Al Sharpton and the bribery case.

[The Backlash Cometh]

Whatever you think about Al Sharpton, put that aside, because my questions are:

(1) What's up with the hedge funds? Back in 2003 someone was willing to bribe someone to get IN on the hedge funds? What did they know in 2003, that we're only beginning to find out about now?

(2) Is there any validity to Sharpton's argument that bribery laws (tying business deals to fund raising) don't apply to him because he wasn't a public figure? Or is that a lame excuse?



More:
With a hidden FBI camera rolling inside a New York hotel suite in 2003, an unsuspecting Rev. Al Sharpton, Democratic candidate for president, spoke candidly.

Sharpton offered to help Philadelphia fund-raiser Ronald A. White win a multimillion-dollar business deal, if White helped him raise $50,000 for politics.

White offered $25,000. "If you bring my guys up on this hedge fund, and I have the right conversation," White said, "I'll give you what you need."

"Cool," Sharpton said.

The Inquirer obtained an account of the May 9, 2003, conversation, which was recorded as part of the Philadelphia City Hall corruption case. The tape helped spark a separate inquiry into Sharpton's 2004 campaign and his civil-rights organization, the National Action Network. The FBI-IRS probe resurfaced publicly Wednesday, when Sharpton aides received subpoenas.

In an interview yesterday, Sharpton said there is "absolutely nothing illegal" about tying business deals to fund-raising because he is not a public official.

"The tapes vindicate me," Sharpton said. "They show that I did not talk about bribing a public official or paying money under the table."

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/12529201.html

[nightrider767]

1. It's not just Al

I'm no fan of Al's, but in all fairness, I'd guess most politicians work this way.

Influence peddling.

Disgusting.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Which is EXACTLY what we need to focus on because this is how

hat line between government and private business is getting blurred. And why we have so many corporatists in the Democratic party. That's how the business as usual behavior begins.

[flashl]

3. Recent campaign reports

current candidates MUST collect five $2,300 campaign contributions "every single hour, every single day".

Are we suppose to believe that these campaigns are running from patriotic John and Jane Q. Public's donations of $2,300 every hour, every day?

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Of course not. Which is why we need to make an issue of these things

when they come to light. Sometimes you need to bring out the truth behind those backroom meetings, because I don't think the average American can morally approve of it, once word gets out in the streets.

[PCIntern]

5. As a Philadelphian...

the BIG STORY here is that right after all this crap hit the fan, possibly implicating our Mayor John Street a couple years ago....Mr. White died REAL FAST from pancreatic cancer.

I mean...faster than you can say: "Jack Ruby".

I'm just sayin'...