Clinton Donors Object to Pelosi Comment

UPDATE: It doesn't sound like the letter had much effect on Pelosi's attitude towards the nomination. From her press office:

Speaker Pelosi is confident that superdelegates will choose between Sens. Clinton or Obama -- our two strong candidates -- before the convention in August," Daly said. "That choice will be based on many considerations, including respecting the decisions of millions of Americans who have voted in primaries and participated in caucuses. The speaker believes it would do great harm to the Democratic Party if superdelegates are perceived to overturn the will of the voters. This has been her position throughout this primary season, regardless of who was ahead at any particular point in delegates or votes.

UPDATE: The Center for Responsive Politics has calculated the financial heft that the donors involved, and it is substantial. From the press release:

The 20 Democratic bigwigs who wrote to Nancy Pelosi re: superdelegates yesterday have contributed nearly $24 million to Democratic candidates and committees over the last 10 years, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics has calculated. They've given Hillary Clinton's Senate and presidential campaigns about $315,000, or nearly $554,000, if you include contributions to her leadership PAC. By comparison, Barack Obama has collected $34,700 from them for his Senate and presidential campaigns, plus $17,500 to his leadership PAC. And there's no telling how much this group has helped raise for Democrats over the years.

WASHINGTON — Twenty top Democratic donors who are supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for saying superdelegates should support the presidential candidate with the most pledged delegates.

No matter what the outcome of the 10 remaining contests, it will be nearly impossible for Clinton to overcome Barack Obama's lead in pledged delegates because they are awarded proportionally based on the outcome.

So it will be up to the nearly 800 superdelegates _ party activists and elected officials who aren't bound by any vote _ to put one of them over the mark of 2,024 delegates needed to win the nomination. Obama has 1,406 pledged delegates to Clinton's 1,249, according to The Associated Press count.

Pelosi, who has not endorsed either candidate as chair of the Democratic National Convention, said during a March 16 appearance on ABC's "This Week" that it would be harmful to the party if superdelegates don't support the pledged delegate winner.

In their letter, Clinton's supporters said superdelegates "must look to not one criterion but to the full panoply of factors that will help them assess who will be the party's strongest nominee in the general election."

The letter also noted the donors "have been strong supporters" of the House Democrats' fundraising apparatus.

"We therefore urge you to clarify your position on superdelegates and reflect in your comments a more open view to the optional independent actions of each of the delegates at the national convention in August," they said.

Pelosi stands by her comment, said her spokesman, Brendan Daly.

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"The speaker believes it would do great harm to the Democratic Party if superdelegates are perceived to overturn the will of the voters," he said. "This has been her position throughout this primary season, regardless of who was ahead at any particular point in delegates or votes."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton called the letter "inappropriate."

"We hope the Clinton campaign will reject the insinuation contained in it," he said. "Regardless of the outcome of the nomination fight, Senator Obama will continue to urge his supporters to assist Speaker Pelosi in her efforts to maintain and build a working majority in the House of Representatives."

In response, Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said: "Few have done more to build the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton. The last thing they need is a lecture from the Obama campaign."

The letter was first reported by The Washington Post and the political blog Talking Points Memo.

___

On the Net:

http://www.house.gov/pelosi

Comments

[Dewtrell]

This is quiet simply Old Dems vs. New Dems! Us new Dems can raise $20 million in 15 days vs. 10 years.

[PingMama]

You are dead on. The old dems have no idea the fundraising power of the Obama campaign.

I'm glad Pelosi stood her ground.

[ApolloniaCreed]

I'm sure they have to have some idea... considering Obama's February fundraising.

[Gibbons]

New Dems got us six more years of Richard Nixon in 1972. How do you like McCain?

[popozuda]

Wrong, most new Dems weren't even born in 1972!

[jus200008]

Dead on.

I think that at this pace, Obama will be a better fundraiser than Bush. And there was a news that he raised over 3/4 of a billion over time. Maybe I exaggerate, but I include all the money he could raise for all other dems and the party itself.

Let this 24 million dollar go. We don't need this old dems money. And we certainly don't need them bullying our party and our democracy.

[ChangeNow]

Finally Nancy shows some spine. Good for her.

[WillMontgomery]

24 Million? That's all? I say let them go.

[truthskr]

Yeah, why are they so impressed with themselves? They'd have to kick in another $31M just to match Obama's February haul, which as mostly from his website and mostly comprised of small donations. One million donors in one month vs. these 20 entitled whiners. Enough said.

