Crooked Politicians

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

(Full disclosure - I had to look this one up)

People who contributed large amounts to the DNC were ‘perked’ by overnight stays in the White House, frequently (but not always) in the Lincoln Bedroom. Others perks included coffees, jogging with the the President, and so on.

Since staying in the LB was not conditional on making contributions, the practice was determined to be ‘unseemly, but not illegal or unethical.’  It was more as case of, ‘Thanks for the money. How would you like to spend the night in the Lincoln Bedroom?’ than ‘If you contribute, we’ll let you stay in the Lincoln Bedroom.’  HUGE difference.

Furthermore, since the Clintons never profited personally from this, the pejorative ‘profiteering’ hardly seems to apply. You started this about presidents enriching themselves while in office. That’s not the case here.

Boru

I guess you'll just always be a "it depends on what your definition of "is" is" kinda guy...


....

Just because they didn't slip Slick Willie some cash - doesn't mean he didn't benefit.

Party loyalty and all that....98

Of course he benefited, but he would have benefited exactly the same if none of the donors to the DNC had ever gotten within 10 miles of the LB. It wasn’t a money-making scheme, it was a thank you with amazingly bad optics.

But your entire argument above is predicated on the personal wealth of presidents.  Since the LB situation put no money in Clinton’s pocket, it doesn’t apply.

Boru