Hillary Clinton struggles with debt

[dkf]

Hillary Clinton's fund-raising has run so dry she'll likely have to eat the entire $11 million loan she gave her campaign, sources said.

Clinton's push to retire her debt - more than $20 million including her loan - is going so poorly that getting help paying it down has become a major point of negotiation with Barack Obama, who wants Clinton to help smooth things with angry Clinton die-hards, sources said.

"I have raised nothing since the campaign ended," one Clinton money person said.

That's left the Clintons in a bind, choosing between stiffing themselves, major creditors like pollster Mark Penn or thousands of small vendors.

Sources said the fact they've all but written off their own loan suggests they're favoring the local caterers and printers they used for campaign events.

--

Clinton's best shot at retiring her debt now lies with Obama, who has built the best political cash machine ever seen. Sources said she wants Obama to tap his full grass-roots ATM, but negotiations were ongoing.

At stake for Team Obama is getting Clinton out working for him as soon as possible. "She will not go out until they have an agreement," said a senior source, adding that a deal certainly would be reached.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/06/19/2008-06-19_hillary_clinton_struggles_with_debt.html

[vaberella]

1. Wait, what happened to her 18 million voters. They didn't want to lend her a dime?!

I don't know what to say. If I were Obama I wouldn't giver her a cent. Obviously her word means nothign to some fo her more outrageous fanatics, since some have claimed variou stances for the November election:

1) stay home

2) vote independent/putting her name in the ballot box---knowing full well that vote won't go anywhere

3) voting McCain.

[hokies4ever]

6. If each one of those 'supporters' gave $1 to her campaign, her debt would be paid off

:rofl:

[quickesst]

11. And as evidenced....

by this reply, it is clear that Obama supporters will not welcome with any sincerity, a single Clinton supporter vote for Obama. I suppose, like a cocaine addiction, the need to feed the hate machine has taken hold, and won't let go easily. McCain is so bad, I'm still voting for Obama, despite his "supporters" urging to do otherwise. I'm sure though, that some take this horse-shit a little more seriously than I do, so rest assured O fans, your tactics of further Democratic alienation has had some effect. My, the things some take pride in. Thanks.
quickesst

[Kahuna]

12. Oh, whatever. I suppose your check is in the mail. THAT is the issue. nt

[davidpdx]

15. No, it's more like the fact that she and her campaign are blackmailing Obama

A implied thread for money is just that. Plus we are sick of the whining about the primary.

[greguganus]

21. More like extortion. n/t

[dansolo]

16. Hillary was the one who continued her campaign long after it was viable

I have very little sympathy for a candidate who knew her campaign was bleeding money, and yet continued to drag it out in the vain hope that something would befall Obama. I also have little regard for her supporters who encouraged that behavior. In the end, it is going to be the little guys that will end up getting screwed by her.

[miles 2 go]

18. Pay off her debt or they won't vote for you?

Then what next week? Fix her breakfast in bed or they won't vote for you? Clinton's sorry ass decided to loan her campaign the money. She did everything she could to dis Obama and give the right talking points. She threw a hissy fit when it became clear she wouldn't win. Yes, we want Clinton supporters to vote for Obama, we just don't want to be blackmailed, threatened and harassed into it. At some point we just have to say "If they are stupid enough to vote for McCain, then there isn't much we can do for them anyway."

I would have voted for Clinton if Obama had lost and I wouldn't have put conditions on it.

This really isn't directed at you but at the Clinton supporters who think we owe them something. We do not. She is not "entitled" to a damned thing.

Obama wasn't my first choice but I will gladly vote for him. He will win. He has grown on me. He is the GREAT WHITE HOPE! (also the great black hope, but since that isn't a common phrase....)

[lojasmo]

20. When Barack asks...

I'll contribute ten bucks. How about you?

[dionysus]

34. poutrage FAIL...

:rofl:

[windbreeze]

42. I am truly amazed

and I can't help but wonder...IF the situation were reversed..and Hillary was the "presumptive nominee"....what would she or her campaign be willing to do, to embrace Obama's campaign and supporters???.... His numbers are every bit as high as hers...so I venture to say, she'd also NEED his people's votes to win...we might want to remember that....

It's time everyone begins showing some restraint...Just because there are plenty of opportunities for all of us to jump in and rip someone a new asshole, every day, or become offended over the smallest things..doesn't mean it's really necessary to do so, just because the opportunity presents itself...we either heal the rift, or we take a chance on losing the election, it's that simple...wonder how much satisfaction losing would bring, how much gloating would be done then???? This is a serious game that's being played...never doubt that...

by the way...WHERE IS KARL ROVE...and WHAT IS he up too these days???.......wb

[Thothmes]

19. That would be like stuffing oats down a dead horse.

[breakaleg]

2. Given that much of the outstanding debt was racked up in the last few months when it was clear she

lost, it's unreasonable for her to expect him to help her pay for it. It's blackmail and I would be disappointed to see him give in to that.

