Davis hits up students for cash: Asking $100 each from UC Democrats

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | May 12, 2002 | Carla Marinucci, Greg Lucas

[sarcasm]

The invitation to young Democrats at UC Berkeley was enticing, offering an unusual opportunity to speak with their party's leader, Gov. Gray Davis, only a few days after he won the March primary.

But there was a catch.

"I am sure all of you know students and young professionals who are politically interested," said the letter from Mike Montgomery, a fund-raiser for Davis. "This is a great opportunity to interact with the governor for a mere $100."

[RightOnline]

""It was so direct. It's, 'These guys are giving me the money, and I've got to listen,' " the CEO said. "This is entirely about, 'If you give me money, I will do this for you.'"

He learned from Clinton well, didn't he? I'm not naive enough to believe that such things haven't been going on for a long, long time............but the outright brazen nature of this "pay for access" is right out of the Clinton playbook.

Also, I can't help but point out that the Democrats always like to posture themselves as "for the working man; for the little guy"..............and promptly sell themselves to the highest bidder. Hypocrites, all.

[petuniasevan]

I love the sound of Democratic infighting in the morning -
sounds like freedom from Grayout Davis and his panhandling cronies.

[Calico Cat]

What a dummy--who hits up a college student for money? In my college days, I felt fortunate if I had five bucks left over after I paid for books and rent.

[randita]

As governor of a state heavily populated with koolaid drinkers, Davis can get away with anything he wants. Who are the koolaid drinkers going to vote for--Simon?

Too bad there's not a 3rd party Naderite kook in there to shake things up.

[RJayneJ]

Click the icon.

[RWCon]

$10.00 for grade schoolers; 50 for highschool; only 5 for kindergarten

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

A mere $100???? I would have felt like a millionaire had I had a mere $100 in my college days. Had I found to have had that much money at one point, I assure you I would have spent it on myself first. I suggest everybody mail him Monopoly money.

[daviddennis]

Note this well:

Davis' chief campaign strategist, Garry South, argues that the governor -- who lacks the deep pockets of wealthy Simon -- has no practical choice but to solicit a broad range of support in California, where getting a message to 15 million voters requires expensive media in 16 major television markets.

... conveniently ignoring his massive warchest - it's up to somewhere over $40 million now, and still growing.

Hopefully it will stall thanks to this story.

In the mean time, I still haven't gotten an adequate response as to why politicians have to advertise when their words and positions are reported by news media all over the place.

If someone is really affected by the nonsense that is most political advertising, they shouldn't be voting in the first place.

D

[heleny]

"the reason he didn't sign (the bill) is 'because you didn't give him money.'"

Davis will deny ever instructing his staff to say such things. Then he will try to wash his hands of the issue by firing an aide and claiming he knew nothing. (Maybe he'll profess to be mystified by how fundraising works.)

[CounterCounterCulture]

What a dummy--who hits up a college student for money?

The things college kids waste money on when they acquire these new credit cards thinking they never have to repay them, then blaming the evil, greedy coorporations when the bill comes.

[Southack]

""As a Democrat, I support Gov. Davis," said Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, 24, a law student and party activist. "But I can't support the decision to charge students to meet with him."

Translation: I'm a mind-numbed college student who's been brainwashed by my Leftist, PC-spewing professors, so I'll support any Democrat over all others even though I disagree with the corrupt Democrat in question.

Ahhh, students. Rebels, all... < /SARCASM >

[Southack]

"Most ask that their names not be used, saying they fear retribution from the powerful governor or his staff."

"I'm not naive. . . . We've contributed quite a bit of money and sat next to him at dinner," said one prominent [but anonynmous] California chief executive officer who said he has given more than $25,000 to the governor. "I know people give money to get access."

"The sentiments are echoed by a prominent state lawyer and Democratic activist, who said she was "astonished" by the Davis campaign's letter to the Cal students. But the attorney, who also spoke to The Chronicle only on the condition of anonymity, was not surprised."

Telling...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Now the Chronicle is dumping on Davis.

What is going on!

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[Carry_Okie]

I think this is a wonderful thing for Bray Davis to do. He is involving young people in politics and teaching them how it really works. He is also teaching them about the extortive nature of democratic politics: paying a lot for a lousy and opressive socialist product.

They might as well learn early!

[AmishDude]

This is really shameless.

[AmishDude]

Ahhh, students. Rebels, all...

Question Authority: Vote Republican!

[ElkGroveDan]