Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumVTDigger: Special report: Sanders campaign millions go to mystery firm
Has there been any follow-up regarding the origins and principles of Olde Towne Media, one of Sanders' top campaign vendors? As open secrets shows, they received millions from Bernie's campaign:
https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2016&vendor=Old+Towne+Media
But, they seem to have dropped off the face of the earth, which is odd as noted in this Vermont article.
https://vtdigger.org/2016/07/15/sanders-campaign-millions-go-to-mystery-firm/
The unassuming two-story, single family home at 4507 Penwood Drive, is the registered address for Old Towne Media LLC the media buying company that purchased more than $82 million in TV ad time for Bernie Sanders Democratic presidential campaign, Federal Election Commission reports through May show. Old Townes income from the Sanders campaign has not been disclosed, but the industry standard for ad buy commissions is 15 percent. Based on that formula, the firm could have made $12 million.
* * *
In addition to Jane Sanders payment for work on her husbands congressional campaigns, her daughter from a previous marriage, Carina Driscoll, received about $65,000 for campaign work that election cycle. Much of the money came from commissions on media buys.
The media work was conducted under the umbrella of Sanders & Driscoll LLC, a Vermont consulting firm with three registered trade names: Progressive Media Strategies, Leadership Strategies and simply Jane OMeara Sanders.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DanTex
(20,709 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
handmade34
(22,759 posts)who lived in the backwoods of Stannard years ago that could tell stories... more real earthy dirt than anything else
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TomCADem
(17,391 posts)It is interesting how we make fun of Trump voters willingness to ignore Trump's scandals in the face of facts. Yet, when confronted with facts regarding Bernie's history of nepotism and self-dealing, Bernie supporters act in similar fashion.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-30/impeachment-doesn-t-shake-trump-voters-but-sows-doubt-on-biden
Robin Wade, 58, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, voted for Trump in 2016 and plans to vote for him again. The former teacher, now on disability, thought Democrats were making a mockery out of our country by opening an impeachment inquiry into Trumps pressuring of the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden.
Whats wrong with the president of the United States saying, Check this guy out? she asked.
Keith Justice, 54, of Dayton, Ohio, who voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016, was equally convinced that Trump had done something wrong. The owner of a center for people with developmental disabilities said the office of the presidency should be held to a higher standard.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DanTex
(20,709 posts)These smears are the equivalent of the Hunter Biden nonsense. I'm sure Republicans will try to make something out of it, but there's nothing there.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TomCADem
(17,391 posts)Did Joe Biden hire Hunter Biden and and pay him with tax-exempt charitable proceeds or campaign funds?
Now, did Bernie Sanders hire David Driscoll and Levi Sanders for either his campaign or his charitable foundation and pay them with charitable proceeds or campaign funds?
The Hunter Biden allegations are nonsense because there are no facts to support the idea that Joe Biden took any action to benefit Hunter Biden. In contrast, it is safe to assume that Bernie Sanders has some control over who is hired for own campaign and private foundation.
This is not some guilt by association where David Driscoll or Levi Sanders are hired by some third party. Its nepotism, because Bernie Sanders did the hiring.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DanTex
(20,709 posts)For example, as I've pointed out before, that foundation was not Bernie's, it was Jane and her son who started and ran it. These right-wing attacks on Bernie, just like the right-wing attacks on Biden, are based on lies and insinuations. Nothing illegal or unethical occurred. I have no idea why these smears are being repeated on a Democratic Forum.
Yes, this probably would be used against Bernie in the general election, just like the Hunter Biden stuff would be used against Biden. That doesn't make it any less nonsense.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TomCADem
(17,391 posts)For example, as I've pointed out before, that foundation was not Bernie's, it was Jane and her son who started and ran it. These right-wing attacks on Bernie, just like the right-wing attacks on Biden, are based on lies and insinuations. Nothing illegal or unethical occurred. I have no idea why these smears are being repeated on a Democratic Forum.
Yes, this probably would be used against Bernie in the general election, just like the Hunter Biden stuff would be used against Biden. That doesn't make it any less nonsense.
If you casually view the site, it prominently features not only Bernie Sanders and pictures of Bernie Sanders, but its fellows and board members are full of Bernie Sanders campaign surrogates.
https://www.sandersinstitute.com/
This suggestion that somehow Bernie's wife and step-son went rogue and appropriated his name to use charitable proceeds to host events that feature Bernie Sanders and that Bernie was somehow out of the loop just does not hold water. The foundation did not do much besides hosting events to showcase Bernie Sanders. If you want to prove me wrong, feel free to show some report attesting to the Sanders Institute's proper use of charitable funds.
