"URGENT -- One More Philadelphia Event" read the subject line on Tuesday's blast email from Comcast executive and Democratic bigwig David L. Cohen to the party's fundraising faithful.
"Just when you thought it was safe to open emails from me...I have one more request," Cohen wrote. He needs more money, as host of a fundraiser next Wednesday evening to help Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York -- President-elect Obama's choice to be Secretary of State -- retire the mountain of debt left from her failed presidential campaign.
Speed is essential. Mrs. Clinton cannot raise political money once she is confirmed as Secretary of State, and it probably would be unseemly as well during the official confirmation process. In papers filed last week with the federal election commission, she formally surrendered any hope of recovering the $13 million she loaned the campaign from her and former President Bill's personal accounts. But that leaves at least $6.4 million owed to campaign vendors including pollster and strategist Mark Penn, who's work proved so ....uh, brilliant....on her behalf.
Wednesday's event will be held at the home of David Cohen and wife Rhonda, and it will feature Vice President-elect Joseph Biden of Delaware, Gov. Rendell and Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D., Pa.) -- and of course Herself . Tickets are $1,000 minimum up to $2,300 (the federal contribution limit) per person. Anybody who raises $10,000 gets a private reception with the stars.
The same Rendell-heavy crowd is hosting a similar event Jan. 8 at a private home in McLean, Va. Organizers hope the two fundraisers net $500,000 for HRC debt relief.
Click here for Philly.com's politics page.
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Thanks, but I think I'll pass. Doesn't the concept of getting a bunch of rich people together to pay Hillary Clinton's overdue bills seem a bit odd when there are some (slightly) more important deserving causes right now? Actually, on second thought I'll contribute $1, but only if Hillary agrees not to serve as secretary of state.— Bud Fox- "...$13 million she loaned the campaign" ??? She loaned her campaign which benefited... HER! Why didn't I think of this? I'll loan my credit card some money from savings account. Utterly stoopid.— Sully
- Let me get this straight: Miss Clinton, who wanted to be president and promised she could handle the financial crisis with great finesse, used more money than her campaign had in their budget? The one lesson this country has learned is don't spend money you don't have. And yet a multi-millionaire asks for money she didn't have? And she has the gall to say she would have been a great president? Actions not words are what we all are judged on....— truth21
- Let's have a fundraiser to keep essential city services open. You know, Fire Companies? Oh, I forgot, we'll just let the firefighters throw books at the victims instead of water.— Genghis
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- Anyway, I have no problem with people who want to donate their money to this cause. If they can afford it, it is up to the. They should not be bound to spend their money on what others think important.— johnpolomano
- Old Mother Hubbard Hilary Clinton was spending frivolously from her campaign chest, which subsequently was bare, until the plug was pulled on a dying campaign. It was painfully clear that she was not going to win, yet she still continued to spend money she did not have available to her. Why is she being placed in charge of anything regarding this countries future, especially foreign policy? She can not even be trusted to balance her own check book. This woman is like a broken record. It is not my fault, but elect me to be: Senator, President. Why? Why would anyone in good conscience help bailout a person who continues to USE their political influence to pressure people for their own gains; i.e. the Whitewater scandal, Travelgate, overspent campaign chest. Why not try correcting the local problems like the city’s debt problem? I guess we just can not stop kicking the dead horse or betting on the looser.— bjmn4321
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- Gee for only $2300 I can sit in a room with Joe Biden? Oh Joy! Where do I sign up? Actually I think you'd have to PAY ME to be in the same room with that BLOWHARD.
- It doesn't hurt to ask. Somebody'll be stupid enough to pay Clinton's debt. She will be laughing all the way to the bank.— david wayne
- Nice to see that the CDS-ers still can't pass up an opportunity to slam Mrs. Clinton, even after she graciously conceded to Mr. Obama and then campaigned extensively for the President-elect.— mkevinf
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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