Political Idols of The Day: Young Dems Who Turned Down $1M Bribe

Posted by Brian Fairbanks

 

Surely this race is beyond any previous level of intensity when one candidate's supporter offers students a $1,000,000 "donation" to their political organization in exchange for an endorsement...

Naming the candidate who's major donor reached out to the Young Democrats of America would sound like an attack. After all, it's not the candidate or even the campaign that's to blame, but the desperation of each Democratic candidate's supporters to end the race that is so telling here. The story, via the Huffington Post, minus identifying details:

Haim Saban, the billionaire entertainment magnate and [...] supporter, denied the allegation. But four independent sources said that just before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, Saban called YDA President David Hardt and offered what was perceived as a lucrative proposal: $1 million would be made available for the group if Hardt and the organization's other uncommitted superdelegate backed the Senator.

Nevertheless, the group declined the overture. A YDA official cited moral reservations as well as the overwhelming consensus of its members to [not necessarily endorse that particular candidate - Ed.]

We discourage you from finding out the name of the candidate NOT involved, although we must link to the story anyway, to cover our asses. (If you do cave and read it at the Huffington Post, make sure to read all of it, including the final paragraph.) 

Clearly, this man will be played by one of our favorite Deadwood stars in the Hillary Vs. Barack TV movie:

 


Comments

echo said:

Brian, your Hillary crush is now just embarrassing.  "make sure to read all of it, including the final paragraph"....  

NEWSFLASH:  All of the leading Democrats give money to other Democrats who (shock of all shock) make up the superdelegates in the (wait for it...)  Democratic party.  Edwards does it.  Gore does it.  The Clintons do it regularly.  It's called politics.  It's how we help support underfunded Democrats in their election pursuits.  Republicans do it too.  There's nothing nefarious there.

This story, on the other hand, is not about election time support for fellow, like-minded politicians.  It is about a Hillary surrogate attempting to bribe someone for a vote.  Those are two very different things.  While I don't think Sen. Clinton had knowledge of this tactic, it tangentially involves her.  I can safely say this story is not about Sen. Obama.  Yet, you would try to go there anyway???  That's just wrong.

BTW, The *race* you keep mentioning has been over for some time...  Has the news not reached New York yet?

May 20, 2008 1:46 PM

Maxwell Hammer said:

Lovejoy for president!

May 20, 2008 10:38 PM

About Brian Fairbanks

Brian Fairbanks, the Senior National Political Correspondent for Nerve, is a filmmaker living in Brooklyn or New Orleans, depending on the season. He is a heavily-armed advocate of gun control.

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