I've been hearing quite a bit about BP money going to Obama and found numerous articles on the subject. Below is a portion of one. So many loyal democrats and anti-Republicans thought it was odd that Obama was, and still is, pushing for more drilling in the Gulf. Now you know why.
By ERIKA LOVLEY | 5/5/10 5:05 AM EDT
While the BP oil geyser pumps millions of gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico, President Barack Obama and members of Congress may have to answer for the millions in campaign contributions they?ve taken from the oil and gas giant over the years.
BP and its employees have given more than $3.5 million to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Donations come from a mix of employees and the company?s political action committees ? $2.89 million flowed to campaigns from BP-related PACs and about $638,000 came from individuals.
On top of that, the oil giant has spent millions each year on lobbying ? including $15.9 million last year alone ? as it has tried to influence energy policy.
During his time in the Senate and while running for president, Obama received a total of $77,051 from the oil giant and is the top recipient of BP PAC and individual money over the past 20 years, according to financial disclosure records.
An Obama spokesman rejected the notion that the president took big oil money.
?President Obama didn?t accept a dime from corporate PACs or federal lobbyists during his presidential campaign,? spokesman Ben LaBolt said. ?He raised $750 million from nearly four million Americans. And since he became president, he rolled back tax breaks and giveaways for the oil and gas industry, spearheaded a G20 agreement to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and made the largest investment in American history in clean energy incentives.? (who cares that Obama received big money from BP for the last twenty years, right?)
In Congress, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who last week cautioned that the incident should ?not be used inappropriately? to halt Obama?s push for expansion of offshore drilling, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of BP?s largesse. Her comments created some blowback, with critics complaining that she is too blas? about the impact of the disaster, even though she was among the first lawmakers to call for a federal investigation into the spill.
As the top congressional recipient in the last cycle and one of the top BP cash recipients of the past two decades, Landrieu banked almost $17,000 from the oil giant in 2008 alone and has lined her war chest with more than $28,000 in BP cash overall.
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SoWal Insider
how so?
because change is what every politician promises.
SoWal Insider
Hope and Change was a great campaign slogan! I have hope and still want change.
SoWal Expert
how so?
Silly Tootsie, didn't you get the memo that once Obama won, all of American politics would magically change?
A unicorn delivered mine. :roll:
SoWal Guide
Obama continues to lead so many millions of people in America to bring the change they want to see and work for. that is the change. for YOU to make. but regarding campaign money and corporations, I believe he is more than committed to make sure we do the right thing for our country, now more than ever... it seems like people are complaining here but have forgotten the biggie handed to us by the Supreme Court this year... corporations and special interests have more power than ever.
I say thanks President Obama for caring about these critical issues. thank you very much.
this may seem a bit off topic but if you have a concern about BP contributing in the past through individuals and PACs then maybe its time to really consider the consequences of unlimited influence and power wielded by companies like BP in the future.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgrL2SFIYlY&feature=player_embedded"]">[/ame]
Weekly Address: "Giving Government Back to the American People"
By Christopher Hass - May 1st, 2010 at 4:22 pm EDT
I say thanks President Obama for caring about these critical issues. thank you very much.
this may seem a bit off topic but if you have a concern about BP contributing in the past through individuals and PACs then maybe its time to really consider the consequences of unlimited influence and power wielded by companies like BP in the future.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgrL2SFIYlY&feature=player_embedded"]">[/ame]
Weekly Address: "Giving Government Back to the American People"
By Christopher Hass - May 1st, 2010 at 4:22 pm EDT
"Recently, the Supreme Court issued a decision that overturned decades of law and precedent – dealing a huge blow to our efforts to rein in this undue influence. In short, this decision gives corporations and other special interests the power to spend unlimited amounts of money – literally millions of dollars – to affect elections throughout our country. This, in turn, will multiply their influence over decision-making in our government.
...What we are facing is no less than a potential corporate takeover of our elections. And what is at stake is no less than the integrity of our democracy. This shouldn’t be a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. This is an issue that goes to whether or not we will have a government that works for ordinary Americans – a government of, by, and for the people. That’s why these reforms are so important. And that’s why I’m going to fight to see them passed into law."
...What we are facing is no less than a potential corporate takeover of our elections. And what is at stake is no less than the integrity of our democracy. This shouldn’t be a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. This is an issue that goes to whether or not we will have a government that works for ordinary Americans – a government of, by, and for the people. That’s why these reforms are so important. And that’s why I’m going to fight to see them passed into law."
Edited
SoWal Expert
Don't get me wrong, I love Obama and am INCREDIBLY glad that McCain/Palin are not in charge. That twit took time off from spreading her blatant lies to proclaim that she still thinks we should keep drilling in the Gulf.
