Bradley: Bill Clinton's Financial Backers Could Pose Big Problem

Though known for his soft-demeanor, former senator and current Obama supporter Bill Bradley let off a bit of steam at the Clinton campaign during an appearance on NewsHour Wednesday night.

Calling into question the known unknowns (channeling my inner-Rumsfeld) of former president Bill Clinton's financial backers, Bradley raised the specter of down-the-road quid-pro-quos and one-hand-behind-your-back general election fights against Sen. John McCain. As he explained to host Jim Lehrer:

"I think Barack Obama has a much stronger chance of beating John McCain in the general election. I think Hillary is flawed in many ways, and particularly if you look at her husband's unwillingness to release the names of the people who contributed to his presidential library.

And the reason that is important -- you know, are there favors attached to $500,000 or $1 million contributions? And what do I mean by favors? I mean, pardons that are granted; investigations that are squelched; contracts that are awarded; regulations that are delayed.

These are important questions. The people deserve to know. And we deserve, as Democrats, to know before a nominee is selected, because we don't want things to explode in a general election against John McCain."

Here is the video:

Tip of the hat to goldmj at Daily Kos for first noticing this.

Comments

[Denni]

Well, then, in April, the trial date is set for the fraud trial against Bill Clinton - with Hillary being called to testify, I'm sure. Clinton apologist, save the attacks on Peter Paul... yup, he's all those things and MORE... and has been for decades and the Clintons did busines will him anyway.

Did Hillary disclose this upcoming trial to her supporters­/donors!?!­?!? How many of them would have given money waiting for THAT shoe to drop!?!?

[Davat]

Who is Bill Bradley and why do we care what he says or who he supports? Who else can the media drag up from days long gone by after failed presidential bids to offer another insignificant or meaningless opinion? Is Gary Hart available?

[JavaCityGal]

You miss the point, this is not about Bill Bradley. This is not an opinion. This is knowledge that he's hinting about -- knowledge that hasn't come out yet but it's why Clinton hasn't released her tax returns. Haven't you wondered why she doesn't just release them to shut everyone up? She's trying to buy time.

[Dahveed]

Good. Let their behaviors be made known. I sense a a major episode of Clinton Fatigue Syndrome sweeping the nation!! Better now than in the general election, or worse, the White House. Let's send these dishonest folks back to their own home.

[nepat]

Clinton supporters - aren't you pleased that this is where your candidate has chosen to bring the campaign?

Did she really think she'd be given a pass on leveling her cheap and tawdry charges without opening a very large Pandora's box for herself? Interesting how the entire Democratic party has to suffer for her vanity.

[JiminNC]

Maybe we force fed Bill some Koolaid? :))

[venicesurfer]

im proud of her. as dirty and filthy as she is. i dont mind the dirty tricks. as long as they work. sorry, i know the majority dont feel like i do, but look at karl rove and his secret police. they helped elect a chimp. this obama theory that he's bring a 'new kind of politics' a more clean and pleasant politics is NOT gonna fly. even he knows it and has said they are gonna get tougher and negative now. so look out for the new obama fighting by the more conventional and old style politcal rules rather then by "the new kind of politics" if he goes negative, he will be doing something he said he wouldnt do from the beginning.

she is a FIGHTER. a tough fighter fighting for the job and who has yet to be taken out. obama has failed 3 times to kick her out of the race. he had a great month in february and no one is going to have a better month then his. if he cant close the deal after that, when can he?

[JavaCityGal]

Let me paraphrase venicesurfer

Hilary is sleeze, low-down, untrustworthy, and as dirty as Rove....bu­t I like her and want her to be the leader of the free world.....

All I have to say is no wonder we got Bush for 8 years.

[GoLeftGoDeep]

Hillary: (1) release your tax returns now ... as you demanded against Lazio ... (2) release Bill's secret donors to his library ... let's see the landscrape to your "life-time of experience"

[JavaCityGal]

You are absolutely correct. When Mrs Hillary Rove Clinton ran for the Senate seat against Rep Lazio, she hounded him incessantly to release his tax returns. She even resorted to having someone dressed up as Uncle Sam chase Lazio around. Now why would someone so insistent on her previous opponents tax returns refuse to disclose her own? Hypocrisy? Something to hide?

[Plank]

Bradley raises an important point. How do we know if the Clintons are not compromised? If you receive large donations from foreign countries, what's the catch?
The Clintons have already used the presidency to grant pardons to criminals and terrorist groups.
These people make the Gambino family look like choir boys.

