Car salesman pays $32K to lobby Obama for 2 minutes

[Cincinnatus]

I recognize this is not a "scandal" in the usual meaning of the word, but it really ought be given its implications and what it says about the high dollar fundraisers Obama is so fond of.

A Los Angeles car salesman and electric car advocate is shelling $32,400 out of his retirement savings so he can make a pitch directly to President Obama at a "private, off-the-record" Democratic fundraiser next week...

The fundraiser who sent the email could not be immediately be reached for comment. A copy was provided to USA TODAY, and it includes a menu of choices with prices when it comes to seeing the Obama in person at the June 7 fundraiser in Santa Monica, Calif.

For $10,000, you can be luncheon guest. For $16,200, you can be a VIP luncheon guest and have your picture taken with Obama. For $32,400 , the package "includes an official photograph with President Obama, as well as a very special one-hour roundtable discussion with the President after the luncheon. President Obama will take your questions in a private, off-the-record conversation where you can discuss with him what you'd like. Please note this is limited to 25 people to keep it an intimate discussion, and so will sell out very fast."

This guy's particular issue, or so he claims, is to encourage Obama to promote electric cars more vigorously. Ok, he's a nobody who can be easily ignored after he pays his dime and makes his pitch. But what other "private, off-the-record conversation(s)" has the most transparent President in our nation's history had with other well healed contributors who have given him oodles of dough? Somehow I don't think all those contributors did so just to promote electric cars or some such (unless they are actually in the electric car business, of course).

Folks, this really, really stinks.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/06/01/barack-obama-lobby-electric-cars/2378091/

[Cincinnatus]

Curse you right wing extremists.

It turns out that Paul Scott will not be meeting President Obama after all. The passionate electric car advocate (and co-founder of Plug In America) puts his money where his mouth is by selling Nissan Leafs in Los Angeles. He had sent in $32,400 — a good chunk of his relatively modest savings — for a chance to briefly meet President Obama at a forthcoming fundraiser and talk about climate change and his personal story — 10 years driving an electric car fueled by solar power. But on Monday in an email, Scott was disinvited by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The committee's message thanked Scott for his passionate advocacy, but said the media attention had become a distraction.

“The story got spun by the right into a ‘pay-for-play’ narrative, and I became a liability,” said Scott

Imagine that. The story got spun as "pay for play". Who woulda ever thunk it?

The NYT blogger who wrote this follow up did have a good idea, except it would mean no money for Obama so why bother?

Personally, I think Obama should talk to Scott anyway, with no money changing hands. That would be a really remarkable gesture. Scott's no fat cat. As he puts it, he'd have been the only guy at that event who does his own laundry. His point of view might be refreshing for the president.

http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/blogs/exclusive-obama-pulls-plug-on-32000-meeting-with-electric-car
 

[Oceander]

Is the DNC going to refund this chump's change?