I HATE that SC decision - anyone who thinks corporations and special interests didn't ALREADY have too much influence is drinking the Kool-aid.
I love that Obama is having a special commission investigating this spill - and no politicians or government employees can be involved!
I HATE that SC decision - anyone who thinks corporations and special interests didn't ALREADY have too much influence is drinking the Kool-aid.
I love that Obama is having a special commission investigating this spill - and no politicians or government employees can be involved!
SoWal Insider
Yes, he took a strong position on this. I, and many Americans, believe he should reveal his campaign contributors' books - practice what you preach kinda' thing. I still think the voters will have a stronger position than the Supreme Court decision, however. Rise, Independents!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Lynnie, Do you know the problem with electing Independents? The real independents don't want to belong to a group! They want to be different, like everybody else. Some will even switch from the other two parties in order to attempt to get elected.
SoWal Insider
Yes, the Independents will be born from Democrats and Republicans. But, this birth needs to take place if we will have a balancing third party of any consequence in future elections.
SoWal Insider
Rand Paul is an independent (libertarian) running on the republican ticket who may well end up in Congress. 
In addition to his win in the Kentucky primary, a number of encuments got knocked out recently, including that party switching snake in the grass Specter. Change is a comin' this November!
In addition to his win in the Kentucky primary, a number of encuments got knocked out recently, including that party switching snake in the grass Specter. Change is a comin' this November!Edited
Beach Fanatic
Rand Paul is an independent (libertarian) running on the republican ticket who may well end up in Congress.
The republican establishment in Kentucky found out last night that they aren't as powerful as they thought they were!!!
SoWal Insider
Specter deserved that, IMHO. Here come the Independents! Very exciting!
How long do you think before a Presidential primary/caucus for The Independent Party? Think 2012 is too early? If not, certainly by 2016, we will have three parties! Wahoo~~~~~
How long do you think before a Presidential primary/caucus for The Independent Party? Think 2012 is too early? If not, certainly by 2016, we will have three parties! Wahoo~~~~~
Beach Fanatic
Specter deserved that, IMHO. Here come the Independents! Very exciting!
How long do you think before a Presidential primary/caucus for The Independent Party? Think 2012 is too early? If not, certainly by 2016, we will have three parties! Wahoo~~~~~
I think that Specter would have been easier to beat in November but I sure am glad that he lost. Another establishment candidate goes down the swamp drain
SoWal Insider
I think that Specter would have been easier to beat in November but I sure am glad that he lost. Another establishment candidate goes down the swamp drain
Anti-Establishment!
Beach Fanatic
So a politican is still an independent if they run on the republican (or democratic) ticket?
SoWal Insider
Geo, I think it's all morphing right now. But, in primaries I don't think there is a primary or caucus in states for the Independent Party. Granted, that's just the primaries, but I think the party will be recognized very soon in that respect.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Rand Paul is an independent (libertarian) running on the republican ticket who may well end up in Congress.Is that like saying that Spector is a democrat who for many years, ran on the Republican ticket?
Again, IMO, there isn't much difference between the two parties. They all collect money from big businesses, and they all pay back promises to big businesses.
I generally like the idea of the Libertarian Party, but some of those candidates have some fruit loop ideas about some things.
Beach FanaticAuthor
So a politican is still an independent if they run on the republican (or democratic) ticket?
politicians will run on which ever ticket they think will get them a seat in office. Does anyone really think that Spector really suddenly changed his beliefs this year, and suddenly decided that he had been wrong all these years?
There are many cases of democratic-minded politicians holding Republican seats, and vice versa.
SoWal Insider
So a politican is still an independent if they run on the republican (or democratic) ticket?
For conservative libertarian like Paul, it fits. By knocking out a republican challenger the race is basically limited to two candidates.
The Paul race is signifigant more in that the party establishment candidate lost. The same thing happened with Specter, who had the full support of the DNC. The Bennet race in Utah was similar, and there's a democrat primary race taking place in Hawaii too.
In short - the general mood seems to be... "throw the bums out!"
Edited
Beach Comber
For conservative libertarian like Paul, it fits. By knocking out a republican challenger the race is basically limited to two candidates.
The Paul race is signifigant more in that the party establishment candidate lost. The same thing happened with Specter, who had the full support of the DNC. The Bennet race in Utah was similar, and there's a democrat primary race taking place in Hawaii too.
In short - the general mood seems to be... "throw the bums out!"
I agree. Throw them all out including Obama. His administration has been a joke.
SoWal Insider
I really didn't understand the Specter thing anyway. Was he writing bills and knew they only stood chance if he was on a winning team? Baffling, yet entertaining!
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