[hokies4ever]

7. Great point!

It would be different if most of the debt was racked up early on before Obama was the frontrunner. Her campaign knew exactly what it was doing. Keep in mind what she lent her campaign money for. Those PA fear-mongering ads and other attack ads on Obama.

[TexasObserver]

3. First, she will have to get her contributors to give to Obama.

Then, he will get his contributors to give a like amount to Hillary.

They will primarily swap their maxed out contributors, because Obama will not want to use his contributors who aren't maxed out to help Hillary retire her debt. That would divert money he may need for the general election.

[grantcart]

24. This is almost certainly what is going to happen

[Selatius]

4. Wouldn't Obama need all of his money to put away McCain? nt

[hokies4ever]

8. You're making too much sense :-)

The White House is more important than bruised egos of those who almost won the nomination.

[frog92969]

5. She can afford it.

Or she wouldn't have pissed it away.

"She will not go out until they have an agreement"
Says it all. Stay the fuck home then.

[hokies4ever]

9. Is it possible that she didn't say this at all?

This article might just be a hitjob on Hillary.

[WeDidIt]

10. New York Daily News?

I think they're just stirring shit.

[Stephanie]

36. I think you are confusing the NY Daily News with the NY Post.

The Daily News has great political reporting. The Post is the Murdoch rag.

[mamalone]

13. This little bit was especially jarring...

<snip>
"She will not go out until they have an agreement," said a senior source,
<snip>

Wow, whatever happened to even the illusion that she running, and keeping her campaign alive for the betterment of the country? That long dragged out torture session of a primary season... and all to end up by her basically blackmailing Obama with "I won't get out there and campaign for you until you pay my debts (debts which were incurred during the process of attacking you and harming the party's chances in the GE, but no matter)"


color me just a bit more disillusioned, a bit more jaded than I was before I read this.

[democrattotheend]

14. I think she should stiff Mark Penn

If she has the option to do that. He charged millions of dollars to ruin her campaign.

[Beacool]

28. Mark Penn deserves to be stiffed, that SOB!!!!!

:mad:

[geiger]

33. ditto, he should get the bill of left-over bills, for incompetence. If he had any decency, he would

offer.

[polichick]

17. How much is the Clintons' fortune again??

[Stephanie]

37. Bill could just zip over to Dubai and give a few more speeches

I don't see why WE should pay for her financial mismanagement of her campaign.

[polichick]

41. Exactly - he wouldn't even have to; what they owe is a fraction of what they already have.

[greguganus]

22. She should call a few library donors for the money. n/t

[Skwmom]

23. Why should money be diverted from the general election (including

down ticket races)? They can eat the 11 million, then one of their rich friends can hire Bill for an $11 million consulting fee.

They ran up the debt, they should be responsible for taking care of it. Or does PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY only apply to working class Americans?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

25. She should pay her vendors and stiff herself and Penn.

Vendors don't have millions to fall back on.

[Catherina]

27. She already said she'll stiff herself. Step 2 would be stiffing Mark Penn

I don't mind helping pay her vendors.

[crankychatter]

26. I know about 6 Billion people that would swap "struggles" with her any time - nt

[olkaz]

29. When Hillary dropped out, I read a couple posts on HCF asking for their money back...

I thought that was **hilarious** and incredibly indicative of their lukewarm investment in Democratic politics (they only put in because it was a sure thing).

Now, they're trying to raise money saying "WE'RE NOT FOR SALE!!!"

A laugh a minute, these guys. I hope they never go away.

[goldcanyonaz]

38. I want the 2k I sent Kerry for the Ohio recounts, where the fuck did my money go?

[Beacool]

30. I love how the media always quotes anonymous sources.

"She will not go out until they have an agreement," said a senior source.

The Clintons raised over $100M for other candidates (including Obama) from 2001 to 2006. Hillary alone raised $51M. I sure hope that some of them now give her a hand.

As for me, I've been sending money just as if she was still in the race.

[greguganus]

31. Got 5 bucks for DU? n/t

[dionysus]

35. still sending the uber-wealthy clinton cash?

*flush*

:rofl:

[Beacool]

39. Thanks for caring.

I received yesterday the first Obama request for a donation. Should I start laughing too?

:eyes:

[dionysus]

40. oh noes!!!11!! without ur dough we're doomed!

how's the Hannity and O'Reilly shows lately? Or are you more of a Brit Hume fan?

[dailykoff]

32. On the other hand, if the Clintons are refusing to talk until they get paid...

:wow: Obama is a freakin' genius! :wow:

[frog92969]

43. Hmmm

You could be onto something there.

I've been dreading the day that she comes out and starts "helping" Obama.