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Getbig Main Boards => Politics and Political Issues Board => Topic started by: Soul Crusher on May 05, 2010, 09:33:33 AM
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Obama biggest recipient of BP cash
By: Erika Lovley
www.politico.com
May 5, 2010 05:05 AM EDT
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While the BP oil geyser pumps millions of gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico, President Barack Obama and members of Congress may have to answer for the millions in campaign contributions they’ve taken from the oil and gas giant over the years.
BP and its employees have given more than $3.5 million to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Donations come from a mix of employees and the company’s political action committees — $2.89 million flowed to campaigns from BP-related PACs and about $638,000 came from individuals.
On top of that, the oil giant has spent millions each year on lobbying — including $15.9 million last year alone — as it has tried to influence energy policy.
During his time in the Senate and while running for president, Obama received a total of $77,051 from the oil giant and is the top recipient of BP PAC and individual money over the past 20 years, according to financial disclosure records.
An Obama spokesman rejected the notion that the president took big oil money.
“President Obama didn’t accept a dime from corporate PACs or federal lobbyists during his presidential campaign,” spokesman Ben LaBolt said. “He raised $750 million from nearly four million Americans. And since he became president, he rolled back tax breaks and giveaways for the oil and gas industry, spearheaded a G20 agreement to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and made the largest investment in American history in clean energy incentives.”
In Congress, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who last week cautioned that the incident should “not be used inappropriately” to halt Obama’s push for expansion of offshore drilling, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of BP’s largesse. Her comments created some blowback, with critics complaining that she is too blasé about the impact of the disaster, even though she was among the first lawmakers to call for a federal investigation into the spill.
As the top congressional recipient in the last cycle and one of the top BP cash recipients of the past two decades, Landrieu banked almost $17,000 from the oil giant in 2008 alone and has lined her war chest with more than $28,000 in BP cash overall.
“Campaign contributions, from energy companies or from environmental groups, have absolutely no impact on Sen. Landrieu’s policy agenda or her response to this unprecedented disaster in the Gulf,” said Landrieu spokesman Aaron Saunders. “The senator is proud of the broad coalition she’s built since her first day in the Senate to address the energy and environmental challenges in Louisiana and in the nation. This disaster only makes the effort to promote and save Louisiana’s coast all that more important.”
Several BP executives have given directly to Landrieu’s campaign, including current and previous U.S. operation Presidents Lamar McKay and Robert Malone. Other donors include Margaret Hudson, BP’s America vice president, and Benjamin Cannon, federal affairs director for the U.S. branch. Donations ranged from $1,000 to $2,300 during the past campaign cycle.
Environmentalists complain that Landrieu has played down the impact of oil spills.
“I mean, just the gallons are so minuscule compared to the benefits of U.S. strength and security, the benefits of job creation and energy security,” Landrieu said at a hearing last month on offshore drilling. “So while there are risks associated with everything, I think you understand that they are quite, quite minimal.”
“They own Mary Landrieu and the rest of the Louisiana delegation,” said Greenpeace Research Director Kert Davies. “They have more money, disposable income and a fleet of dispensable lobbyists to beat the band.”
Other politicians with ties to coastal states or states with BP refineries have also reaped benefits from the fourth largest company in the world.
The top congressional recipients of BP campaign cash include Republican Rep. Don Young of the oil-intensive Alaska delegation, who has received almost as much as Obama, raking in $73,300 during his congressional tenure. Also on the list is Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), whose state has a BP refinery in Toledo and who has raked in $41,400. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has received $44,899.
“Make no mistake: BP ranks among the most powerful corporate forces in U.S. politics,” said Dave Levinthal, spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics. “It donates hundreds of thousands of dollars every election cycle through its employees and political action committee and is routinely a seven- or eight-figure federal lobbying powerhouse each year.”
In 2008 alone, BP gave $37,000 to members of the House Energy Committee and $106,501 to members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which deals with security issues facing the nation’s oil supply.
BP has also evolved in its corporate giving over the past decade, shifting more money to Democrats. In 2000, the company gave almost 39 percent more to Republicans than to Democrats. But by 2008, Democrats had nearly pulled even with Republicans on BP donations.