[findingthetruth]

Do Hillary's supporters question any of the RECENT developments?

1) support of McCain
2) NAFTA revelation
3) continued refusal to release tax returns
4) delay of documents of (White House experience)
5) denial of participation in support of specific lawsuits
6) reneging on SIGNED documents of DNC rules for FL and MI
7) reasons for not returning FUNDS to an ALLEDGED CRIMINAL
8) highly publicized ill-managed campaign
9) blatant statements of destroying HER Party ---- if the WIN appears to be slipping
10) hiring of KNOWN corrupted staff
11) KNOWN suppressing of voter's rights
12) use of discrete FEAR tactics
13) CLEVERLY use the media, through surrogates, to air false information


There's so much more. Having begun to touch the surface. And you're telling me Hillary's supporters DO NOT QUESTION at least one of the above?

[venicesurfer]

if she has that much baggage which we all know she does, why hasnt obama kicked her out of the race yet? why cant he defeat a woman with that much baggage?

[JavaCityGal]

The answer is that he has taken the high road, and has decided to not drag her her through the mud. But she has continually hit him again and again with lies (NAFTA) and Rove tactics. Anyone in their right mind would fight back and that is what you will start seeing now. It's a shame that she's dragged the campaign down like this, but she started it. Shocking, considering the glass house that she lives in.

Also, let's not forget that she was the inevitable candidate, the front runner. She had double digit poll leads everywhere and expected to wrap things up by Feb 5. The fact that he has come as far as he has, to overtake her -- while running a clean campaign is simply amazing and a testament to his strength and ability.

[newshawk14]

I find your post asking some tough questions, that need to be answered. I would recommend
looking at some of the earlier posts of Greg Palast @ gregpalast.com and Robert Parry @
consortiumnews.com, both are outstanding investigative reporters and have some important
insights to offer. I would also suggest going to nytimes.com and click on opinion, David Brooks,
page 2, and his op-ed piece on the Cooper Concerns, and ask yourself if this is the type of
person you want as president.

[MichelleB]

Corupt Clintons, the Republicans will destory Hillary if she is the nominee

[BlackWidowPilot]

Corruption? You want corruption let's talk about these Cheney cronies:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/030608B.shtml

We can then go into the no-bid contracts, the Katrina rebuilding that isn't, the Iraq construction projects that have sucked up billions of our taxpayer dollars, and actually delivered nothing, defective body armour issued to our troops, rotting food served to our troops by KBR, telecomm immunity, signing statements, and a war for oil and empire based upon over 900+ lies about WMDs.

And let's also discuss the "family values" of the "party of family values:"

http://www.armchairsubversive.org/

Now mind you, I happen to be an independent who favors Obama over Hillary, but if it's a choice between Hillary or "Hundred Years War" McCain who now clearly wishes to continue the Chimp-in-Chief's degenerate "strad-ge-dee" in Iraq and equally corrupt policies here at home, I'll take Hillary any day of the week, thank you very much!

At least a Clinton will more or less bow to public pressure, unlike the venal dry drunk currently infesting the White House...

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[BNL]

Corrupt Obama/Rezko, the Republicans will destroy Obama if he's the nominee.

[venicesurfer]

funny cuz thats how i feel if obama were to win the nomination. atleast the clinton machine will attack and fight back hard against republicans. obama will just give a speech about how great he is and throw in the words 'hope' and 'change' a few dozen times.

[JavaCityGal]

No -- the Republicans will mop the floor with her being in bed financially with Dubai and Arab Shieks -- they will absolutely LOVE that -- believe me.

[JavaCityGal]

Do you not think that the Republicans will dig up Whitewater, Travelgate, Vince Foster and everything else? (Not to mention new scandals yet to become mainstream) It wouldn't suprise me if they are compiling some new ammo right now. There's just so much ammo for the Republicans to use against the Clintons that it will be all over for the Democrats for yet another 8 years.

[Dalila1542]

Lets get rid of these Clintons. I have had my pro Hillary moments, but, the thought of those two subjecting us to their drama is unbearable. It NEVER ends with them.

[mox]

This is why Obama is ahead with delegates AND the popular vote. The majority of Americans do not want to go down the old Clinton road again.Ther­e's too much ethical sleaze that provides an endless supply of ammunition for the Republicans. If elected (assuming she brokers some sort of legal sway to get the nomination), there won't be enough time to govern because her time will be spent defending herself and meeting with lawyers. I say let's go for the eloquence and speech-savvy wonderboy and see what he can do.