Remember, Bernie himself has attacked the use of such foundations. Trump is being investigated for the use of such foundations for his personal benefit. This is going to be a relevant issue.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DanTex
(20,709 posts)In other words, like I said its not Bernies foundation in any sense. He didnt run it. He wasnt on the board. Nothing.
Also, there wasnt anything illegal or unethical that happened. At all.
This whole thing, the story is that a think tank which Bernie wasnt a part of did nothing wrong. Really! Its hilarious.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,423 posts)Posted Wednesday, July 12, 2017 10:39 pm
By Don Keelan
Sen. Bernie Sanders, et al, have made it quite clear they despise President Donald Trump and all that he stands for. Nevertheless, the Senator and his family have emulated the Trumps in so many ways that it has to be disheartening to his legion of followers.
When the Sanders undertake a project(s) it is critical that those whom will be chosen to be involved must first be family members. A recent example the Sanders Institute, headed up by Jane O'Meara Sanders, has a son as a paid employee. And ditto for the Sanders' other nonprofit, Our Revolution.
snip==================================================================
Who actually owns the enterprise to this day is still an unknown. Old Towne Media, LLC, was where close to $90 million dollars had been legally funneled by the Sanders to the presidential campaign. The company was located in a non-descript house located at 4507 Penwood Drive, in Alexandria, Va.
In keeping with the Trump mantra of, all in the family, the house is the home of Shelli Huton-Hartig, who along with another close friend of the Sanders, Barbara Abar Bougie, controlled the spending for the campaign's marketing.
In doing so they would have been able to keep in the LLC, approximately, 17 percent, which is a standard fee for any marketing/advertising firm to charge in this case it would amount to $15.3 million. The Donald would have to be so pleased with their entrepreneurial prowess.
https://www.manchesterjournal.com/stories/all-in-the-family,513385
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Voltaire2
(13,372 posts)used people they knew to do work for them and that the company these people are part of received the standard commission for performing the services they performed?
Yes this is huge!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,423 posts)I don't think it's huge. It's just business as usual for the political establishment.
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https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/expenditures.php?cmte=N00000528&cycle=2016#topvendors
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Voltaire2
(13,372 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,423 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hav
(5,969 posts)because I suppose for accounting reasons there have to be receipts.
But what stands out is that the Sanders family and friends do such a great job of enriching themselves by this campaign. Either by creating jobs for family members or using middle men they know for expenditures who then receive millions of commissions for it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapucelle
(18,423 posts)but I do agree with your point about career politicians doing such a clever job of enriching family and friends by manipulating the system.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mahalo
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TomCADem
(17,391 posts)The interesting thing is that Olde Towne Media, LLC does not show up in Virginia Secretary of State database even though it pulled in this huge amount as you note. How does a company with millions of dollars in revenues disappear without a trace?
https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/
However, if you look up Olde Towne Media, LLC in Florida corporation database, there is a company by that name:
http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName
The Olde Towne Media company is headed by a Thomas Driscoll, III, and a Denise Driscoll, which is just weird given that Bernie's step children are David and Carina Driscoll. It is just amazing that so little is known about a company with so much revenues and expenses.
http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResults?inquiryType=EntityName&searchNameOrder=OLDETOWNEMEDIA&searchTerm=Olde%20Towne%20Media%2C%20LLC
Florida Limited Liability Company
OLDE TOWNE MEDIA, L.L.C.
