Posted on 01/17/2008 10:03:28 PM PST by EternalVigilance
Insisting that he is a Washington outsider, Mitt Romney has been captured on tape arguing with a reporter about whether a Washington lobbyist named Ron Kaufman runs or just advises his campaign for president. The more important issue is what Kaufman lobbies for. It turns out that Kaufman's firm, as well as another Romney adviser, Vin Weber, have worked to put more American taxpayer dollars into the coffers of the corrupt United Nations and other international agencies.
Kaufman's firm, Dutko Worldwide, represents and works directly with an organization chaired by Bill Clinton, the Global Fairness Initiative (GFI), whose board includes AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and is dedicated to promoting "a more equitable and sustainable world for all people." A press release describes the substantial connections between Dutko and GFI, with a Dutko official being quoted as saying, "Dutko Global Advisors is proud to support the work and mission" of GFI "because its work is fundamentally about nurturing the virtuous cycle of free and fair trade, the creation of economic opportunities, and harmonious relations worldwide." The group appears to be mostly devoted to pursuing international agreements or arrangements protecting labor rights and the environment in "fair trade" deals. This is, of course, a major demand of liberal and union groups.
Dutko also says it represented or has "worked with" various "multilateral organizations," including the U.N.'s International Labor Organization and World Health Organization, and endeavors to "educate" the Congress and others about the "globally respected" work of the U.N. and its agencies. "Many multi-lateral organizations receive dues allocations from US government, as well as funds ear-marked for projects and programs important to public policies pursued by the US government," Dutko says. The implication is that Dutko can keep the taxpayer dollars flowing to such causes.
But that's not all. Romney adviser and lobbyist Vin Weber, a former congressman and member of the board of the Council on Foreign Relations, worked for an organization promoting a U.S. taxpayer financial bailout of the United Nations. This group, the so-called Emergency Coalition for Financial Support of the U.N, included the pro-world government World Federalist Association, National Council of Churches, Catholics for a Free Choice, Americans for Democratic Action, and the United Nations Association.
The purpose of the Emergency Coalition for Financial Support of the U.N. was to get the U.S. Congress to pay a financial "debt" to the world organization. But the "debt" was phony because the world body never gave the U.S. credit for certain contributions to U.N. peacekeeping operations that amounted to billions of dollars above what the U.S. supposedly owed the world body. I wrote about this issue extensively during the late 1990s. You can read my Cato Institute report on the subject here.
Eventually, Senator Jesse Helms, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Joseph Biden, ranking Democrat on the committee, agreed to payment of the so-called "debt" in exchange for certain U.N. "reforms," such as a prohibition on the world body advocating global taxes on the American people.
A representative of the Romney campaign defended Weber's work on the issue, saying his purpose was to work with Helms to make sure the money was paid to the U.N. But most of the U.N. "reforms" were not carried out and, in making the deal, Helms himself had noted that the U.S. was not getting credit or reimbursement for billions of dollars of extra contributions to the world organization. Indeed, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett had introduced the "U.N. Erroneous Debt Act" demanding proper credit for past peacekeeping assistance. Most of the extra assistance had been illegally diverted by the Clinton Administration from the Defense Department in support of U.N. military activities.
Weber, who backed Senator John McCain for president in 2000, was announced as Romney's "policy chairman" in January of 2007 and was described as overseeing "all policy development."
Romney was one of the last GOP presidential candidates to come out against the U.N.'s Law of the Sea Treaty, now pending before the U.S. Senate. He did so through a statement from a spokesman, Kevin Madden, who said that "Governor Romney has concerns with the Law of the Sea Treaty. He believes giving unaccountable international institutions more power is a serious problem." The Romney statement was considered mild compared to those of other candidates.
Weber is chief executive officer and partner of the lobbying firm, Clark & Weinstock, which says that it has "represented a blue-chip roster of Fortune 500 Companies and some of the most influential organizations in the world" but its website has no details. The section of its website on clients "is under development and will be completed Fall 2007," which of course was last year.
Romney adviser Kaufman, a former aide to President Reagan, has impressive Republican credentials. He is a member of the Republican National Committee and still serves as an adviser to the former President Bush. But his involvement in the firm's international operations, known as Dutko Global Advisors, has put him into direct contact with and representation of prominent Democrats and their causes.
By its own admission, the Dutko Global Advisors represents "sovereign governments," non-governmental organizations, and "foreign entities." Its "experts" are said to be good at forging "unique relationships with governments and multilateral institutions through the creation of public private partnerships."
One of those foreign entities, according to published reports, is Citgo, the U.S. subsidiary of the oil firm run by Venezuela's anti-American ruler Hugo Chavez.
Karen A. Tramantano, the "principal" of Dutko Global Advisers, is listed on the website of the Global Fairness Initiative as president of the GFI board and a senior adviser to the International Labor Organization Director General. She was a chief of staff to John Sweeney, when he ran the Service Employees International Union, and from 1997 to 2000 was an Assistant to President Clinton.