Moreover, the company has nearly tripled the amount of money it has spent on lobbying, from about $5.7 million in 1999 to $15.9 million last year, according to lobbying disclosures.
BP has bulked up its K Street team by signing some of the biggest firms in Washington, several of which employ former Hill staffers with deep-seated ties to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico coast.
BP representation within lobby shop Alpine Group alone includes lobbyist Bob Brooks, who served as chief of staff to former Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.), and lobbyist Rebecca Hawes, a longtime counsel for former Sen. John Breaux (D-La.). Jason Schendle worked for Landrieu for nine years, according to lobbying disclosures.
Former Rep. Jim Turner, now a lobbyist for BP with Arnold & Porter, formerly represented the 2nd District of Texas, which includes a large piece of Gulf shoreline. And at DC Legislative and Regulatory Services, BP lobbyist David Marin was formerly the lead Hill staffer for Congress’s Select Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.
“First, they are exceedingly competent. Second, they are [Democratic-centric]. I know the first will help enormously in the next few weeks. I am not so sure about the second,” said Republican energy lobbyist Mike McKenna of MWR Strategies, who predicted that Landrieu would quite likely get “very wide latitude” on the oil issue. “That may not be the case with BP, whose record is a bit more spotty.”
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Cheney's fault.
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If I remember right, you have a stated conspiracy theory over this. I don't remember the post, can you restate it?
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Did I?
I think I said that the timing was convenient, but thats about it.
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Aren't obama - and the dems - pushing for a retroactive change in legislation so that BP can be fined 10 BILLION instead of the old $75 mil limit?
Yes, I can see how fining them 10 billion dollars shows he's in bed with them.
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What does that have to do with the story?
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Did I?
I think I said that the timing was convenient, but thats about it.
I thought you stated a little more about that. It was your post that had me looking for more on the net. Something over the whole global warming carbon credits thing and that being possible motive?
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Oh that of course! i have no dout in my mind secretly that obama and rahm are going to use this to push cap & trade etc etc.
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Oh that of course! i have no dout in my mind secretly that obama and rahm are going to use this to push cap & trade etc etc.
but I thought you were suggesting there might be a hand in this by Obama? I've seen it in a few places now and I thought about this after hearing Fox News, their morning show, mention it the other day. I was like, oh yea, that's what 3333 was talking about.
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I dont remember. But I do agree that secretely Obama will use this crisis to ram through some other traitorous shit he otherwise could not.
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I hope they can retroactively hit them with a bigger fine. This is the cost of oil though that you don't see everyday. I would love for their to be a change in business practices regarding this where companies pay for their environmental impacts each and every year as part of their taxes. This would force them to look into ways at making things safer and better for all without unnecessary legislation and law suits.
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Obama also slashed those tax breaks the oil companies enjoyed so much.
Yes, BP employees gave more $ to Obama than mccain... they were under the same "hope and change" spell as employees at every other company. Hell, were there ANY companies (aside from the NRA maybe) that donated more $ collectively to Mccain? He sucked and palin was stupid - people didn't want to throw away their $ on that ticket.
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I dont remember. But I do agree that secretely Obama will use this crisis to ram through some other traitorous shit he otherwise could not.
so would that be synonymous with saying the Bush Admin/neoconservatives used 9/11 for their goals?
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This is why I dont feel bad for any moron upset with obama who voted for him and acts surprised at anything now.
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This is why I dont feel bad for any moron upset with obama who voted for him and acts surprised at anything now.
:-\ ??? busted....
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How am I busted? I didnt vote for him.
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How am I busted? I didnt vote for him.
no, I meant me.... I'm busted.... I voted for him....
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Hey, I volunteered for GWB in 2004. We all screw up.
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Hey, I volunteered for GWB in 2004. We all screw up.
bonus is, I knew my vote wouldn't matter either way. I voted in Wyoming which I knew 100% would go for McCain as it did. So I voted knowing my vote for Obama didn't mean jack shit. but, I did want Obama to win so I am guilty in that respect.
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Do you think its any different for me in NYC?