Filing Information
Document Number
L12000021952
FEI/EIN Number
NONE
Date Filed
02/03/2012
Effective Date
02/03/2012
State
FL
Status
INACTIVE
Last Event
ADMIN DISSOLUTION FOR ANNUAL REPORT
Event Date Filed
09/27/2013
Event Effective Date
NONE
Principal Address
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Mailing Address
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Registered Agent Name & Address
DRISCOLL, THOMAS BIII
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Authorized Person(s) Detail
Name & Address
Title MGRM
DRISCOLL, THOMAS BIII
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Title MGRM
DRISCOLL, DENISE M
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Annual Reports
No Annual Reports Filed
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Voltaire2
(13,372 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TomCADem
(17,391 posts)It would be kind of funny to see Lindsey.Graham saying LOL instead of nothingbudger to try to dismiss evidence of corruption.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,316 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)'VTDigger is an investigative journalism platform that reports on politics, businesses, events, and public policy of Vermont.[1] VTDigger was founded in September 2009 by its current Executive Director, Anne Galloway, who was nominated for the "Vermonter of the Year Award" by The Burlington Free Press in 2016.[2] In 2010, VTDigger merged with the Vermont Journalism Trust,[3] a non-profit organization that currently publishes the site.[1] Published by a non-profit, a substantial part of its support comes from a governmental unit(s) and/or from the general public, including sponsors, gifts, and organization membership.[3] According to the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), "In the second least-populous state in the country, VTDigger is averaging nearly 300,000 monthly users, has a staff of 19 full-time employees, and an annual budget over $1.5 million" as of May 2018.[3] VTDigger has received substantial public support from government agencies and other sources, including over $1.725 million in 2016, $1.37 million in 2017, and $941,243 in 2018 (which represents 75.850 % of total revenue in 2018). VTDigger made only $21,816 from advertising revenue in 2018. Executive Director, Anne Galloway, reported total compensation of $64,519 from VTDigger in 2018.[4]'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTDigger
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
kabelle
(34 posts)In stories about shady dealings.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(146,209 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TomCADem
(17,391 posts)The interesting thing is that Olde Towne Media, LLC does not show up in Virginia Secretary of State database:
https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/
However, if you look up Olde Towne Media, LLC in Florida's corporation database, there is a company by that name. The Olde Towne Media company is headed by a Thomas Driscoll, III, and a Denise Driscoll.
http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResults?inquiryType=EntityName&searchNameOrder=OLDETOWNEMEDIA&searchTerm=Olde%20Towne%20Media%2C%20LLC
Florida Limited Liability Company
OLDE TOWNE MEDIA, L.L.C.
Filing Information
Document Number
L12000021952
FEI/EIN Number
NONE
Date Filed
02/03/2012
Effective Date
02/03/2012
State
FL
Status
INACTIVE
Last Event
ADMIN DISSOLUTION FOR ANNUAL REPORT
Event Date Filed
09/27/2013
Event Effective Date
NONE
Principal Address
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Mailing Address
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Registered Agent Name & Address
DRISCOLL, THOMAS BIII
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Authorized Person(s) Detail
Name & Address
Title MGRM
DRISCOLL, THOMAS BIII
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Title MGRM
DRISCOLL, DENISE M
10099 FREESIAN WAY
WELLINGTON, FL 33449
Annual Reports
No Annual Reports Filed
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,887 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Me.
(35,454 posts)you know, Manafort's ex partner. the $10,000 a day guy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RandySF
(60,181 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)I went to Bernie's Wiki for some basic info, I forgot his age and other stuff. This immediately popped out:
'After graduating from college, Sanders returned to New York City, where he briefly had a variety of jobs, including Head Start teacher, psychiatric aide, and carpenter.[24] In 1968 he moved to Stannard, Vermont a town small in both area and population (88 residents at the 1970 census) within Vermont's extremely rural "Northeast Kingdom" region, because he had been "captivated by rural life".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders#cite_note-Politico-28
Which I knew was totally wrong. He moved to Vermont in '64. The sources were:
"By the time Sanders graduated, both his parents had died, and his brother had moved to England. (Larry Sanders, who became a social worker and a Green Party councillor, lives in Oxford.) Jane Sanders told me that it had taken her a long time to realize quite how alone in the world her future husband had been during his late teens and early twenties. He did a stint on a kibbutz in Israel, worked as an aide at a psychiatric hospital, taught in a Head Start program, and had a carpentry business with a few other guys in New York. It was called Creative Carpentry, and Rader says that it was accurately named: They advertised in the Village Voice, but didnt know much about carpentry. Theyd go to the hardware store to buy supplies, and ask the clerk how to do the repairs theyd been hired to do.
Sanders got married for the first time, to a woman named Deborah Shiling, just after college, and they took a road trip from New York to Vermont, where Sanders had never been. The couple ended up buying eighty-five acres of wooded land near Montpelier, for twenty-five hundred dollars. They had preceded the waves of back-to-the-land hippies. Sanders told me, convincingly, I wasnt a hippie. Hed been enchanted by the thought of living in lush, green Vermont ever since he and his brother had collected some travel brochures touting the states farms.'
