Townhall.com, Where Your Opinion Counts
Talk Radio:   Bill Bennett   Mike Gallagher   Dennis Prager   Michael Medved   Hugh Hewitt   
BREAKING NEWS  LeftArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican   RightArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican  
Columns, funnies & more in your inbox!
Login | What's Hot
  • Check the boxes and send us your email address to receveive your free newsletter
  • Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
  • Townhall.com’s weekly inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of politics. When news breaks, we report.
  • Signup to receive the latest daily Townhall cartoons
Monday, April 14, 2008
Robert Novak :: Townhall.com Columnist
Hillary's Strategist
by Robert Novak
Forward Print Share Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
[+] Text [-]
 
 
Poll
Will the Dems' health care Christmas Present to America be an improvement or detriment to our health care system?


Beyond loyalty, Penn is welded to the 2008 Clinton campaign by financial ties. A source who has had close connections with Penn got word to me that he believes the Clinton campaign is $10 million in debt to Penn, Schoen & Berland, which is owned by Burson-Marsteller. The campaign's March report to the Federal Election Commission recorded indebtedness to the company of nearly $2.5 million (with its expenses for the month listed at $3.1 million).

My sources suggest that Clinton's full indebtedness may be revealed only gradually. This money link helps explain why Penn is still around after organized labor demanded his scalp last summer and he is blamed inside the campaign for failing to perceive the public's demand for "change."

Just how much money Clinton owes Penn can cause major difficulties in the future. If not repaid promptly, would it constitute an illegal financial contribution? Because the British WPP owns Burson-Marsteller, would that debt constitute an illegal foreign contribution?

Over the last week, I talked to 10 superdelegates (including two U.S. senators) who are committed to Clinton. Each claimed he would stick with her, but none could see how she could be nominated. In such a frame of mind, they would prefer a Geoff Garin-style soft landing to conclude the campaign. With Mark Penn still around, they could get a far more dramatic endgame.

1 2
| Full Article & Comments | < Previous
Share:
Forward Print Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
 
About The Author
Robert Novak (1931-2009) was a syndicated columnist and editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report.
 
TOWNHALL DAILY: Sign up today and receive Townhall.com daily lineup delivered each morning to your inbox.
 
©Creators Syndicate

Join The Debate!

Post Your Comment
(13 comments so Far)
View in ascending order     View in descending order
Reply # 1
Date: Apr 14, 2008 - 6:31 PM EST
indyconantidim
American history shows that the US electorate does not like giving one party total power in DC (i.e. House, Senate and POTUS).

For the dhimmis, this year should have been a walk in - they have the advantages of an unpopular president, a cooperative media, funding, House/Senate majorities, candidates with unique demographics, etc. - just about everything they could ask for. But at this point, it looks like anything but.

Consider their behavior: they act like a pack of pirates killing each other over who gets to rape the female captives first with no regard for the defenses. Madam klintoon, in the event her nomination seems increasingly less likely, gratefully, appears determined to see that Oblamaman doesn't win either.

This behavior, coupled with the public's above tendency to check and balance one party's power bodes well for McLaim - and ill for the dhimmis. And if this should prove to be the case, we may, as you say, have a chance to check McLaim's liberal tendencies via our congressional reps.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 2
Date: Apr 14, 2008 - 5:55 PM EST
indyconantidem
The Iraq venture has not gone well, notwithstanding the recent surge that has rescued over four years of failed administration war strategy.

The border is still not secure, more than six years after 9/11...altho I do concede the 9/11 hijackers entered the U.S. with visas. They did not sneak across the border. Still, one would think in a post 9/11 world, some thought would be given to securing our border. Bush himself declared a couple of years back that Americans who opposed his immigration plan were "bigots". McCain is every bit as bad as Bush is on the border.

The largest deficits in the history of the United States occurred in G.W. Bush administration.

The dollar has plummeted to historic lows under the Bush administration.

Bush approval rating among Americans is at about 28%.

More than 2 out of 3 Americans now believe the Iraq war was not worth the cost.

If you view the above as reflecting a great and successful presidency, fine.

I am not a liberal. I am a disgusted conservative.

On McCain, I have problems too. I fear he will be too much like Bush on swigging the toxic neocon swill. I like the fact McCain is a hawk, but hope he has sense enough to steer clear of the neocons(spilling our blood to democratize the muslim world is a bad idea). McCain buys into the global warming hype, and that is most worrisome.

I agree on Obama. He is unelectable. The Wright matter, along with his elitist and condescending remarks about Americans who cling to guns and religion, demonstrates he is out of touch with mainstream America.

Hillary is dishonest, has always been so, and while not quite as far to the left as Obama, she is still a leftist who would do harm to our Republic.

I am probably voting for McCain. Of the three, he will do the least damage.
Flag as Offensive
Sign Up to Post Your CommentsSign Up to Post Your Comments
If you are already registered, click here to login. Otherwise, please take a few seconds to register with Townhall.com. Once you sign up, you’ll be able to post your comments immediately, use the action center, get podcasts, and more!
Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Salutation:
First Name:
*
Last Name:
*
Email:
*
Nickname:
*
Note: Nick name will be shown when you post comments.
Address 1:
*
Address 2:
City:
 *
State:
 *
Zip:
 *
Phone:
       
Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
(Bi-Weekly) We highlight the best opportunities from our partners for surveys, action items and more.