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Do you think its any different for me in NYC?
lol, good point ;D
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Hugo, very cool of you to admit that even though you voted for him, you don't agree with much of what he is doing/does. I am so tired of people I run into that are still wearing the damn t-shirt from the election....jeez people, give it a rest.
We just need to get more people on the Ron Paul wagon before 2012! ;D
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Hugo, very cool of you to admit that even though you voted for him, you don't agree with much of what he is doing/does. I am so tired of people I run into that are still wearing the damn t-shirt from the election....jeez people, give it a rest.
We just need to get more people on the Ron Paul wagon before 2012! ;D
BOOOOOOM!!! thank you Showstoppa!!! Ron Paul was my first choice but I made the mistake of holding out thinking he would run as an independent if he didn't win the primary. I fucked up and should have swiched before the primary and voted Ron Paul. Big fuckup on my part. And I do admit it.
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Don't beat yourself over it Hugo.
The NWO selected Obama a long time ago and RP, SP, GSP, BJP, or anyone else had a chance in 2008.
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BOOOOOOM!!! thank you Showstoppa!!! Ron Paul was my first choice but I made the mistake of holding out thinking he would run as an independent if he didn't win the primary. I fucked up and should have swiched before the primary and voted Ron Paul. Big fuckup on my part. And I do admit it.
Sadly, I didn't take the time to really look into RP soon enough. The only exposure was signs stuck in the ground and a few bumper stickers. When I really started looking into him, I wish I had known sooner to help his campaign. No candidate is perfect, but he is intelligent enough to know he isn't infallible...problem we've had with many of our recent presidents.....and I see him as the kinda guy who would put things in place that would benefit us for years and years to come. Not just stop gap garbage to appease voters.
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Obama biggest recipient of BP cash
By: Erika Lovley
www.politico.com
May 5, 2010 05:05 AM EDT
________________________ _________________
While the BP oil geyser pumps millions of gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico, President Barack Obama and members of Congress may have to answer for the millions in campaign contributions they’ve taken from the oil and gas giant over the years.
Why would Obama have to answer for campaign contributions to BP in the past?
If what the headlines alledge is true, ...then his vehement stance that BP is responsible and will shoulder the costs of this impact clearly demonstrates he wasn't bought by BP. If anything, it suggests an overwhelming influence by Halliburton. I'm surprised they've been able to fly under the radar for so long.
I heard a really disturbing statistic today. I don't know if it's true, but it is claimed that a mere 1 quart of motor oil, is enough to make over 250,000 gallons of oceans toxic to aquatic wildflife. Currently, conservative estimates claim there is upwards of 210,000 gallons of oil per day spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, some say more likely 500,000 gallons per day, but all agree this could last for a minimum of 3 months provided current efforts to cap the well are successful.
That's 45,000,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Lets do the math. If 1 quart of oil can destroy 250,000 gallons of ocean, what impact will 450,000,000 gallons have? Are you beginning to get the magnitude of the environmental impact this will have? Devastating does not even come close to describing it! And as this water turns around the Florida keys and goes up the Atlantic Seaboard, what impact will this have? This could very well destroy the oceans of the world. not to mention the fact that the oceans are critical to maintaining the proper oxygen levels for sustaining human life. And if the whole thing is lit ablaze, can you imagine the carcinogenic smoke produced? Like the people of the Gulf, especially NO have not experienced enough with Katrina... now this? The housing markets and financial crisis hasn't been too friendly to Florida, ...now their fishing industry will be devastated, as will those of the entire eastern seaboard. Thank Goodness Healthcare Reform passsed, ...cause it's beginning to look like there are gonna be a lot of very sick people very soon from eating oil soaked seafood, ...and if you for a minute think none of this compromised seafood will get into the food chain, you are woefully naive. I'm gonna miss my Atlantic smoked salmon with capers lemons, dill and spanish onions. :'(
We've got droughts drying up North American produce in the West, frosts destroying produce in Florida, Oil spills devastating the fishing industries in the Gulf & the Atlantic, ...and Monsanto GMO crops destroying the grains. What will be left for us to eat... that's actually edible and won't kill us? ...dirt sandwiches like the people in Haiti? All this on the heels of a worldwide economic meltdown...