[OhPlease2007]

Reality: Bill Bradley's Irrelevant Far Left Liberalism Won't Even Register as a M$M Blip on the '08 Election Radar.

[Monkeytime]

Yeah he has had some far left liberal positions like universal health care, campaign finance reform and reasonable gun laws.

But then again, his stance as NJ senator as reflected in his work against child poverty, his expansion of no child left behind and his votes in favor implementing and expanding middle class tax cuts; that's the real commie shit.

At least you have the intellectual honesty as a Clinton supporter to come out against liberalism. For that I sincerely applaud you. Most seem to fake as if they actually appreciate progressive policy.

[Monkeytime]

Correction of my earlier snarky post:

He voted to expand Head Start. Not No Child Left Behind, that might even be too far right for Hillary. I have to admit that when I fuck up like that, it kind of takes the zing out of my otherwise lightning wit.

[kellygrrrl]

what are the beads on his wrist? Is that from the voodoo witch they hired?

[Nicolaus]

It is the Bracelets of the Anti-Pseudo Feminists League... Those who do not wish to vote for a woman just because she is a woman... :-)

[uberlefty]

His new girlfriend made it for him last year at summer camp.

[Kalima]

Worry beads,I think. The Clintons seem to have plenty of things they should worry about it seems.
They started with the Rezko insinuations, so let the games begin.

[JiminNC]

No it is a natural response to our Koolaid :)) C'mon - have a cup - Its pretty good stuff! Better than that piss-punch they soon be serving at HRC.com

[Sloane7]

Oh for a Bernstein and Woodward to really investigate the Clintons. It would be a best seller and a movie.

[BusterBoreto]

There's no limit to Clintonista skullduggery. It's like watching Nixon in a dress. Excuse me, in a pant suit.

[realitycheck7]

with all due respect, I coined the phrase "Nixon in a Pantsuit"

I am sending for a copywright

[eurydice]

Nixon in a semen-stained shirt, don't you mean?

[okAcomputer]

funniest thing i read today. 'like watching nixon in a dress' :)

[JavaCityGal]

What Bradley is alluding to is that Clintons have recieved milions and millions of dollars from Dubai, Arab Shieks and Islamic organizations. Do you think they are donating this money to the Clintons without expecting favors? That is why the Clintons won't release their tax returns and other information being asked. Hillary "Rove" Clinton CANNOT win against the Republicans. They will TEAR HER TO SHREDS with his information. This information is coming from Dick Morris, Clinton political advisor for 20 years. He knows a thing or two about the Clintons.

[nohat]

Then why didn't Obama bring this up a long time ago? If you can't even bring up legitimate questions about your opponent without being charged with mudslinging, why even HAVE an opponent? Is every candidate supposed to go around singing the praises of his opponent?

[Balloonman]

Yes. Let's not forget the clever strategist DICK MORRIS. BILL CLINTON calling at 3AM for advice and DICK on the other end wiping off the call lady on the hotel bed red hot line. Birds of a feather.

[argent1]

Bill Bradley playing Fox News Anchor on the Obama Network. Just plant the idea as usual and the conspiracy theorists will take over. You and all who are narcotically stunned by the Clinton bashing will swallow each and every negative word about the Clintons. Now why didn't Bradley mention Hillary murdering Vince Foster? Or better yet he could expose his own experience in the NBA and talk about all the free sex girls he used to bonker. But no! Bill is a high road Rhodes scholar just like the Bill he's been spreading all the shit about!!

[MsLiz]

Pure ad hominem attack. No facts. Unworthy of reading.

[JiminNC]

Bill Bradley is not one to wander over the edge. He is trying to protect you from 8 more years of Bush ... and yourself.

[indie17]

There's an easy way to end this. We need full financial disclosure by the Clintons. Finis.

[ariadne1]

so i guess you think that he made it all up!

[kevenhussienseven]

Bradley did not mention Foster because there is no legitimacy to those charges.

There is legitimacy to the charges that Bradley did bring up.

Hey. Clinton did not win Texas. How about that. Bill said that she would need to drop out if she did not win Texas. When do you suppose we can expect a concession speech?

[DMSmith]

She DID win Texas! That's why there's no such speech.

Pay attention folks.

[authoritarianbootlicker]

Hmmm. Do you have a trial coming up? A real estate deal? New promotion in the cue? How much are they paying YOU?