good government types because it involves people making money off of homeland security and is being held just days after the anniversary of September 11. But one participant in the event told ABC that there was nothing wrong with the event and added that it was valuable to have discussions about national security such as the ones set to happen today.
Edwards has been going all out of late to use Hillary as a foil in his efforts to present himself as the real D.C. outsider in the race and to associate Hillary with the 1990s style Clintonian centrism that still embodies the insider Beltway Democratic establishment.
Trippi's full email after the jump.
If you want to know why we need change in Washington – and I mean real change, not just trading corporate Republican insiders with corporate Democratic insiders – then just look at Senator Clinton's schedule for today.Today at noon, Hillary Clinton will be hosting a fundraiser in Washington, DC for a select group of lobbyists with an interest in homeland security.
Tickets for the Clinton fundraiser are $1,000 a ticket and $25,000 per bundler. And for that money you get more than a meal – you get to attend one-hour breakout sessions in four different areas of homeland security that will include House Committee Chairs and members of Congress who sit on the very committees that will be voting on homeland security legislation.
The American people know that the system in Washington has become corroded and corrupt – that the nation's capital is awash in campaign money from lobbyists seeking to gain influence to impact legislation.
Yet too many in office have fallen under the spell of campaign money at any cost —and do not see that when they defend the system, they are protecting those that have rigged the game that puts corporate profits ahead of the interests of working Americans.
To truly end that game, it's going to take more than a change of heart from other candidates: it's going to take thousands of committed Americans like you who are willing to take on the powerful interests dollar for dollar to elect a president like John Edwards – who has never taken a dime from any Washington lobbyist, and never will.
You may not have $1,000, but your $25, $50 or $100 contribution today – when combined with the contributions of thousands of others who are replying to this email right now—can send a powerful message to all of Washington that the days of trading special interest contributions for government access are numbered:
JohnEdwards.com/contribute
Today's Clinton fundraising event is a "poster child" for what is wrong with Washington and what should never happen again with a candidate running for the highest office in the land.
That no one in the Clinton campaign – including the candidate – found anything
wrong with holding this fundraiser is an indication of just how bad things have gotten in Washington – because there isn't an American outside of Washington who would not be sickened by it.Just last month, John Edwards asked Senator Clinton to join him in taking the Democratic Party on the first step towards real reform – to become the first party to refuse and reject the money of Washington lobbyists.
Senator Clinton refused to stand up to the lobbyist game. But you can send a message today to all of those in Washington that it's time for all Democrats to stop playing this rigged game by contributing what you can today:
JohnEdwards.com/contribute
As John said last month when he challenged all Democrats to reject lobbyist money, we cannot point a finger at anyone in either party for what they did yesterday—or even today—but we can today as a party stop the game, and say once and for all to all Washington lobbyists: your money is no good here anymore.
Help send that message by contributing any amount you can afford to give today:
JohnEdwards.com/contribute
Thank you for all you do.
Joe Trippi
Senior Advisor, John Edwards for President
September 18, 2007
Comments (21)
AJ wrote on September 18, 2007 10:51 AM:Good for Edwards and Trippi, it's pretty clear Hillary's numbers aren't going to deflate on their own. He's giving voters a real choice, and pointing out exactly the things alot of Democrats weren't thrilled with about the Clintons.
Tom Wells wrote on September 18, 2007 11:07 AM:This is great. We need real change, not just corporate Democrats.
FreakyBeaky wrote on September 18, 2007 11:09 AM:So without the slightest irony, they attack Hillary's fundraiser in a fundraising email. Looks like another winning campaign for Joe Trippi.
Will wrote on September 18, 2007 11:09 AM:I got five on it.
mopper wrote on September 18, 2007 11:24 AM:This hits on what I really dislike about Hillary--her ease with the military industrial complex.
Outside the beltway wrote on September 18, 2007 11:38 AM: How is this not a legalized form of bribary?
This seems like paying for access to people who can line your clients pockets?
DJS wrote on September 18, 2007 11:45 AM:I thought the Republicans were the ultimate corporate hacks, but Hillary has managed to one-up them.
Edwards should keep exposing her. She deserves it. She can give cynical speeches behind placards exclaiming "change" all she wants...my hope is that by the time the primaries start, everyone sees her for what she is: A cynical hack surrounded by cynical hacks.
Outside the beltway wrote on September 18, 2007 11:52 AM:if Tom delay organized this the leftists would be going ballistic instead any criticism of pay for play is an "attack"
B2 wrote on September 18, 2007 12:13 PM:Clinton's fundraiser makes me ill. Thank you John Edwards for bringing it to my attention. I somehow missed it in last week's news cycle.
oleeb wrote on September 18, 2007 12:29 PM:IMHO, this highlights one of the biggest problems Democrats have--particularly on the federal level.
No one who claims to be a Democrat and who portrays themselves as being for the regular people of America can serve those people AND simultaneously serve the corporate interests that have raped and violated these very same people shamelessly for the past 30 years. This assault on the American people coincided with the weird transformation of the Democrats in Washington into a party that forgot where it's power and base came from and what their constituents need.
