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Subscribe to RSSThe Democratic Party's decision to move President Obama's acceptance speech to the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte has surprised some party activists -- and stirred criticism -- over the use of a venue named for a company that has been at the center of the financial crisis.
"God almighty, I can't believe it." said one top Democratic fundraiser when he learned of the decision to move the speech to Bank of America stadium, where the NFL Carolina Panthers play their football games. "This is an amateur’s mistake."
Convention officials vigorously defended the decision today, saying the use of the open-air 74,000 seat stadium would help excite supporters and enable far more people to see the speech, "That allows for greater participation by Americans from all walks of life," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.
But party officials privately confirmed that the move can help with fundraising despite what one called "an obvious optics" problem. And the use of a stadium -- whose naming rights belong to a bank that has been engulfed in controversies over foreclosures, bank fees and bailouts -- was denounced by some watchdog groups.
"It's a surprising and disappointing choice," said Mary Boyle, vice president of Common Cause. "Bank of America is the poster child for corporate greed and corporations out-of-control. The president would be better served by choosing a large public space with no corporate logo attached to it."
Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a group that lobbies against corporate influence, added: "Speaking at a stadium named for one of the financial firms that plunged our country into deep recession, we can only hope that Barack Obama will counter the optics by laying out a meaningful plan to control the Wall Street giants." .
"The president turned the economy around making sure that everyone, from Wall Street to Main Street, plays by the same rules," Kristie Greco, spokeswoman for the Democratic convention, emailed in response. "His record and his policies are not impacted by the name on the stadium."
Greco pointed out that the Democrats' licensing agreement that will allow use of the stadium is with the Carolina Panthers, which actually owns the stadium, not Bank of America itself. In an arrangement similar to those with many other professional sports teams, Bank of America acquired naming rights to the Panthers stadium in 2004 as part of a reported $140 million agreement over 20 years. (A Bank of America spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.)
But the choice will enable the Charlotte Host Committee -- which is charged with raising the $36 million needed to pay for the convention -- to offer access to the stadium's plush skyboxes as part of a package deal of perks it has put together to entice wealthy donors and fundraisers.
Suzi Emmerling, a spokeswoman for the host committee, confirmed a Bloomberg report that those deals -- presented to Washington lobbyists last month -- include an escalating menu of packages starting with the $1 million "presidential" level. Those who buy in will receive a "premier uptown hotel room," a "platinum events package and "concierge services." Another $500,000 "Gold Rush" level includes hotel room, credentials and a "premiere events package."
Democratic officials have emphasized for months that this year's convention won’t accept money from lobbyists and corporations. "This year, we are setting a new standard for how conventions are funded. No longer will it be sponsored with money from corporations, special interests, lobbyists and political action committees," the host committee states on its website.
But those seemingly strict rules appear to have some loopholes. While the convention committee itself won't accept cash donations from corporations, it is taking "in kind" contributions from corporations, such as food, beverages, and equipment -- costs that can often add up into the millions.
A separate convention "Hospitality" committee -- operating under the name New American City Foundation -- is also directly accepting corporate and lobbyists' money to pay for the parties and other events that are often attended en masse by delegates, members of Congress and reporters.
In addition, the host committee itself is still accepting big donations of up to $100,000 a piece. "Nobody gets to rent a skybox for a million dollars," said Emmerling.
Leave a Comment:
the liar obungles
and the bad guy BOA
with 74 thousand morons (maybe)
ALL IN THE SAME ARENA
I LOVE IT!!!
I think he should give his speeech from inside the shark tank at Marine World,That would be change we could hope and believe in.
Such a non issue. There are only so many large venues and most of them have a name on them. I think its great that more people will be able to be there.
The only acceptance speech 74,000 Democrats are going to show up to hear is Hilary Clinton's!
Wait a minute.......
Wow, I thought that some of these people couldn't be any more stupid but, I was wrong. Some of the comments on this page show how out of touch and misguided a lot of you are. Sad. He is the most empathetic President I have ever seen. You guys just make yourselves appear really evil.
Obama is a man who cares about poor people , I'll give you that.
Problem is, he doesn't know the first thing about getting this economy moving. His grand ideas about "spreading the wealth" is based on Socialism where the govt takes wealth from one group to give it to another.
Obama's agenda should be promoting JOBS JOBS JOBS.
When a person works, they not only have their OWN money, but they have their dignity too.
This country is the only place on earth that allows people to start out poor and end up well off.
