Clinton defends her lobbyist money

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Clinton defends her lobbyist money


Clinton answers questions Wednesday night after speaking at Iowa State University.

AMES, Iowa (CNN) — Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, further emphasized her position when it comes to federal lobbyists Wednesday night by saying that it's "artificial for someone to say that they don't take money from lobbyists or PACs but they take money from the individuals who employ the lobbyists and who set up the PACs."

Clinton has been criticized by fellow Democratic opponents in recent months for saying that she will continue to accept donations from federal lobbyists. Both Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and former Sen. John Edwards, D-North Carolina, have both made not taking that money a staple of their campaigns.

"I ask people to look at what I've done, what I advocate, and what I've voted for. I know that some of my opponents make this as an issue, but…it is more important what you stand for."

"If you do take money from the people that employ the lobbyists, what's the difference?"

The comments came in response to a question from an audience member after Clinton's speech to the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics on the campus of Iowa State University. Before asking the question, the woman–who said she was a supporter of Clinton's campaign–said she hoped it wouldn't "come across as negative."

"Don't worry, honey. I've been asked nearly everything in my life," Clinton said laughing.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/25/clinton-defends-her-lobbyist-money/

[rinsd]

1. That is a pretty damn good response.

"I ask people to look at what I've done, what I advocate, and what I've voted for. I know that some of my opponents make this as an issue, but…it is more important what you stand for."

"If you do take money from the people that employ the lobbyists, what's the difference?"

[nightrider767]

2. No Influence of the process!?!

Big corporations and special interest groups are a rather smart lot.

I wonder why in the world they'd give money it had no influence?

Couldn't they just as well flush it down the toilet, or even heaven forbid, give it to charity?

what gives?

[Bitwit1234]

3. Do you have a link to Obama telling why he took that Chicago ganster's money...

[Lerkfish]

4. a non-answer answer

she's getting good at that, I must admit.

[MethuenProgressive]

5. Nice dig at the hypocrisy of Obama and Edwards

it's "artificial for someone to say that they don't take money from lobbyists or PACs but they take money from the individuals who employ the lobbyists and who set up the PACs."