Cronyism in the Obama White House
The Washington Times says Obama hasn't ended presidential perks for party donors
Top Democratic donors received VIP access to the White House during President Obama's first six months in office, according to a Washington Times investigation. Some particularly prolific financial backers have received ambassadorships. Do Obama's supporters get special perks, or does every White House do this? (Watch Robert Gibbs defend Democratic perks at a press briefing)
Every White House does this: "The White House has always been for sale to the highest bidders," says Earl Ofari Hutchinson in American Chronicle. Everyone knows President Obama's predecessor "nakedly waved the White House for sale sign to corporate cronies." It's distasteful, but the reality is that "politics is a hard, dirty, cash soaked game, and those with the most cash will always have the president´s ear, no matter the president."
"Obama´s White House is for sale just like all the others"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is "influence peddling": Sure, Clinton did it, and Bush did it, says Michelle Malkin in RealClearPolitics. But during the campaign Obama called rewarding donors with "lavish receptions, golf outings, bowling dates, and movie nights" at the White House what it really is -- influence peddling. Just goes to show, "it's business as usual in the era of Hope and Change."
"The Obama White House: Bundlers' paradise"
All presidents promise to end donor perks: "It's a requirement that any candidate for the presidency vow to banish the wicked special interests in Washington, D.C.," says Jacob Heilbrunn in The Huffington Post. And it's a ritual for the media to pounce and show that the new president "is slipping into nefarious old Washington practices." Now poor White House press secretary Robert Gibbs has to offer "contorted defenses," instead of just telling the truth: "handing out a few perks to donors is really no big deal."
"In defense of Obama's bowling for dollars"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Pros and cons of oat milk
Pros and cons Oat has emerged as the king of Britain's plant-based milks, but how does it stack up against the alternatives?
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
What happens if TikTok is banned?
Today's Big Question Many are fearful that TikTok's demise could decimate the content creator community
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The unparalleled leader of the gentle parenting movement
In the Spotlight Dr. Becky became the face of a revolution in how we treat our children
By David Faris Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published