I'm not much of a religious person, but it's looking like the great tribulation is here.... and none of us on this board got raptured. :-\ Oh well, ...it's only 1.5 yrs to 2012 when the HAARP scientists will screw up so badly they wipe out all human life on the planet. Then peace will prevail, and mother nature will rejoice that she finally got rid of those foolish destructive parasites known as humans. </rant>
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Why would Obama have to answer for campaign contributions to BP in the past?
If what the headlines alledge is true, ...then his vehement stance that BP is responsible and will shoulder the costs of this impact clearly demonstrates he wasn't bought by BP. If anything, it suggests an overwhelming influence by Halliburton. I'm surprised they've been able to fly under the radar for so long.
I heard a really disturbing statistic today. I don't know if it's true, but it is claimed that a mere 1 quart of motor oil, is enough to make over 250,000 gallons of oceans toxic to aquatic wildflife. Currently, conservative estimates claim there is upwards of 210,000 gallons of oil per day spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, some say more likely 500,000 gallons per day, but all agree this could last for a minimum of 3 months provided current efforts to cap the well are successful.
That's 45,000,000 gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Lets do the math. If 1 quart of oil can destroy 250,000 gallons of ocean, what impact will 450,000,000 gallons have? Are you beginning to get the magnitude of the environmental impact this will have? Devastating does not even come close to describing it! And as this water turns around the Florida keys and goes up the Atlantic Seaboard, what impact will this have? This could very well destroy the oceans of the world. not to mention the fact that the oceans are critical to maintaining the proper oxygen levels for sustaining human life. And if the whole thing is lit ablaze, can you imagine the carcinogenic smoke produced? Like the people of the Gulf, especially NO have not experienced enough with Katrina... now this? The housing markets and financial crisis hasn't been too friendly to Florida, ...now their fishing industry will be devastated, as will those of the entire eastern seaboard. Thank Goodness Healthcare Reform passsed, ...cause it's beginning to look like there are gonna be a lot of very sick people very soon from eating oil soaked seafood, ...and if you for a minute think none of this compromised seafood will get into the food chain, you are woefully naive. I'm gonna miss my Atlantic smoked salmon with capers lemons, dill and spanish onions. :'(
We've got droughts drying up North American produce in the West, frosts destroying produce in Florida, Oil spills devastating the fishing industries in the Gulf & the Atlantic, ...and Monsanto GMO crops destroying the grains. What will be left for us to eat... that's actually edible and won't kill us? ...dirt sandwiches like the people in Haiti? All this on the heels of a worldwide economic meltdown...
I'm not much of a religious person, but it's looking like the great tribulation is here.... and none of us on this board got raptured. :-\ Oh well, ...it's only 1.5 yrs to 2012 when the HAARP scientists will screw up so badly they wipe out all human life on the planet. Then peace will prevail, and mother nature will rejoice that she finally got rid of those foolish destructive parasites known as humans. </rant>
Environmental groups warn that offshore drilling opens the door to oil spills and litter that could mar pristine beaches in Florida and California. But oil companies claim they have improved their drilling technology to the point that the risk of offshore oil spills is nearly nil. A joint study by NASA and the Smithsonian Institution found that more oil seeps into the ocean naturally than from drilling accidents. According to the study, natural underwater oil deposits leak some 62 million gallons of oil a year into the ocean compared with 15 million gallons from offshore drilling. Offshore drilling is actually the smallest source of oil pollution in the oceans, while runoff -- from activities like car owners changing their own oil -- is the largest at 363 million gallons per year.
Maybe we should ban nature itself because it seems like nature puts more oil into the sea then man.
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No worries here. BP lobbyist will donate more money to the DNC/RNC and both and get out of this. It's all about $$$$ and getting elected to keep it.
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Environmental groups warn that offshore drilling opens the door to oil spills and litter that could mar pristine beaches in Florida and California. But oil companies claim they have improved their drilling technology to the point that the risk of offshore oil spills is nearly nil. A joint study by NASA and the Smithsonian Institution found that more oil seeps into the ocean naturally than from drilling accidents. According to the study, natural underwater oil deposits leak some 62 million gallons of oil a year into the ocean compared with 15 million gallons from offshore drilling. Offshore drilling is actually the smallest source of oil pollution in the oceans, while runoff -- from activities like car owners changing their own oil -- is the largest at 363 million gallons per year.
