Max Cleland was disinvited to Obama’s recent Atlanta event:
Former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland was an icon of Sen. John Kerry’s 2004 campaign, a badly wounded war hero who lost his seat, Kerry deplored, after a television advertising campaign questioned his commitment to national security.
But to the Obama campaign, Cleland has another qualification: Registered lobbyist.
So Cleland — despite his iconic status — was abruptly disinvited from appearing with Obama in Atlanta July 8, three sources familiar with the incident said.
“This was a hard decision regarding Senator Cleland,” said Obama’s deputy campaign manager, Steve Hildebrand, in an email. He cited Obama’s policy of banning lobbyists from participating in fundraising or giving money.
“If we make exceptions, we will open ourselves to criticism,” he said.
Cleland has told associates he was asked to appear at an Obama fundraising event in Atlanta on July 8, only to be told at the last minute that he wouldn’t be welcome.
8 responses so far ↓
MidtownTraffic // Jul 18, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I think a few exceptions can be made.
Republicans and the press would not have gone near that one.
atlantaman // Jul 18, 2008 at 5:12 pm
So it’s okay to accept a check from say the Chairman of the Board of Citibank, but not their lobbyist.
It’s okay to take money from a gathering of 50 trial lawyers, but don’t allow the association lobbyist to be present.
Etc.., etc..
A very stupid and illogical rule that appeals to morons.
He taking it to such absurdity that he’s now uninviting war heros to campaign rallies.
Icarus // Jul 18, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Form over substance,
Quotas over quality,
Everyone fits into a “box” when viewed with Democrat eyes. They are not the qualities that make up the individual, but the checkoffs of a profile.
Obama and his party are more interested in things like making sure the balloons at the convention are bio-degradable and that the delegates caps are made of organic material with union labor than they are of not jerking around one of their own war heroes.
ACConservative // Jul 18, 2008 at 9:06 pm
They’re also trying to make sure that no one wearing burkas or turbans are standing within camera sight of Obama… you forgot that one Icarus.
Icarus // Jul 18, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Sorry, happy hour was calling. I’ll do better next time.
RuralDem // Jul 19, 2008 at 12:19 am
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Blah. Oh well, I’m ready for 2012.
:/
Terran1212 // Jul 19, 2008 at 1:12 am
Cue RuralDem to remind us that Neal Boortz Democrats like him will be much offended by the decision, and that Obama will lose the election because he actually stood by some sort of principle-thing.
What a laugh.
RuralDem // Jul 19, 2008 at 3:16 am
What in the heck is a Neal Boortz Democrat? Anyway, I’m in no way a Libertarian, so if you’re insinuating that then well, you’ve never read any of my posts
If you think I’m basing my views on Obama by only this, then, THAT deserves a laugh.
I never said he’d lose the election, I’m simply waiting for the year when we nominate a decent candidate. It didn’t happen this year, so maybe in 2012 we’ll get Mark Warner or someone credible.
The only thing remotely exciting about Obama is Sam Nunn being a possible VP nominee. It’s likely he’ll choose someone else since Nunn is too conservative for the liberal wing, though he’s likely in tune with the country as a whole.
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