[InDaZone]

"Few have done more to build the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton. The last thing they need is a lecture from the Obama campaign."

Didn't the Democrats lose the majority while Billy boy was president?

[PhilosophicalPotato]

Yeah, and it's kind of a snide comment from the HRC campaign too isn't it? It strikes me as snide.

[vincealy]

Bill did a fine job of losing control of the congress for the Dems. Superdelegates need to ask do we really want another Clinton to turn congress to help return the party to minority status

[PackyJ]

Now, few are doing more to destroy the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Funny how we've come full circle.

[StandingStill]

Amen...and amen again!

[DesertLight]

That's my girl. If confronted with two choices you can count on her every time to take the wrong one!

[Buddhabman]

The old estabklishment way of big money donors and back room deals or the new way of grassroots support and many multiple small time donations.

It's real simple, a vote for the future or a vote for the past.

Obama 08

[maryinbelltown]

$24 million? We gave that much and more to Obama in one month. We are one million donors. We are huge. They are small - in mind and spirit and loyalty. We are the future and we've come to take our party back.

[Brooklynindy]

So what's their point? Are they implying that they have bought and paid for the DNC and that they'll do what they please with their property?

[PlantGod72]

Yep, I think that pretty well sums it up.

And up till now, I'd say they were right....

Give 'em Hell, Nancy!

[DoAsISay]

Mary, we are not one million donors. We are now almost TWO MILLION donors. What Clinton's fat cats are saying is that they and their opinion should matter more. And you are absolutely right, they are small-minded and loyal only to the Clintons, not the democrats or their country.

[txgal44]

You tell them sister!! We ARE the future!

[conned]

"Few have done more to build the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton. The last thing they need is a lecture from the Obama campaign."


What audacity! This campaign has been a complete disaster. They really thought they would ride a wave of gratitude back into the White House on the backs of the rich elites they sold out the working class's party to in the 90's. I liked President Clinton. I did. But wow, but they are really showing their true colors.

[ChiGuy]

Do the math.

Twenty big money donors with just one vote each...

OR

Millions of small money donors with MILLIONS of votes...

[rinpochet]

and MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!

[StandingStill]

Hey I think I'll go make a $5 donation now! Heck I'll catch their $24 million before the Fat Lady sings...oh wait! The Fat chick did sing. Gotta go get a few of my closest 2 million donor friends to donate.

OBAMA 08

[babar77]

FTA: "In response, Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said: 'Few have done more to build the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton. The last thing they need is a lecture from the Obama campaign.'"

This is another complete lie, even bigger than the Bosnia "whopper." The numbers don't lie - few have done more to destroy a political party than the Clintons. Democrats were elected out of office in droves while Bill was president. Not only did Democrats lose control of congress for the first time in decades, the effect the Clinton presidency had on local and state governments for the Democrats was absolutely disastrous. The 1994 mid-term elections is the single most lopsided turnaround in nationwide (local + state + federal) politics in US history. Plus, they've done absolutely nothing to help another Democrat get elected to office after they left.

[standforpeace]

Hey stop telling the truth here. You are causing lots of pain to lots of Clinton supporters.

[Jandie]

babar77 - Totally agree with you - and the reason "why they did absolutely nothing to help another democrat get elected to office after they left" - was because they already had their eye on Hillary becoming President in '08 - If they would of helped Gore or Kerry, she would of had to wait longer for her prize. The Clintons are the most conniving, unscrupulous politicians’ ever; they even give politicians a bad name.

[iPolitics]

Women turn their backs on a real leader. The highest ranking Democrat who voted against the war: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House. How could you still vote for Hillary after she knee-caps a historic figure in our history?

[vincealy]

Pelosi should be on the short list of VP candidates . A person of HONESTY and character. Obama - Pelosi could be a winner. Thaen Clinton could run with the other person she has called ready John Mccain

[richcpl]

They're not saying that they gave money to politicians in expectation of something in return, are they? Because that would be illegal.

[siciliabel]

These bully tactics are absurd. As Phil Singer said, the Clintons may have done much to build up the Democratic Party, but it would seem that is definitely in the past. Maybe that's why they feel it is now their party to sully and destroy, if that's what it takes for her to win the nomination.

[hugs4u]

All the little people are far more important then a few rich fat cats. Pelosi needs to tell the rich fat cats to stick their money where the sun don't shine.

[IRIE]

BWAAAAAAAAAAA.