Buying The President's Ear
The price -- $32,400 -- and a Los Angeles car salesman is paying it to make a pitch about electric cars to Obama at a private Democratic fundraiser next week. Chris Woodyard writes in USA Today:
Paul Scott, 60, says he isn't a rich guy. He's a $50,000-a-year Nissan salesman who plans to rub elbows with 24 bigwigs in a private luncheon that he says will put a crimp in his retirement plans.But he says the goal is worthwhile. He wants to make a few points to Obama about on how to better support electric cars -- a cause that Obama already embraces -- and thought the private audience would be a fine way to do it.
...The fundraiser who sent the email could not be immediately be reached for comment. A copy was provided to USA TODAY, and it includes a menu of choices with prices when it comes to seeing the Obama in person at the June 7 fundraiser in Santa Monica, Calif.
For $10,000, you can be a luncheon guest. For $16,200, you can be a VIP luncheon guest and have your picture taken with Obama. For $32,400, the package "includes an official photograph with President Obama, as well as a very special one-hour roundtable discussion with the President after the luncheon. President Obama will take your questions in a private, off-the-record conversation where you can discuss with him what you'd like. Please note this is limited to 25 people to keep it an intimate discussion, and so will sell out very fast."
Regardless of the propriety, I hope Mr. Scott finds the conversation helpful, and I admire his putting his money where his mouth is, quite literally in his case.
The quasi-official way for us citizens to petition the whitehouse, that is, the internet petitions, have turned out to be a huge bust.
jerry at June 2, 2013 7:53 AM
That's what happens when people elect the party of the rich, the little guy has no voice and....
Wait, I see a (D). Nevermind.
Trust at June 2, 2013 8:13 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/06/02/buying_the_pres.html#comment-3729422">comment from jerryIt's a regular guy taking the route all the lobbying firms do, and little people aren't supposed to have access to power, which is why this is newsworthy.
Turns out they can buy it just like everybody else.
Yes, that's our government -- on sale to the highest bidder.
Amy Alkon at June 2, 2013 9:14 AM
I wonder why this guy is wasting money on Obama. Even if he isn't impeached, the scandalpalooza going on is going to effectively make him a lame duck early.
Jim P. at June 2, 2013 9:26 AM
I hope you're right, Jim. But I can't help but think that the money that Soros put up to get Obaba in office is also going to be the money that allows him to walk away from the mess, leaving it for others to clean up.
Flynne at June 2, 2013 9:44 AM
Jim P., you're indulging in wishful thinking. The simple fact of the matter is, most Americans don't give a rat's derriere.
And after the Clinton witch-hunt that resulted in impeachment of a popular President, Republicans in Congress are not about to shoot themselves in the foot again.
Patrick at June 2, 2013 9:49 AM
I continue to wonder why electric cars require government support.
The Saturn EV-1 was popular with its lessors - you couldn't buy one for some reason - and they were basically confiscated at lease end. I suspect it was because they were practically zero-maintenance, lowering car company profit. Such a car still fills a niche for those who will never use one for travels farther than 100 miles, even with today's technology.
Oh, wait. It's Government Motors, not General Motors. My bad.
Radwaste at June 2, 2013 10:41 AM
And once you're voted out of your fat-cat position, you can sit on a panel and listen to alien-invader anecdotes for $20,000.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/05/congress-testimony-aliens-ufos-venture-star
But that's not why they do it, and it's outrageous you would infer that. Outrageous! It's a mere pittance!
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at June 2, 2013 8:40 PM
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