Kenneth Starr's Law Firm Gives More Money to Clinton (than any other)

[IChing]

Source: AP

July 31 (Bloomberg) -- Lawyers at Kirkland & Ellis, the law firm that's home to Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr and Bush administration official Jay Lefkowitz, have given more to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign than to all of the top Republican candidates combined.


Kirkland, based in Chicago, is one of several corporate law firms that traditionally backed Republicans where lawyers are turning to Democratic candidates. Lawyers say the change is largely due to disenchantment with the Republican Party's social policies and the war in Iraq.

``The Iraq war has a very significant pull on people, but it's not just limited to that,'' said Kirk Radke, a New York partner at Kirkland who is fundraising for Clinton. ``There's the need for a better posture within the international community.''

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20070731/pl_bloomberg/aeequrm6pgvw;_ylt=AgwaC_UoFX2P6UFSOZDhw.Os0NUE

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. This is just plain sick.

I need to take a bath after reading this slimey article. If Hillary doesn't give it back, then I know there's a world out there I don't want any part of.

[David Dunham]

2. That law firm has LOTS of Democratic lawyers at it

[xultar]

4. Err don't even go down that lane. Apparently we don't accept donations from

lawyers or past republicans.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. That's one of my beefs with law firms.

And you wonder why people are wary of the DLC and old guard Dems.

[xultar]

9. So all lawyers are DLC?

[The Backlash Cometh]

32. Perceptions are everything.

I suppose it's an occupational hazard with lawyers because they're so ready to argue both sides of any argument, that it isn't a difficult leap to see them taking either side whenever it behooves their interest.

Are there good lawyers that defy these perceptions? You bet. Right now, Patrick Fitzgerald is gold!

[Seabiscuit]

53. I didn't realize I was DLC (or even a closet Republican for that matter).

I am a lawyer.

Thanks for enlightening me.

I've been suffering from the demented delusion for the past 40-50 years that I was a progressive Democrat, the kind Republicans brand as "far left".

All those contributions I imagined I was making to flakes like Dean and Kucinich must have made their way into the Bushie pockets. Stupid me.

[The Backlash Cometh]

59. Unfortunately, I've been bullied too much by too many lawyers.

Just a wee peasant with no access to the kind of money it takes to bring them down. So, they threaten and bully, using their co-horts to send the message.

Thusly, I have ambivalent feelings about the law profession.

[Seabiscuit]

67. At least you recognize where your animosity comes from.

I used to hate lawyers when I was young because my father was a lawyer but mostly he was just a pig.

Then I grew up and forgot about him.

[Jackpine Radical]

48. No, but all Clintons are.

Well, I don't actually know about Chelsea.


(Duck. Cover.)

[NashVegas]

57. Isn't Chelsea in Hedge-Fund Management?

Nothing personal against her but what more do you need to know?

[The Backlash Cometh]

62. Please say it isn't so!

[NashVegas]

63. Sorry

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15549672/

[The Backlash Cometh]

64. sigh.

Another triangulator. I don't know too many Philosophy majors who get jobs at pricey Hedge Fund Agencies.

[onenote]

40. your beef with law firms is that they hire both repubs and dems?

I started my career at a pretty well known DC law firm with pretty good Democratic credentials. But no on ever asked me about my politics. They hired me and others based on their perception of my skills as an attorney. Most of the other lawyers hired around the same time were also Democrats, but a few were repubs. And no one asked them either.

As for firms that do a lot of lobbying (my firm didn't in those days), it makes perfect sense to have both repubs and Democrats since your clients will expect you to be able to make their case on both sides of the aisle.

[The Backlash Cometh]

60. I don't know why I have to spell this out for you if you're on this newsgroup.

In a State which is steep in cronyism, when a partner, especially one from a law firm with strong political connections, finds themselves in trouble for exceeding the law and that law firm is in jeopardy of losing money and/or reputation, if they have to bandy together to protect their livelihood, they will, forget party lines. So, when their opponent is just commonman Joe, those sons of bitches wouldn't think twice about sizing up the situation and applying improper pressure on that person.