Accordingly, DC insiders in particular have found it difficult if not impossible to support the sort of liberal positions that kept the party in power for decades and kept expanding the support and benefits Americans received in return for their taxes. Why? Because they are so in bed with and beholden to their wealthy corporate benefactors that they are unable to fully and properly represent the interests of the average American.
This little soiree of Hillary's is but one example, but one that brings the situation into high relief for all to see. It makes me genuinely sad and angry that my party has come to this. It used to be that the Republicans were the whores of the business/corporate class.
Unfortunately, nowadays while business naturally prefers the totally passive and pliant GOP whores who will say yes to any perversion they wish, they can still find satisfaction with the higher maintenance, but still compliant Democratic whores if need be. The business people are not to blame here. They are only doing what businessmen and women do, what they have always done and what they will always do in the future. The blame for the situation we find ourselves in lies squarely on the shoulders of all those Democrats who decided to lay down on the finely crafted bed of influence, corruption, and self-interest, thus allowing their corporate masters to have their way with them whenever they want while portraying themselves quite differently to their constituents at election time. Explains a whole lot things when ya think about it. Hillary Clinton and the event in question is not the only one who has been touched by this sickness that must be eradicated if Democrats are ever to regain their soul and identity as the party of the people.
Until that is done, we will never see healthcare for all, quality education for all our children, increasing opportunities for the disadvantaged, and we will continue to fight wars for oil and empire instead of using our military might to leverage a more civilized and humane world for ourselves and our posterity.
OEST wrote on September 18, 2007 12:35 PM:Outside the beltway wrote on September 18, 2007 11:52 AM:OEST wrote on September 18, 2007 12:39 PM:if Tom delay organized this the leftists would be going ballistic instead any criticism of pay for play is an "attack"
Outside the beltway wrote on September 18, 2007 11:52 AM:if Tom delay organized this the leftists would be going ballistic instead any criticism of pay for play is an "attack"
Exactly, which is why, like Jeff Cohen said, the netroots and the so-called "progressive movement" is becoming a paper tiger.
They just sit back and let Hillary Clinton run away with the nomination because she has a "D" beside her name.
Marky wrote on September 18, 2007 12:44 PM:Well, good for Edwards.
I'm a Hillary supporter, but certainly not because of events like this. I think this is a very healthy campaign season, with lots of legitimate criticism ---such as this---going back and forth.
Let's see the winner come out a better candidate for it.
Wow, the Edwards campaign just keeps sounding more and more desperate.
Asher13 wrote on September 18, 2007 12:57 PM:Dem08,
When is it "desperate" to shed light on a truth? Clearly you support Clinton.. However it's also clear that Clinton supports the 'business as usual' Corporate Washington. Edwards and the American people want our government back where it belongs... For the people, that includes you! not the bloated Corporatocracy currently running the show.
John Edwards 2008
"The Peoples President" returning the power back to the people.
Dem08 - actually Edwards message hasn't changed. He's NEVER accepted donations from DC lobbyists.
You know democrats were outraged when Cheney met with lobbyist who were connected to big oil, coal and gas. How is this any different when Hillary has a seat at the same table that these same lobbyist are lobbying for? It is outrageious that any democrat would defend this of Hillary. Are we just trading the same old Bush/Cheny policies for the same ones be it democrats instead of repugs? This is enough to make a voter disgusted with all politicians. Thank you JRE for pointing this out to us.
Unsean wrote on September 18, 2007 3:25 PM:"They just sit back and let Hillary Clinton run away with the nomination..."
How is that the progressive community let anyone, especially Hillary Clinton "run away with the nomination"? I could have missed the last meeting but as far as I know progressives aren't in a position to make a significant impact on decisions like who is chosen for president on in the Democratic ticket, primarily because we aren't a significant enough part of that process (and it certainly isn't for a lack of trying).
As far as I can tell liberals are growing politically stronger and smarter every election cycle, so the power that you seem to assume progressives have just doesn't match up with the reality.
Not yet, but we're getting there.
annefrank wrote on September 18, 2007 4:06 PM:Some of us aren't distracted by the corporate media's shiny new objects.
We also realize that during another Centrist Clinton prez, more Centrists and Blue Dogs will be elected!
John Edwards is telling it like it is!
WooHoo! Go Edwards!
>>>I'm a Hillary supporter, but certainly not because of events like this. I think this is a very healthy campaign season, with lots of legitimate criticism ---such as this---going back and forth.
Let's see the winner come out a better candidate for it.
Apparently, you missed the point! Your candidate's coziness with lobbyists is NOT a better candidate for The People.
Steve J wrote on October 29, 2007 8:53 PM:So why is anyone suprised. Are you really shocked to find out that Hillary is a real politico who can wine, dine, and stab you in the back with the best Dems and Repubs.
Come on people, its a machine and the only protection we have is a divided government where they fight each other for 4 years. God help us if either party controls both the White House and Congress.
They are ALL EGOMANIACS, interested only in themselve at the expense of the rest of us.
