http://twitter.com/FixAaron/statuses/277123018986254337
Four years ago, President Obama capped donations for his inauguration at $50,000. But these days, it seems that’s just not gonna cut it:
Obama accepting corporate donations for his inauguration is okay, because the decision is "driven by pragmatism": http://t.co/UjVCzFBj
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) December 7, 2012
It’s true!
Sources say the new decision is driven by pragmatism: The president and his team just wrapped up the most expensive campaign in history — with costs topping $1 billion — and they’ve determined that their donors are simply tapped out.
…
The inaugural fundraising team will be screening each corporate donation. Those determined to pose a conflict of interest will be returned. For example, any company that still owes stimulus money or is vying for a big federal contact may be excluded.
We’re sure the donors will be screened very, very carefully.
Politico’s Donovan Slack also notes that “this isn’t the president’s first reversal from a previous stance on contributions. After nearly two years of blasting super PACs for their involvement in politics, as the election ramped up in February he announced he wouldn’t mind his supporters writing multimillion-dollar checks to the groups.”
Hmmm … funny, that. Conservatives were quick to notice this latest example of Obama’s intellectual inconsistency when it comes to money in politics:
LOL Obama's first inauguration he wouldn't accept corporate donations, now he said there isn't a limit. #liberallogic #screwedeconomy
— Bianca Puccinelli (@bpooch13) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/s_thorn/status/277099736106930176
https://twitter.com/RayHarrellMU/status/277100227159265280
https://twitter.com/MatthewHolmes4/status/277099054834536448
He’s not a hypocrite; he’s evolving!
Change. RT @charliespiering: Politico: "President Barack Obama will accept unlimited corporate donations for his inauguration in January"
— jon gabriel (@exjon) December 7, 2012
That’s right. It’s all about change.
Not a protection racket. Nope. MT @politico Breaking: Obama will accept unlimited corporate donations for his inauguration in January
— Kerfuffle Actual ??? (@shoshido) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/MorganChase22/status/277098046398025728
https://twitter.com/MBACampaigns/status/277097749827158016
https://twitter.com/janeariel2/status/277139214926245888
https://twitter.com/JackieNeal1028/status/277098974069022720
Evil corporations!! RT @politico: Breaking: Obama will accept unlimited corporate donations for his inauguration in January
— Liberty Czarina (@LibertyCzarina) December 7, 2012
All that mean, evil corporate money… RT @FixAaron: Obama's inaugural committee will lift ban on corporate contributions.
— Kemberlee Kaye (@KemberleeKaye) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/stevenbadger/status/277109528678506496
Of course. RT @FixAaron: Obama's inaugural committee will lift ban on corporate contributions.
— Kathleen McKinley (@KatMcKinley) December 7, 2012
I guess Obama feels that limits on unlimited corporate money in politics are like limits on using drones: good for the other guy.
— Micah Sifry (@Mlsif) December 7, 2012
"I will have more flexibility after my re-election." RT @MerrillMatthews: Obama will accept unlimited corporate $$ for his inauguration.
— Tom Giovanetti (@tgiovanetti) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/StephenPytlik/status/277096980604395520
Don’t bet on it. But, to be fair, some lefties are disappointed with the president’s apparent moral about-face:
Labor's ground game ensured a 2nd term. Shame on you. Obama inaugural to accept corporate donations http://t.co/T2ca9zIp via @washingtonpost
— Alan Hanson (@TallUnionGuy) December 7, 2012
Very disappointing. @BarackObama to take corporate cash for inauguration via @POLITICO for iPhone #fail http://t.co/KLpaxNOn
— Kerry Wyler (@kerrywyler) December 7, 2012
https://twitter.com/NicoleSomegirl/status/277100852337074176
GW Bush's second inauguration had a self-imposed cap of $250,000 for corporate donations. Obama's will accept unlimited donations. #fail
— George Zornick (@gzornick) December 7, 2012
Thank you, President Obama, for inaugurating more corporate-sponsored cynicism for your 2nd term! #ugh
— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) December 7, 2012
*Sniff*
Meanwhile, this conservative has found a silver lining in Obama’s reversal:
Following Obama's lead, I am also now willing to accept unlimited corporate contributions.
— Tom Giovanetti (@tgiovanetti) December 7, 2012
Heh.
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