DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, pictured above, and other party officials met on Wednesday evening with approximately 50 people, including "high-profile lobbyists," to discuss the "menu of reward offerings."
"We're Baaack...": DNC Reverses Ban on Corporate Cash to Fund Convention
The Democratic National Committee is luring corporate lobbyists with VIP rewards
Reversing a previous position that sought to limit corporate influence in politics, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is sweetening the pot for lobbyists and political action committees (PACs) that donate toward next year's nominating convention in Philadelphia.
According to documents seen by The Hill, those who give donations and bundled cash could see returns ranging from "preferred booking in a premiere hotel" to a photo-op at the official convention podium to VIP access to "the official Host Committee celebration, featuring celebrities and other luminaries, live music, and catering by Philadelphia's most recognized chefs."
The Hill reports that DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) and other party officials met on Wednesday evening with approximately 50 people, including "high-profile lobbyists," to discuss the "menu of reward offerings."
People present at the meeting reported spotting representatives from firms that lobby for the energy, banking, and insurance industries. Critics were quick to lambaste this latest evidence of cozy ties between the Democratic Party and K Street.
\u201cWill have to remember this when they're bashing #lobbyists... https://t.co/qY8Yp0abuC\u201d— Tommy Goodwin (@Tommy Goodwin) 1445610510
\u201cDNC's message to lobbyists for the first post-Obama convention:\n\n"We\u2019re back, we\u2019re here, we want your help"\n\nhttps://t.co/qvcUOObPu3\u201d— Robert Faturechi (@Robert Faturechi) 1445609918
The Committee announced this summer that it would lift the ban on donations from PACs and lobbyists for it convention fundraising but would "continue its policy of not accepting donations from political action committees and lobbyists for its general fundraising operations"--at least for now.
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, The U.S. is on a fast track to authoritarianism like nothing I've ever seen. Meanwhile, corporate news outlets are utterly capitulating to Trump, twisting their coverage to avoid drawing his ire while lining up to stuff cash in his pockets. That's why I believe that Common Dreams is doing the best and most consequential reporting that we've ever done. Our small but mighty team is a progressive reporting powerhouse, covering the news every day that the corporate media never will. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. And to ignite change for the common good. Now here's the key piece that I want all our readers to understand: None of this would be possible without your financial support. That's not just some fundraising cliche. It's the absolute and literal truth. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. The final deadline for our crucial Summer Campaign fundraising drive is just days away, and we’re falling short of our must-hit goal. Will you donate now to help power the nonprofit, independent reporting of Common Dreams? Thank you for being a vital member of our community. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive when it’s needed most. - Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Reversing a previous position that sought to limit corporate influence in politics, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is sweetening the pot for lobbyists and political action committees (PACs) that donate toward next year's nominating convention in Philadelphia.
According to documents seen by The Hill, those who give donations and bundled cash could see returns ranging from "preferred booking in a premiere hotel" to a photo-op at the official convention podium to VIP access to "the official Host Committee celebration, featuring celebrities and other luminaries, live music, and catering by Philadelphia's most recognized chefs."
The Hill reports that DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) and other party officials met on Wednesday evening with approximately 50 people, including "high-profile lobbyists," to discuss the "menu of reward offerings."
People present at the meeting reported spotting representatives from firms that lobby for the energy, banking, and insurance industries. Critics were quick to lambaste this latest evidence of cozy ties between the Democratic Party and K Street.
\u201cWill have to remember this when they're bashing #lobbyists... https://t.co/qY8Yp0abuC\u201d— Tommy Goodwin (@Tommy Goodwin) 1445610510
\u201cDNC's message to lobbyists for the first post-Obama convention:\n\n"We\u2019re back, we\u2019re here, we want your help"\n\nhttps://t.co/qvcUOObPu3\u201d— Robert Faturechi (@Robert Faturechi) 1445609918
The Committee announced this summer that it would lift the ban on donations from PACs and lobbyists for it convention fundraising but would "continue its policy of not accepting donations from political action committees and lobbyists for its general fundraising operations"--at least for now.
Reversing a previous position that sought to limit corporate influence in politics, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is sweetening the pot for lobbyists and political action committees (PACs) that donate toward next year's nominating convention in Philadelphia.
According to documents seen by The Hill, those who give donations and bundled cash could see returns ranging from "preferred booking in a premiere hotel" to a photo-op at the official convention podium to VIP access to "the official Host Committee celebration, featuring celebrities and other luminaries, live music, and catering by Philadelphia's most recognized chefs."
The Hill reports that DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) and other party officials met on Wednesday evening with approximately 50 people, including "high-profile lobbyists," to discuss the "menu of reward offerings."
People present at the meeting reported spotting representatives from firms that lobby for the energy, banking, and insurance industries. Critics were quick to lambaste this latest evidence of cozy ties between the Democratic Party and K Street.
\u201cWill have to remember this when they're bashing #lobbyists... https://t.co/qY8Yp0abuC\u201d— Tommy Goodwin (@Tommy Goodwin) 1445610510
\u201cDNC's message to lobbyists for the first post-Obama convention:\n\n"We\u2019re back, we\u2019re here, we want your help"\n\nhttps://t.co/qvcUOObPu3\u201d— Robert Faturechi (@Robert Faturechi) 1445609918
The Committee announced this summer that it would lift the ban on donations from PACs and lobbyists for it convention fundraising but would "continue its policy of not accepting donations from political action committees and lobbyists for its general fundraising operations"--at least for now.