So nice to see that the only ones that run to their defense on this newsgroup are other lawyers. I guess members of the public have different experiences with you all.

[Seabiscuit]

68. Well, maybe I'm an exception.

I'm a lawyer but I'm not "running to their defense".

[xultar]

3. Errr WTF why should she give it back. Don't dems need donations?

Should we return all monies that came from republicans who don't like bush?

What am i on opposite land. Did some effin space ship take me to a planet just like earth but everything is opposite?

:wtf:

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Yes.

[xultar]

11. Exactly what I thought. I am for sure on opposite world.

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. And you wonder why Clinton has such a perception problem?

[onenote]

41. so you think hillary should give back the money. What about Obama?

Should he give it back. What about John Kerry who got thousands of dollars in contributions from Kirkland attorneys in 2003-04.

There are very strong Democrats and very strong repubs at that firm, just as there are at most big firms. One Kirkland attorney donated over $22,000 to Democratic candidates in the past two election cycles.

Geez..

[The Backlash Cometh]

49. And that is the source of our problem, isn't it?

We vote people into office, and we never know who their allegiances are to until it's time for them to throw down. But once they do, they're marked.

If the principle behind networking is true, and it's not what you know but, who you know, why would some little insignificant person like me want to be play this game? I'm never going to rub elbows with any of these people, I don't have the kind of money to get that kind of access, my face is not the one they're going to have plasted in their minds when the go to vote, so why try to get involved at all on a $1.00 a day budget?

So what do I do? Watch as they vote to see where their allegiances fall. Money buys politicians, but some get more bought than others. Kerry never had a chance to reveal how far he would go to the corporate side, but that he was the prosecutor in the Iran-Contra situation certainly helps his image. And it's too early to tell for Obama.

Hillary is a seasoned player who has already shown she's adept at playing the game and, in my book, she's marked.

[liberalnurse]

46. Who cares where it comes from?

I don't, as long as it is legal. My experience is it all spends the same way and opens door I choose to open a whole lot faster...It.s all about how you spend it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

50. See my response above your post.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

51. yeah cos you were so going to vote for her before this

:eyes:

[The Backlash Cometh]

61. Lucky you. I don't vote in the primaries.

And I will vote for her in the November elections if she passes the gauntlet.

Apparently, you will too although you must know that she wouldn't support all of your views, nor are you even attempting to put her in the hot seat to find out if she might. So, which of us is the coward? At least I'm brave enough to ask now, while there's still time to make a difference.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

65. asking on du is hardly asking her. i already know where my views with hrs collide and where they

dont.

[The Backlash Cometh]

66. Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I doubt I would change her mind

if I could. However, by speaking up on the blogs where I might find common ground with others, we might be able to reach a pitch loud enough for her to hear.

[applegrove]

5. At least it is a sign some Repukes do really think Dems will win in 2008.

[Kolesar]

6. Kirkland & Ellis are buying access. It is not that they are "disenfranchised with the war"...eom

[xultar]

10. OK that is fucking DUMB. Then why not give money to the Dem party, Obama or Edwards?

Because SURELY CLINTON HATES THEIR GUTS.
I don't think she'll give them any fucking access.

[Maccagirl]

12. If she does give them access

than SHE'S fucking dumb.

[xultar]

14. Do you honestly think SHE'S fucking dumb? Cuz she's not. Not after what she went though.

She's not gonna give them access but she's gonna take their dough and I say...take the $$$ sistah.

[IChing]

16. If people would read the rest of the article it gives a breakdown

and explanations on who they put their money on.

[NashVegas]

58. Exactly

...

[BonnieJW]

17. Nope.

It means that the repubs want Hillary to be the dem nominee because she's the one candidate the repubs can beat. Why do you think Rupert Murdock contributed so generously to Sen Clinton? They WANT her to run.