Nancy A. Donaldson, one of several advisors to GFI, is identified as a Vice President with Dutko Worldwide and someone who worked on "the release of the frozen U.S. payments to the UN." This is another reference to the phony U.N. "debt" issue.
Sally Painter, the Treasurer/Secretary of the GFI, is the Managing Director of Dutko Global Advisors and served as Executive Director of the Business Coalition for US-China Trade, "where she helped secure passage of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China," her bio states.
Under the heading of "international development finance," Dutko says that it advises corporate clients on "economic investment and project financing" in other countries "without tapping their corporate assets or expending significant capital." It goes on to say, "Our development finance international team has a proven track record of providing clients with access to capital and project financing, both short and long term, that does not risk corporate assets and with terms that are economical. To achieve these goals, Dutko identifies resources within international financial institutions that lower the cost of financing and reduce corporate economic and political risks."
These international financial institutions are, of course, heavily financed by U.S. taxpayers. They include the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The "links" page of the GFI website, based on affiliations through the GFI board of directors, directs people to such organizations as the Clinton Global Initiative, the Clinton Presidential Center, the AFL-CIO and the Dutko firm.
Romney's confrontation with Glen Johnson of the Associated Press over lobbyists involved with his presidential campaign was sparked by Romney's statement that "I don't have lobbyists running my campaign. I don't have lobbyists that are tied to my�" Johnson interrupted by citing Kaufman. Romney countered by suggesting that Kaufman was a minor figure in the campaign, even though he is seen traveling with the former Massachusetts governor and has participated in sessions designed to prepare Romney for presidential debates.
Kaufman has also appeared on various television programs on behalf of Romney, identified as "the senior adviser" to the campaign.
The AP's Johnson is being attacked by some conservative bloggers as an obnoxious left-wing journalist. It would be easy to take a shot at the media under these circumstances. But real conservatives concerned about policies and issues should not throw the questions aside. They are legitimate. The credibility of Romney is just as important as the manners of the press.
Cliff Kincaid is the Editor of the AIM Report and can be reached at cliff.kincaid@aim.org
Enlighten me. That’s why I posted.
It’s only “something” because of Romney’s blatant hypocrisy on the subject.
What McRomney failed to comprehend in his recent stump here in MI is that I'm downsizing. I have a bunch of qualified employees and all I need is a single excuse to let one go.
He's gone.
Now give me some ammo against HuckaPhoney (similar to this).
The fact of the matter is that all I'll have to deal with is decide whether to vote for Hunter, Thompson or Guiliani. As you can see my troubles will be few.
If you are a flipper..what does it matter to you?
Yawn.
That’s the same lie the Huck fans tell themselves when their lyin’ cr*p gets exposed ...
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/NEWS0206/80117105/-1/RSS05
Perfect.
I have survived Pissant, and Counterpunch and really intelligent ridicule by many FReepers. I don't think I can take you and your strange asperger's like way of thinking. Your obsession with attacking Mitt Romney is unhealthy, sick even. You supposedly support Alan Keyes per a previous post, but you don't post anything about the guy. I can't see that Romney is a threat to Keyes or your VP position on the Keyes/EternalVigilance ticket.
I won't be viewing anymore of your posts. I recommend everyone else do the same. No point in encouraging his delusions. He might hurt himself.
W”ho do you support? give me a few minutes and I will find someone he associates with that is problematic.”
That’s good spin, but it don’t wash my laundry worth a damn.
Romney is doing more than “associating” with Vin Weber. Webber is an active globalist in favor of Big Daddy UN... ROMNEY HAS NAMED VIN WEBBER HIS POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THE CAMPAIGN. Now, do you think, if elected, Romney will just tell Mr. Webber “Adios muchacho”? Want to bet that Vin Webber will continue to “advise” a President Romney about what policy decisions he ought make for the country. Oh, I’m certain the UN will not have undue influence... Right.
BTW, whenever I read or hear new-age double-speak, such as “private - public” working groups, major alarm bells go off ... as in FASCISM.
Oh, I followed quite well. Now, the article...not so much. But I think I've got a 20/20 grasp on the thread.
You are publicizing a message the leftists want to share; why do their bidding?
http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Alan_Keyes_Foreign_Policy.htm
Alan Keyes
Against paying UN until they reform
Q: Do you think our reasons for withholding payment from the UN are valid?
A: I do think they’re valid. To try to get the United Nations to reform its wasteful practices, reform its opposition to the free enterprise approaches that could actually help countries around the world to develop, we withheld those dollars. And I’d continue to withhold them today because the organization has not responded, it has not reformed. And I think it until it does, we ought to stand firm in our position.
Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College Oct 29, 1999
Fostered policy of withholding UN funds; UN wastes US taxes
“I’ll take the blame for [withholding UN funding], because I was one of those people in the Reagan administration who helped foster that policy. We withheld our contributions because it is an organization that takes our money, tosses it down the rathole of UN waste, and puts our money into the pockets of the rich people in developing countries. [Paying the UN gives US taxes] to international bureaucrats who are basically interested in doing nothing but maintaining their own comfort and security.” - Alan Keyes, Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College Oct 29, 1999
Thanks so much for helping to highlight the huge difference between Alan Keyes and Romney’s friends and close associates.
Fred Thompson’s donors were tied to a firm accused of overcharging Medicaid.
Fred Thompson accepted at least $13,800 from a Tennessee family that oversaw a pharmaceutical company accused of ripping off federal and state governments.
Vin Weber was a Reaganite conservative Republican Congressman representing Minnesota from 1980 - 1992.
“private - public” working groups are ‘fascism’? Wow. That’s lame.
Flipper..flipper
faster than lightning.
Better watch out..he might flip on you too.
Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is a 14th-term member of Congress, representing California’s 52nd congressional district. Rep. Hunter’s ethics issues stem from his connection to now former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham and now indicted defense contractor Brent Wilkes. In addition, Rep. Hunter purchased his home in a questionable land deal, escaped paying full property taxes for many years, and gave conflicting reports of the property’s true value. Rep. Hunter also used the power of his office to financially benefit his brother and his presidential campaign has violated federal election law.
Relationship With Randy “Duke” Cunningham
After the conviction of close friend and political ally, Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham in 2005, Rep. Hunter agreed to launch an internal investigation into earmarks sponsored by the convicted lawmaker, but nearly five months after the U.S. Attorney pursuing the bribery case requested documents, Rep. Hunter’s committee had still not released the records. The FBI is investigating Rep. Hunter’s connections to Rep. Cunningham as well as other actors in the scandal.
Well, that took me all of two seconds.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is a 14th-term member of Congress, representing California’s 52nd congressional district. Rep. Hunter’s ethics issues stem from his connection to now former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham and now indicted defense contractor Brent Wilkes. In addition, Rep. Hunter purchased his home in a questionable land deal, escaped paying full property taxes for many years, and gave conflicting reports of the property’s true value. Rep. Hunter also used the power of his office to financially benefit his brother and his presidential campaign has violated federal election law.
Relationship With Randy “Duke” Cunningham
After the conviction of close friend and political ally, Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham in 2005, Rep. Hunter agreed to launch an internal investigation into earmarks sponsored by the convicted lawmaker, but nearly five months after the U.S. Attorney pursuing the bribery case requested documents, Rep. Hunter’s committee had still not released the records. The FBI is investigating Rep. Hunter’s connections to Rep. Cunningham as well as other actors in the scandal.
Trading Earmarks for Campaign Contributions
Rep. Hunter has been connected to Brent Wilkes, a co-conspirator in the Cunningham scandal. As of July 18, 2007, Mr. Wilkes faced 30 counts in two separate indictments, including charges that he bribed Rep. Cunningham with $600,000 in gifts and cash in exchange for more than $80 million in defense contracts. Central to the criminal investigation were earmarks for companies associated with Brent Wilkes: Audre, Inc. and ADCS. Rep. Hunter, a “prominent backer” of these systems, teamed with Rep. Cunningham and other lawmakers to allocate $190 million for automated data conversion projects from 1993 to 2001-- programs the Defense Department neither wanted nor requested. Rep. Hunter also sought out tens of millions of dollars in earmarks for Audre and ADCS, and pushed the Pentagon to purchase their products. In return, Mr. Wilkes steered at least $39,200 in campaign contributions to Rep. Hunter.
Similarly, Rep. Hunter has backed legislation for clients of lobbyist Letitia White (who formerly worked for Rep. Jerry Lewis on the Appropriations Committee), for L-3 Titan, Boeing and DuPont Aerospace, all in apparent exchange for campaign contributions.
If, as it appears, Rep. Hunter accepted donations to his campaign and political action committees in direct exchange for earmarking federal funds, he may have violated the bribery statute and committed honest services fraud.
Now, I don't take these accusations all that seriously. It's just funny how if you wanna smear someone, it's pretty easy.
Though he was not convicted of anything, McCain intervened on behalf of Charles Keating after Keating gave McCain at least $112,00 in contributions. In the mid-1980s, McCain made at least 9 trips on Keating’s airplanes, and 3 of those were to Keating’s luxurious retreat in the Bahamas. McCain’s wife and father-in-law also were the largest investors (at $350,000) in a Keating shopping center; the Phoenix New Times called it a “sweetheart deal.”
Mafia ties:
In 1995, McCain sent birthday regards, and regrets for not attending, to Joseph “Joe Bananas” Bonano, the head of the New York Bonano crime family, who had retired to Arizona. Another politician to send regrets was Governor Fife Symington, who has since been kicked out of office and convicted of 7 felonies relating to fraud and extortion.
Romney became prolife. Is that so wrong?
Are you a proabort who is offended by that, like the proabort protesters that you show pics of?
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