Boston Mayor admits asking city-contract firms for convention cash

Backing off denials that he had lobbied firms that do business with the city to help fund the Democratic National Convention, Mayor Thomas M. Menino now acknowledges he personally asked at least two companies with city contracts to pony up for the 2004 event.

Menino had told the Herald that during fund-raising sessions at the Parkman House, he and U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy placed joint calls to officials from Liberty Mutual Group and State Street Corp.

Donate, And Snuggles The Fabric Softener Bear Gets It!

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794

or you can use

PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD

Sources said Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Menino approached Liberty Mutual Group president Edmund F. Kelly and David A. Spina, chairman of State Street Corp., who quickly pledged $1 million to fund the convention.

Menino said Spina didn't even have to be asked for the funds. ``He just volunteered,'' the mayor said.

Memo to self... turn BS meter to HIGH.

Menino has previously denied asking for convention funds from any company with a city contract. Even as he admitted approaching the companies, he denied impropriety.

``You've got the whole law wrong,'' he said.

Well, he's probably right.. he's a Democrat.

Following the September solicitations from Menino and Kennedy, Kelly wrote a letter promising to contribute $1 million ``over a three-year period in support of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.'' State Street pledged $1 million from its charitable foundation.

The donations from Liberty Mutual and State Street helped convince Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts, another city contractor, to donate $1 million for the convention, according to pledge letters made public by the city.

But.. but.. but.. I thought campaign finance reform was to take all the money out of politics?

Excerpt from Biography of Mayor Thomas M. Menino

The Mayor’s reputation for getting the job done after two terms in office has earned him a high approval rating among Boston residents. Among his priorities: providing every child with a quality education, creating affordable housing, lowering the crime rate, revitalizing Boston's neighborhoods and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all city residents

Well now we know he "gets the job done" by getting cash from local firms. A little "grease" applied in the right places, makes things go smoother.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.