Look at Oprah. Where would she be if she bought into "generational welfare"?
Besides, the country is broke.
Diver, how are people stupid if they believe that this President is incompetent and the same type of politician that he said he was not? Are you really that blind an gullibe to believe that he is any less bought and paid for than other president?
Diver - you come across as being a complete wuss. Man up would you.
Corporations are people too. They are auditioning their candidates and competing in the open market to decide which will be the first to obtain naming rights to other "public" venues. I can imagine Capital Hill becoming "Capital Bank Hill", the white house will surely one day be names "Goldman Sachs House". This is good for America, and probably the only way ordinary citizens will begin to see who is actually in charge of things.
The OWS protesters threw a smoke bomb at the White House.
Finally , they are protesting where it matters.
I wonder if they'll protest the Obama convention.
After all , we know that Obama got 3/4 of all Wall Street donations in 08.
Come on Dems... BOA won't be involved and 74,000 Americans will have a chance to witness our President once again accept the nomination for a second term.
Our country is healing, and we’re heading upward from the very deep and very wide hole the Bush Administration dug for us... it's been a slow recovery, and we're not quite there yet, but we're heading in the right direction!
Obama is working for the middle class, he's on the side of hard working Americans and those less fortunate... we need a second Obama term to ensure our country is on solid footing. We need the Affordable Health Care Law which will enable every American an opportunity to acquire affordable health care... by the way which should be a right not a privilege; we need a large infrastructure plan which will put millions back to work; we need fair tax policy, tax breaks for folks making less than $250,000 and slightly higher taxes for those making a million+; and, we need to preserve Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, however some adjustments should be made, i.e. means testing and gradually increasing the eligibility age.
Obama stands for the above and with Dems’ out there campaigning and voting we can take back the house and increase our numbers in the Senate... then we'll see real change in this country.
On the other hand... if the GOP take over the white house be prepared to see the Affordable Health Care law be repealed, and we'll be once again at the mercy of big insurance companies; be prepared to watch Medicare and Social Security privatized; and, be prepared to see the tax rate for our dwindling middle class increase while the tax rate for the top two percent decrease...
Under a GOP led administration the middle class and our seniors will lose our safety net, we'll have higher taxes and we'll be reduced to accepting minimum wage jobs... and the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer!
THINK TWICE BEFOR YOU PLACE YOU VOTE...
DEMS get out there and campaign for President Obama!
Obama/Biden are for the 99% -- The GOP are for the 1%
Donna
Donna...you say that Bank of America will not profit? They get their name prominently displayed against the background of a sitting president giving a speech affecting our country. This gives legitimacy to that bank. It clears, or attempts to clear, a name that is hated, the name of a company whose stock is falling every day.
I don't see a country "healing", either. I see thousands of people living on the streets that once had homes and jobs. I do not see jobs being created. I see Barack Hussein Obama trying to tell Americans that they HAVE to have insurance, even though they don't have enough money to pay the mortgage, put gas in the car (IF they still have a car), or put food on the table.
I do see Barack Hussein Obama bailing out Bank of America...AIG...Goldman/Sacs. I see him taking $4 million vacations...in fact, SEVERAL vacations a year. I see his wife wearing $5000 dresses and $1000 skirts on those vacation.
Yes....I will think many times before I vote. Ultimately, it's going to be for the one person I think is least objectionable. Right now...it's Romney. The jury is still out.
I say this as a hard-core Democrat. If the Republican candidate is not Romney...I will probably throw my vote to a third-party candidate...or I may write- in a candidates name.
I will be hard-pressed to vote for Barack Hussein Obama.
Judging by your comments in your column, as well as your friends list, that is very difficult to believe. I voted Democrat for many years, but usually based on the candidate. I have not seen a Repulican that was not making me sick run since I was old enough to vote in 1980. And I have seen some real duds running as Dems during that time as well. When the Tea Party began, I hoped they were actually on to something, but....no go. I never was able to get an answer as to what their platform was, and in no time at all, it was clear what their 'Party' was all about. NO THANKS. Too much racism vs reason.
Mind you, I do think that President Obama is the best Republican running, but I cannot connect to your vote for Romney....
That is just way too strange unless you are very, very wealthy and follow his(Romney) investment portfolio with your own. I would be interested in knowing why, though. You seem very intelligent.
Thanks.
