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A (shrillary) fundraiser for Democrats "abroad?" What the heck is that about??
Posted on 10/04/2007 9:07:13 PM PDT by STARWISE
Whoever said it's lonely at the top, it wasn't Bill Clinton.
The former President is constantly surrounded by an entourage of more than 20 bodyguards.
So when he attended a book signing in London on Thursday, he brought a crowd of his own.
The one-time US leader looked like he was auditioning for a part in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs.
The burly men in suits fanned out around 61-year-old Mr Clinton as he went window shopping in Jermyn Street before arriving at the Piccadilly branch of Waterstone's.
Fortunately for the former resident of the White House, they turned out to be heavily outnumbered by 1,000 or so fans who bought his book Giving - How Each of Us Can Change the World.
Mr Clinton stood down in 2001. Former Presidents and their spouses are entitled to be guarded by the Secret Service for ten years after they leave office.
He flew to Britain to attend a fundraising meeting at a private house in Windsor for Democrats Abroad.
His wife Hillary is a frontrunner to win the Democrats' presidential nomination.
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A (shrillary) fundraiser for Democrats "abroad?" What the heck is that about??
Giving, huh? They sure are giving HIM a lot of attention and protection.
Funny. I don’t see thousands of fans. And according to the loony left he is the most popular man in the world.
What would a phalanx of 20 bodyguards cost US?
~~~~~~
US candidates follow money trail to London
Two spouses of leading Democratic presidential candidates - Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama - are to visit London next month to try to tap into an increasing source of campaign funds from Americans living abroad.
With the 2008 presidential elections emerging as the most expensive in US history, Democratic and Republican campaigns are looking across the Atlantic for campaign funds.
In the first six months of this year, US expatriates donated $471,000 (£235,000) to presidential candidates, a report by the Centre for Responsive Politics said, nearly as much as was donated in the entire 2000 election season. Most of the money was raised in London, which accounted for $270,000 of the total.
The biggest beneficiary has been Barack Obama, who raised $194,000 outside the US in the first six months of 2007. Rudy Giuliani, the Republican frontrunner, took in $119,000 in the same period. Hillary Clinton's haul was $51,000.
The focus on London sharpened this week with Mr Giuliani's visit.
Next month Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama are to headline fundraising events. ***Tickets to the Clinton event will sell for more than $1,000.*** The Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich, who is married to a Londoner, also made a recent visit.
By law, only US citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are allowed to contribute to election campaigns. But the 4 million to 7 million Americans living overseas have emerged as an increasingly important source of funds.
"It's not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things but it is definitely on the sharp increase," said Massie Ritsch, a spokesman for the Centre for Responsive Politics. "I think the candidates are looking for money wherever they can find it."
At a press conference in London this week, Mr Giuliani said: "Given the expense of American presidential elections, every fundraising opportunity is important. You've got to take advantage of it."
With the race for the White House in full swing, candidates need to pay for television advertisements, private jet travel and staff. Ms Clinton has led in overall fundraising, bringing in $63m in the first six months of this year, compared with $59m for Mr Obama. Among Republicans, the former governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, is ahead after raising $44m. Mr Giuliani raised $35.6m.
The influence of money over US presidential politics has come under increasing scrutiny after a volunteer who raised $850,000 for the Clinton campaign was accused of extorting donations or secretly reimbursing donors - which is a violation of campaign financial laws.
There is no evidence that the Clinton campaign knew about the activities of the fundraiser, Norman Hsu. (hahahaha)
The campaign has already said it would return the money after it emerged this month that he faced charges of defrauding investors.
But the scandal has strengthened the argument of those critics who believe money plays an outsize role in US politics.
"It does seem like the more money they are raising the more problems their donors are making for them," Mr Ritsch said. "I think it's a result of having to rely on as many people as you can to raise money for you. You don't have the control that a campaign might want."
The guy in the overcoat looks like he’s expecting rain. He even has an umbrella in his pocket! No doubt these guys are professionals in every sense of the word and Clinton is getting the best of care that he as a former President of the United States deserves. HOWEVER - the guy in the overcoat has the expression of someone thinking “Man.... if I have to listen to one more word from this guy’s mouth I may just shoot him myself...”.
The books they could write ................. sigh............
Bodyguard: Sorry Mr. President, I think the kind of window shopping you’re thinking of is in Amsterdam.
Mafioso’s need LOTS of protection, don’t they?
PING~!
