ddeubel

Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject: Kerry and Sam Fox conversation about 527 groups |
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I found this exchange between Sam Fox who gave 50,000 dollars to a group which admittedlyhad the sole agenda to discredit Kerry's military service and Kerry fascinating....
I see things in this exchange which starkly paint what is rotten in American politics.....here is part but the ending is great and really shows the dignity of Kerry, atleast in this situation.
http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/2007/02/kerry-versus-swift-boat-benefactor.html
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But notwithstanding the comments you made, you did see fit to contribute a very significant amount of money in October to a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, correct?
Fox: Correct.
Kerry: Why would you do that given what you just said about how bad they are?
Fox: Well, Senator, I have to put it in the proper context and bear with me. Marilyn and I have lived the American dream -- there's no question about it. My father came here with the clothes on his back and the Fox family and the Woodman family have truly lived the American dream that's been very, very good to us.
I heard someone mention here that we gave to 250 charities. I also went back and had my staff count in '05 and '06, we've made more than 1,000 contributions. More than 100 of those were political, 900 and some odd were charitable and to institutions of learning and so forth. A great deal of those had to do with basic human needs. I think it was Senator Danforth who mentioned every time he got a letter that had Harbour Group on it, he shuddered because it was going to cost him money. Marilyn and I both raise a lot of money from a lot of people.
The point I'm making is this: We ask a lot of people for money and people ask us for money. And very fortunately, we've been blessed with being successful financially and when we're asked, we generally give -- particularly if we know who gave it.
Kerry: So, well, who asked you to give to the SBVT?
Fox: I can't tell you specifically who did because, you know, I don�t remember. As a matter of fact, if I�
Kerry: You have no recollection of why you gave away $50,000?
Fox: I gave away $50,000 because I was asked to.
Kerry: But you have no recollection of who asked you to give away $50,000?
Fox: No, sir. I've given away sums much larger than that to a lot of other places and I can't tell you specifically who asked me, no.
Kerry: Well, you don�t think that's it's important as a citizen, who doesn�t like 527s to know where your money is going and how it�s going to be spent?
Fox: Well, I think with most contributors and if you go to the other side of the political campaigns and we give to individual candidates, we don�t know how they�re going to use that money and what�
Kerry: Well at least it's accountable to an individual candidate for whom people have to vote or not vote. 527s as you said are mean, ugly and not accountable.
Fox: I agree with that. I absolutely agree with that.
Kerry: Why would you give $50,000 to a group you have no sense of accountability for?
Fox: Well, because if 527s were banned, then it's banned for both parties. And so long as they�re not banned�
Kerry: So two wrongs make a right?
Fox: Well, I don�t know, but if one side is contributing then the other side� |
DD |
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