Republicans went through the Clintons’ finances in the 90s. They couldn’t find anything substantive, so their investigation morphed into the Lewinsky hearings.
Look, we had a Dem gov done here in Alabama who is in the Federal Pen for appointing a guy to a non-paying position on a commission for donating money to the gov’s effort to have a lottery referendum passed. That pales in comparison to what these sleaze balls did.
What’s your basis for that idiotic statement? Republicans generally get off better (see David Vitter, thinking of running for governor despite being caught patronizing prostitutes, the cocaine-snorting Florida congressmen, arrested but contrite and planning to stay in office) than Democrats (see Anthony Weiner, who was never accused of an actual crime but pressured to resign, see Rob Blagojovich, horrible abuse of power, rightly in prison). And if you think the Clintons were “never questioned,” I think you have some history to read up on before you should let yourself embarrass yourself again in public.
As a Virginian, I may know more details than some of our posters here. The “struggling local tobacco entrepreneur” had left tobacco and had gone into the supplements business. The FDA has been following this company closely, and within the past two weeks has demanded that the company significantly modify its claims, as current claims are unsupported and likely misleading.
There were donations to the family, shopping sprees, and other “gifts”. The McDonnells, according to accounts, did allow presentations of these products in meetings sponsored by the Governor and/or his wife. His wife borrowed money from the giver to buy stock in his company. She also became a paid member of the company’s board, with no apparent duties outlined.
There is a definite appearance of impropriety. Appearances and reality (or at least what can be proven) are often different, and it’s too early to determine whether there was true influence-peddling or just bad decision-making.
Mr. McDonnell has been serving Virginia in many capacities over the past two decades. He has a reputation for being straight-forward and honest, and has had a very clean nose until this story broke last year. I do not care for his politics, but that does not make him a criminal.
I hope he and his wife get fair trials and that the outcomes are fair, as well.
Remember when Nancy Reagan’s million dollar wardrobe was only “loaners”?? Remember the Vicuna coat scandal in the Eisenhower era? Yes, let Peter Paul and Mary record: “Where have all the ethics gone, long time ago”.
Michael wme: You started your narrative in the middle. The start was with Whitewater, a speculative venture in which the Clintons lost money. Since Republican speculators never lose money on theirs, they assumed something must be illegal in it. Then they tried another scheme and then another. You conveniently forgot that Bill fell into a sucker trap on Lewinsky, in that the investigators gave a rather unorthodox definition of “sex” as vaginal only and he correctly answered no, then, having him on the record, switched the definition to one most people would use and the trap was sprung.
“Wow, of all the people to defend a sexual harasser…”1) What is that supposed to mean?2) I didn’t defend Clinton’s behavior. I left the Democratic party partly because of Clinton.
Jase99: And I left because I couldn’t tell it from the Republicans. In Texas, they wouldn’t even file for down-ballot offices, like against the leader of the “flat earth faction” on the State Board of Education, which effectively writes the textbooks for most of the nation. I did (Green Party), and was never even listed as a candidate on TV, radio, newspapers, or magazines – in fact only two places: the League of Women Voter’s Candidate Survey and the ballot itself. This is a free choice in an election?
braindead Premium Member over 10 years ago
But, but… It’s okay if a Republican does it.
Jason Allen over 10 years ago
Republicans went through the Clintons’ finances in the 90s. They couldn’t find anything substantive, so their investigation morphed into the Lewinsky hearings.
zeimetr over 10 years ago
Look, we had a Dem gov done here in Alabama who is in the Federal Pen for appointing a guy to a non-paying position on a commission for donating money to the gov’s effort to have a lottery referendum passed. That pales in comparison to what these sleaze balls did.
ARodney over 10 years ago
What’s your basis for that idiotic statement? Republicans generally get off better (see David Vitter, thinking of running for governor despite being caught patronizing prostitutes, the cocaine-snorting Florida congressmen, arrested but contrite and planning to stay in office) than Democrats (see Anthony Weiner, who was never accused of an actual crime but pressured to resign, see Rob Blagojovich, horrible abuse of power, rightly in prison). And if you think the Clintons were “never questioned,” I think you have some history to read up on before you should let yourself embarrass yourself again in public.
Godfreydaniel over 10 years ago
From ex-governor to ex-con, is my prediction.
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
As a Virginian, I may know more details than some of our posters here. The “struggling local tobacco entrepreneur” had left tobacco and had gone into the supplements business. The FDA has been following this company closely, and within the past two weeks has demanded that the company significantly modify its claims, as current claims are unsupported and likely misleading.
There were donations to the family, shopping sprees, and other “gifts”. The McDonnells, according to accounts, did allow presentations of these products in meetings sponsored by the Governor and/or his wife. His wife borrowed money from the giver to buy stock in his company. She also became a paid member of the company’s board, with no apparent duties outlined.
There is a definite appearance of impropriety. Appearances and reality (or at least what can be proven) are often different, and it’s too early to determine whether there was true influence-peddling or just bad decision-making.
Mr. McDonnell has been serving Virginia in many capacities over the past two decades. He has a reputation for being straight-forward and honest, and has had a very clean nose until this story broke last year. I do not care for his politics, but that does not make him a criminal.
I hope he and his wife get fair trials and that the outcomes are fair, as well.
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
Remember when Nancy Reagan’s million dollar wardrobe was only “loaners”?? Remember the Vicuna coat scandal in the Eisenhower era? Yes, let Peter Paul and Mary record: “Where have all the ethics gone, long time ago”.
hippogriff over 10 years ago
Michael wme: You started your narrative in the middle. The start was with Whitewater, a speculative venture in which the Clintons lost money. Since Republican speculators never lose money on theirs, they assumed something must be illegal in it. Then they tried another scheme and then another. You conveniently forgot that Bill fell into a sucker trap on Lewinsky, in that the investigators gave a rather unorthodox definition of “sex” as vaginal only and he correctly answered no, then, having him on the record, switched the definition to one most people would use and the trap was sprung.
MaryWorth Premium Member over 10 years ago
G.O.P. means Got our presents?
Jason Allen about 10 years ago
“Wow, of all the people to defend a sexual harasser…”1) What is that supposed to mean?2) I didn’t defend Clinton’s behavior. I left the Democratic party partly because of Clinton.
hippogriff about 10 years ago
Jase99: And I left because I couldn’t tell it from the Republicans. In Texas, they wouldn’t even file for down-ballot offices, like against the leader of the “flat earth faction” on the State Board of Education, which effectively writes the textbooks for most of the nation. I did (Green Party), and was never even listed as a candidate on TV, radio, newspapers, or magazines – in fact only two places: the League of Women Voter’s Candidate Survey and the ballot itself. This is a free choice in an election?