Catastrophe - Dick Morris [85]
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TOP RECIPIENTS OF AIG CONTRIBUTIONS
NameTotal Contributions
Dodd, Chris (D-CT) $281, 038
Schumer, Charles E (D-NY) $111, 875
Obama, Barack (D-IL) $110, 332
McCain, John (R-AZ) $99, 249
Baucus, Max (D-MT) $90, 000
Kerry, John (D-MA) $85, 000
Johnson, Nancy L (R-CT) $75, 400
Sununu, John E (R-NH) $69, 049
Clinton, Hillary (D-NY) $61, 515
Lieberman, Joe (I-CT) $57, 900
Rangel, Charles B (D-NY) $53, 000
Source: Center For Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000123&type=P&state=&sort=A&cycle=A.
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Things weren’t going well for the Connecticut Senator. The AIG story was everywhere. But then it got even worse: It turned out that Dodd’s wife, Jackie M. Clegg, had been appointed to the Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, an offshore company based in Bermuda and controlled by AIG. Between 2000 and 2004 she was paid more than $12,000 a year.313
Dodd just can’t get away from AIG, can he?
But actually, he’s a favorite of all of the financial institutions, not just AIG. Here’s a chart showing the major contributions he’s received, with those from the financial sector in bold:
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TOP CONTRIBUTORS TO DODD 2008
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Those banks and insurance companies sure do like Senator Dodd, don’t they?
THE THOMAS DODD RESEARCH CENTER
On October 16, 1995, the president of the United States, Bill Clinton, flew on Air Force One to Storrs, Connecticut, for the dedication and opening of the Thomas Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut.
The Dodd Center will be the repository for Senator Thomas Dodd’s papers, as well as those of his son, former governor Rowland, and former senator Prescott Bush, the father and grandfather of the presidents Bush.
At the festivities for the opening, no one ever mentioned the sad ending to Dodd’s career when he was censured by the Senate for taking campaign money for his personal use.
The Center was funded by $8 million from the state of Connecticut and $1 million raised by Senator Dodd. Those who privately contributed to this public building and research center have not been disclosed. So we have no idea who made contributions and whether they have any business with the federal government. The names should have been disclosed. Why should private contributions to a public university be kept secret? Someone obviously decided that the names would not be revealed.
Don’t you wonder why?
But one familiar name appears on the Center’s Board of Advisers: Ed Downe.
Wherever you find Chris Dodd, Ed Downe is not far behind. He and his family have continued to contribute the maximum allowable contribution to all his campaigns. He describes himself as an “Independent Investor.”
WHAT’S WRONG WITH CHRIS DODD
Chris Dodd is the epitome of the Washington insider politician who is tone deaf to everything except the Beltway conventional wisdom.
He’s been there for so long, he’s part of the problem.
He expects handouts
He doesn’t understand what the big deal is about the many homes he’s bought with the help of generous partners. Partners who do business with the federal government.
He doesn’t get why his amendment to benefit A.I.G. is inciting people.
In fact, he just doesn’t get it.
ACTION AGENDA
If you think there’s any problems with any of Chris Dodd’s housing transactions, including the Countrywide mortgages, call Barbara Boxer’s office. She’s the chairman of the Committee on Ethics. The Committee that does nothing.
The Capital switchboard number is 202-224-3121. Just ask for her office and let them know what you think.
CHARLIE RANGEL AND AIG
Charlie Rangel is a hypocrite. A big one.
When it was first announced that AIG executives had been awarded outrageous bonuses even despite their company’s despicable performance and congressional Democrats