[applegrove]

18. I disagree. But that is okay. We can agree to disagree.

[applegrove]

23. See this article on the Landslide Lead House Dems have for '08.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x298011

[rinsd]

30. "Rupert Murdock contributed so generously to Sen Clinton"

$4K is a generous contribution?

This tale gets taller every time its told. I suppose next time he will be the sole financier of her campaign.

[IChing]

34. Rupert Murdock HOSTED the fund raising party and she attended

(CBS/AP) Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., attended a fundraiser Monday for her Senate re-election campaign hosted by conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

There was shock and upset when the Clinton-Murdoch fundraiser was initially announced and the two have tried to downplay the event ever since, reported the New York Daily News. Even when Clinton left the News Corp. Manhattan offices, she exited by a side door.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/18/politics/main1816866.shtml

[rinsd]

37. Wow he hosted a whole fundraiser for her SENATE campaign.

[IChing]

39. Yes only ONE year ago and she didn't need the money

So I guess you approve?

[IChing]

42. I guess silence is approval

[rinsd]

55. Yeah silence is approval

:eyes:

Couldn't be that I was away from the computer or anything.

[rinsd]

56. So why the smear by association?

What has Hillary done to assist Murdoch?

[bvar22]

35. Personal contributions are limited by law, however

holding exclusive fundraisers are open ended.
Murdoch is a Hillary "Fundraiser".

"The Murdoch fundraiser for Hillary Clinton - under the radar
"On Monday, July 17, 2006, at Fox News headquarters in New York City, Rupert Murdoch hosted a fundraiser breakfast for Hillary Clinton. Then he rushed off to a fundraiser lunch for John McCain, and Hillary rushed off to announce her unqualified support for Israel's and Bush's war policies."

http://www.newshounds.us/2006/07/18/the_murdoch_fundraiser_for_hillary_clinton_under_the_radar.php

I am unable to find out the fund raising totals for this event. It was an exclusive, invitation only fundraiser held in private at Fox News HQ, but we can assume that it was attended by Murdoch's billionaire friends purchasing influence in Hillary's pay to play machine.


Follow the Money!

[Bitwit1234]

13. Let me get this correct......

You have a law firm that has MOSTLY democratic members. One might be a republican. So the democratic law firm gives a person money for their campaign, but because ONE or maybe TWO members of the firm happen to be republican they should give it back.

Golly gee whiz. Should we have someone run around and find how many republicans are in an organization and IF there are any the democrat should give the money back. Tsk tsk tsk ...how low can you go.

[xultar]

15. Like I said. DU is on opposite world today. It looks like DU but it's all oppositiey.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

52. people will do anything it takes to slander hillary.

[Mz Pip]

19. Looks like Ken Starr

needs to find another law firm.

Instead of trashing Clinton for taking money from this law firms money we could just as easily trash Starr for hanging around with Democrats. Looks like he's been punked. Awkward!!!!

Mz Pip
:dem:

[ooglymoogly]

20. Their wind sock is up and working...they know a democrat is going

to win election despite the crooked pug election fraud, treason. Hillery is just the closest thing to a republican they can hope for.

[IChing]

21. Kirkland Law firm protection of corporate interests (hardly democrats)

While Kirkland made its early reputation as a champion of the first amendment,
over the years the firm became more associated with the protection of corporate interests.

In fact, during the 1990s the managing partner of the Washington office, Tom Yannucci,
became the scourge of news organizations, engendering both fear and respect for
his success in defamation cases. His media law practice began in 1993 when
he represented General Motors in its suit against "Dateline NBC," which was found
to have used hidden explosives to spice up a crash test demonstration.

Over the next several years he would take on the ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN,
the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Consumer Reports, and Reuters.

His clients would include tobacco company Brown & Williamson and Chiquita Brands International.