Maybe we should ban nature itself because it seems like nature puts more oil into the sea then man.
I swear Billy, ...posting that sentence took some real balls! lol
Nature didn't destroy the fishing industry in the Gulf, but man's greed just did.
But what would you know about nature and natural foods? You who admittedly haven't had a fruit or vegetable in 20 yrs. You're all nasty chemicals so I guess you wouldn't mind your shrimp cocktail marinated in Quaker State's 10W40 rather than a spicy marinara dip.
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I swear Billy, ...posting that sentence took some real balls! lol
Nature didn't destroy the fishing industry in the Gulf, but man's greed just did.
But what would you know about nature and natural foods? You who admittedly haven't had a fruit or vegetable in 20 yrs. You're all nasty chemicals so I guess you wouldn't mind your shrimp cocktail marinated in Quaker State's 10W40 rather than a spicy marinara dip.
Yes,we evil humans are destroying everything.Who cares that man is living longer,why let facts get in the way of a lib talking point.
Lets see,in the 1800s we didnt have any of these evil companies polluting mother earth and life expentanies were about 20 years shorter then today.People were smaller as well.
Keep your left wing diatribes to yourself.By the way,I will outlive you so dont worry about me.
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I swear Billy, ...posting that sentence took some real balls! lol
Nature didn't destroy the fishing industry in the Gulf, but man's greed just did.
But what would you know about nature and natural foods? You who admittedly haven't had a fruit or vegetable in 20 yrs. You're all nasty chemicals so I guess you wouldn't mind your shrimp cocktail marinated in Quaker State's 10W40 rather than a spicy marinara dip.
Someone who sells gas caps for a living under a MLM scheme is not in a position to talk about anyone elses' alleged greed.
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Someone who sells gas caps for a living under a MLM scheme is not in a position to talk about anyone elses' alleged greed.
Are you even capable of staying on topic within a thread without bringing up gas caps?
I swear you think about them more than I do, ...and I make money with them.
Whatsamatter? feeling the pinch as the price of gas starts inching higher again... along with everything else? :'(
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Are you even capable of staying on topic within a thread without bringing up gas caps?
I swear you think about them more than I do, ...and I make money with them.
Whatsamatter? feeling the pinch as the price of gas starts inching higher again... along with everything else? :'(
What do you mean?We have the most brilliant president ever.How could things being going up?I thought this man was going to end racial strife,cause the ocean levels to go back down,heal the sick,make the blind to see,cause the deaf to hear and make the crippled walk?Are you admitting that he is a failure?Are you admitting he isnt THE ONE?
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Are you even capable of staying on topic within a thread without bringing up gas caps?
I swear you think about them more than I do, ...and I make money with them.
Whatsamatter? feeling the pinch as the price of gas starts inching higher again... along with everything else? :'(
I just saw an opportunity to throw a shot at you and went for it. ;D ;D
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What do you mean?We have the most brilliant president ever.How could things being going up?I thought this man was going to end racial strife,cause the ocean levels to go back down,heal the sick,make the blind to see,cause the deaf to hear and make the crippled walk?Are you admitting that he is a failure?Are you admitting he isnt THE ONE?
LOL. You need to take that shit up with Oprah. She called him 'The One'... not me. ;D
I'm not Oprah, ...although I wouldn't mind having her bank account. for a few weeks... just to see what it's like. :D
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I just saw an opportunity to throw a shot at you and went for it. ;D ;D
You need to find yourselk another bullet. you've used that one so much, I've developed a callous like kevlar.
At this point, it's just stale. {sigh} ...but thanks at least for manning up and admitting it was a cheap shot. :)
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LOL. You need to take that shit up with Oprah. She called him 'The One'... not me. ;D
I'm not Oprah, ...although I wouldn't mind having her bank account. for a few weeks... just to see what it's like. :D
But you are admitting that things are getting worse under Obama.