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/12/the-populist-prophet
And:
'In 1964 he graduated with a degree in political science and got married in Baltimore.
That summer, not quite 23, he and his wife, Deborah Sanders, bought for $2,500 some property in Vermont, near Montpelier in the town of Middlesex off Shady Rill Road, according to property records. He wanted to live in the country, he has said, and had some inheritance money from his father, who had died in 1963. They spent parts of the next few summers on the property, living in what had been a maple sugar shack with a dirt floor. The marriage ended only two years after it began, in 1966.
He bounced around for a few years, working stints in New York as an aide at a psychiatric hospital and teaching preschoolers for Head Start, and in Vermont researching property taxation for the Vermont Department of Taxes and registering people for food stamps for a nonprofit called the Bread and Law Task Force.
By 1968, he was living in Vermont full time. On March 17, 1969, according to records, Sanders bought another property, in out-of-the-way Stannard, with a population of fewer than 200 people, in the rural area of Vermont called the Northeast Kingdom. Four days later, Levi Noah Sanders was born, at Brightlook Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vermont; according to his birth certificate, his mother was a woman named Susan Campbell Mott.'
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/bernie-sanders-vermont-119927_full.html
Politico has the date of move right. New Yorker doesn't say. Neither mention Stannard as his original destination. He did move there in '68. How can wiki be so wrong?
Googled Wiki wrong about Sanders and got VT Digger:
Bernie Sanders early days in Vermont: His life, loves and circuitous route to politics
'One period of his life, the years from 1964 to 1971, however, has been left unexplained. In media profiles of the senator, Sanders is transported from graduation at the University of Chicago to his idealistic foray into politics with the Liberty Union party.'
'Sanders didnt let the dream die, though. Shortly after he graduated on June 13, 1964, with a B.A. from the University of Chicago in political science, he moved to Vermont.
News reports have pegged his move to Vermont to much later in the 1960s, and the locations cited are either Burlington, as the New York Times reported recently, or Middlesex, which is tied to the purchase of a piece of land with his then-wife Deborah as Mother Jones reported in May.
Both accounts are incorrect.
As is a story from the National Journal that reports Sanders lived in New York City immediately after graduation.
Though Sanders early days in Vermont have been portrayed as that of a revolutionary, his actual life in the late 1960s and early 1970s was like that of any 20-something.
Sanders came to Vermont with Deborah Messing, his college sweetheart, in 1964. Recently married, they bought 85 acres in central Vermont that August for $2,500. Its been called the sugar shack in the press, and a love shack by locals in the town of Middlesex, but the small structure on Shady Rill Road wasnt by any means a permanent residence. It had running water and no electricity. Messing and Sanders left Vermont and traveled through Europe, just as the war in Vietnam was escalating. About 18 months later, in 1966, they divorced.'
'Messing says the story that he came to Vermont with his first wife, had a kid and moved to Stannard, as cited by Wikipedia, is also incorrect. I never moved to Stannard, Messing says.'
https://vtdigger.org/2015/07/09/bernie-sanders-early-days-in-vermont-his-life-loves-and-circuitous-route-to-politics/
New York Times has facts wrong. New Yorker has facts wrong. Politico has facts wrong. Mother Jones has facts wrong. National Journal has facts wrong. Wikipedia has facts wrong still (VT Digger pointed this out in 2015). And something new to me and not reported in any of those, 'Messing and Sanders left Vermont and traveled through Europe...'
Certainly not noted on this ace resume of Bernie's:
Not long on details is it?
How Encyclopedia Britannica covers those 7 years:
'After graduating, he lived on a kibbutz in Israel.
Upon returning to the United States, Sanders moved to Vermont, participating in the communal back-to-the-land movement and working as a union carpenter and freelance journalist. He also became active in the anti-Vietnam War movement, which drew him into electoral politics.'
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bernie-Sanders
Not long on details either. Nothing about that traveling through Europe. But at least they mentioned kibbutz. Which just about everyone left out save New Yorker.
Have we ever had a Presidential candidate with such a fucked up timeline. I can tell you every place I've been in my life, at what date and for how long. Same with jobs. What, when, where, and for how long. With addresses, phone numbers, and contacts. Not Bernie. It's all a mystery.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
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