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.
Too bad there's not a 3rd party Naderite kook in there to shake things up.
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
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.)
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 >
"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...
They might as well learn early!