100 percent retirement for life.
Free body guards, etc
What a deal!
Same as the common people get.
Right?
Right?
He's always had delusions of grandeur.
"..Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is charged with protecting the sitting president and his family. Until 1997, all former presidents and their families were protected by the Secret Service until the president's death. The last president to have lifetime Secret Service protection is Bill Clinton; George W. Bush and all subsequent presidents will be protected by the Secret Service for a maximum of ten years after leaving office.[19] However, debates in Congress have been raised concerning this decision. Following the increase in terrorism and threats to the president in general since 1997, lifetime protection is being reconsidered..."
Complete waste of taxpayer money. If he’s so universally loved, why does he need protection?
And have any former presidents had the chutzpah to demand 20 Secret Service guys on tap?
Or does he actually pay for some of his security detail out of his own pocket?
I know, I know, stop laughing, you’ll hyperventilate.
Not one of those guys is smiling, and notice how none of them are actually talking to the Toon?
If he’s so universally loved, why does he need protection?
Only needs protection from patriotic Americans!!
“The books they could write”...
I have a portion of a thread that I saved that fits in with your comments - but about Hillary. My apologies to the now-forgotten freeper that originally posted these quotes about a mont or two ago. Anyway -———
______________________________________________________
“We Just can’t trust the American people to make those kinds of choices...Government has to make those choices”(Hillary 1993)
That’s why I am here from the Government and I am here to help. By the way did you know I once talked to Eleanor Roosevelt from the grave, while I was in the White House as First Lady?
******************************************************************
Time to drag out my list of Hillary quotes...if the moderator allows them:
“F**k off! It’s enough that I have to see you s*it-kickers every day,
I’m not going to talk to you too!! Just do your G*damn job and keep your mouth shut.”
(From the book “American Evita” by Christopher Anderson, p. 90 – Hillary to her State Trooper bodyguards after one of them greeted her with “Good morning.”
“You f**king idiot.”
(From the book “Crossfire” p. 84 - Hillary to a State Trooper who was
driving her to an event.)
“If you want to remain on this detail, get your f**king *ss over here
and grab those bags!”
(From the book “The First Partner” p. 259 – Hillary to a Secret Service Agent who was reluctant to carry her luggage because he wanted to keep his hands free in case of an incident.)
“Get f**ked! Get the f**k out of my way!!! Get out of my face!!!”
(From the book “Hillary’s Scheme” p. 89 - Hillary’s various comments to her Secret Service detail agents.)
“Stay the f**k back, stay the f**k away from me! Don’t come within ten
yards of me, or else! Just f**king do as I say, Okay!!!?”
(From the book “Unlimited Access”, by Clinton FBI Agent in Charge, Gary Aldrige, p. 139 - Hillary screaming at he Secret Service detail.)
“Many of you are well enough off that [President Bush’s] tax cuts may have helped you. We’re saying that for America to get back on track, we’re probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We’re going to have to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.” (Hillary grandstanding at a fund raising speech in San Francisco; SFGate.com 6/28/2004.)
“Why do I have to keep proving to people that I am not a liar?!”
(From the book “The Survivor,” by John Harris, p.382
- Hillary in her 2000 Senate campaign)
“Where’s the miserable c*ck sucker?” (From the book “The Truth About Hillary” by Edward Klein, p. 5 – Hillary shouting at a Secret Service officer)
“Put this on the ground! I left my sunglasses in the limo. I need those sunglasses. We need to go back!”
(From the book “Dereliction of Duty” p. 71-72 -Hillary to Marine One helicopter pilot to turn back while en route to Air Force One.)
“What are you doing inviting these people into my home? These people are our enemies! They are trying to destroy us!”
(From the book “The Survivor” by John Harris, p. 99- Hillary screaming
to an aide, when she found out that some Republicans
had been invited to the Clinton White House)
“Come on Bill, put your d*ck up! You can’t f**k her here!!”
(From the book “Inside The White House” by Ronald
Kessler, p. 243 - Hillary to Gov. Clinton when she spots him talking
with an attractive female at an Arkansas political rally)
“You know, I’m going to start thanking the woman who cleans the restroom in the building I work in. I’m going to start thinking of her as a human being”
-Hillary Clinton
(From the book “The Case Against Hillary Clinton” by
Peggy Noonan, p. 55)
What a spectacle, how embarrassing for the USA.
I hope the American taxpayer is not paying for his 20 bodyguards.
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