Richard Porter, was found to have faxed an affidavit in the Jones case to the Tribune
before it was officially filed in court. Porter was a former aide to President George H. Bush
and Vice-President Quayle, overseeing opposition research on Vice-Presidential candidate Al Gore.
Porter also was involved in directing Linda Tripp, who had secretly tape recorded conversations
with Monica Lewinsky regarding her relationship with the President, to Starr's office.
Kirkland maintained that Porter's activities were on his own time and did not represent a conflict.


http://www.answers.com/topic/kirkland-ellis-llp?cat=biz-fin

[maryallen]

36. There is only one party:

The Corporatist Party!

[IronLionZion]

22. tiny url for the article

http://tinyurl.com/yr7ut8

[glitch]

24. Maybe Ken Starr's coworkers don't really like him so much and they are zetzing him.

Can't really blame them. Is the Ellis in the name one of the Bush Ellises? Just curious.

[IChing]

25. More on the firm here, yes the Bush ellises

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Kirkland_%26_Ellis

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Falise

[glitch]

28. Interesting. Thanks for the links. nt

[JudyM]

26. It's a pity that so many had not a glimmer of foresight to see the damage about to be wrought by *

and so we all have to suffer the consequences for years to come.

[barb162]

27. Am I reading this right??? Are my eyes deceiving me?

My jaw is dropping.
Ken Starr... Ken Starr... Ken Starr....
That creep!

[tomg]

29. It's all just business. It hasn't got anything to do with

what people believe or don't believe. "Lawyers say the change is largely due to disenchantment with the Republican Party's social policies and the war in Iraq." Translation: they know Republicans are going to get their asses kicked, and Hillary ( from their point of view) looks like the best bet A) to do that and B) to not cause too many problems.

In a way, it is pretty funny.

[Deja Q]

33. Well, that makes up for Bill's need to unzip his trousers at every turn...

:sarcasm:

[goforit]

38. The proof is in the pudding!

[napi21]

43. Starr and Lefkowitz are NOT the only lawyers at that firm!

Did it ever occur to you that MAYBE they have at least Partners who hate the idea that the Pubs have tried to destroy the Constitution? Bruce Fine is STILL a Pub, but he's one of the strongest advocates of impeaching Shrub & Cheney!

[IChing]

44. Did you read who they represent in law suits?

[napi21]

45. No, but the lawyers I know never ask what Party are you with or

who did you vote for before they take your case. They want to make sure you can AFFORD TO PAY THEM, and is it a winnable case.

[Orangepeel]

47. maybe most of the lawyers there are giving to Clinton because think that Ken Starr is an asshole

I think he's an asshole, and I don't even work with him. The other lawyers in the firm probably hate his guts.

Clinton isn't even my candidate of choice (I'm supporting Edwards), but still feel the need to defend her from idiotic criticisms. "She should give the money back!" Why in the world? Lawyers have a right to donate to candidates, same as anyone else.

Why do people think it is nefarious that several people who work together gave to the same candidate? I just checked opensecrets.org, and more people at my organization gave to Clinton than any other candidate. What of it?

[Exiled in America]

54. This is not shocking, not abnormal and certainly nothing new. It's not news.

Hillary Clinton is doing no more or less than any other presumed-party nominee or any other front-running candidate of this election or any past election for many decades.

How long is it going to take until people get it through there heads that corporations and the elite business class have bought government. All government - judiciary, legislative and executive, republican and democrat. They give money to both political parties. And they don't just do this based on which party they think is going to win. They regularly give money to both sides in the same election cycle.

Hillary Clinton is well on her way to being the most heavily corporate "sponsored" candidate in history. "Business loves Hillary!" proclaims Forbes magazine. As well they should, they paid for her. And it's not just Hillary. Corporations have been about the business of buying out government for decades.

Anyone who thinks that any part of the government truly works for the 80% of people anymore is in some serious state of delusion. Government has become just and extension of the Corporation. The Corporation doesn't have much concern about whether the government bans gay marriage or allows it, or whether a woman can choose or not - as long as the Government continues to follow orders when it comes to economics, taxation, regulation, and international policy.