Peace
It's simple, notso....and it's not because I like Romney. I just hate Santorum and Gingrich...I hate the way they think and I hate what they stand for. Perry is another Texas Nut Case. I'm not crazy about Ron Paul, although we do agree on some points...basically, I think he's too old for the job, and would die within six months. Romney is the least objectionable person...although, to be frank, I think he would bring this country even further toward a theocracy.
I assure you I am NOT wealthy...I don't have a portfolio of any kind. I've worked very hard in my profession since I was fourteen years old. I've been a bit lucky, I admit. I have a little savings.newer
I love this country...and I hate waht ALL of these clowns are doing to it.
BTW...I LOVED your comment about Obama being the best Republican running. I agree with you totally!
I was wondering if we may be kindred spirits of a sort...just wondering what attracts you to Romney over Obama. You will not hurt my feelings, believe me!
;-)
I'm right there with you on the rest of Romney's co-idiots/charlatans, though!
Peace
I am as afraid he will do more than lead us into a deeper theocracy, I fear his disconnect with the reality of the non-wealthy will allow further Corporate influence without regard to workers' wages, compensation nor benefits, let alone retirement. just to start...
FR sent, Michael! You do seem a very reasonable person and I appreciate that.
Peace
Nice try guys. I can see the Democrat kool aid is flowing.
Too bad, no one is buying it.
Democrats platform = let us help make you dependent on the govt.
Republican platform = Let us help you get a JOB.
so true..Our president had campaigned on hope and change and has not delivered thus far.
it is not Obamas fault but the electorate that put an inexperienced person into the job.
the upcoming campaign between the parties will be a smear campaign and it will be ugly.
I will vote for the person that offers the best alternatives and choices to again put our country on the
right track.
Continuing to ignore that Congress, both Democrats and Tea Party/Republicans, filibustering/obstructing in regards to responsible bills, especially regarding jobs, passing. Here is a great look at the Reid/McConnell headbutting.
Senate Democrats forced to block Obama's jobs bill -
Not President Obama. No President has experience as President until he/she becomes one. Obama has four years experience over every opposing candidate, as well as a first hand exposure to just how it is to overcome hate as expressed for him at the expense of the Country moving forward quickly as expressed in action by the Right overall. While the Right has done what constructively and responsibly?
I do like how you have put it, ronaswyhod. Peace
I did most of MY ranting and raving about this yesterday.
Don't get me wrong...I STILL think it's as stupid an idea that I've heard.
But I don't think it's a "mistake". I think BofA got on the phone to Barack Hussein Obama, explained that they really needed help cleaning up their image, and would Obama hold his speech there...there will be a BIG donation to the campaign if this happens. Obama of course said yes.
As for the difference between $140 million for "naming rights" as opposed to "owning " it...not any difference at all.
OWS will be protesting at this Dem Convention, as they should, not from the convention center issue but from the donations to Obama from the Wall Street elite.
Obama and the big Banks are cozy and everyone knows it from the 08 election.
We didn't need any help from B of A to understand this.
Obama and the big Banks are cozy and everyone knows it from the 08 election.
True enough. We need to get the money out of politics entirely before we shall ever return to a growing Nation unencumbered by special interests. Won't happen this election, for sure.
They always support BOTH PARTIES. Win Win for the Big Banks, and Corporations in general. It is a wash as long as we stay playing The Game as it stands.
And so far, not one of these Republicans except Ron Paul has said anything in detail of what would change that. Yet the boisterous applause for hollow talk, avoidance of clear answers and lies, free of specifics, continues at the 'debates'.
Make your case if I am wrong.
Thanks
Ahhh Yes NOTSO, lets discuss debates, lies, and hypocrisy from the current admin.
The debates that led up to the 2008 nomination between Obama and Hillary. When Hillary mentions having an individual mandate, Obama nearly jumps up and down on stage. He even pokes fun at her saying "Hillary, trying to solve the healthcare problemby forcing everyone to buy healthcare is like trying to solve the housing problem by forcing everyone to buy a house, it just won't work." LOL!!! And what part of Obamacare will the Supreme Court rule unconstitutional? The individual mandate that Obama and the dems included!!! WOW. Pure hypocrisy.
Lets talk about lies. Lies like promising to close gitmo in his first year if elected president. NOPE. Not only is gitmo still open and fully functioning, he has allowed military tribunals to continue to be held there while also signing into legislation a few weeks ago a bill that will allow this to go on indefinitely. Yikes! LOL!! What a liar.
How about bringing all our troops home from Afghanistan? NOPE. Not only did he not do this, he implemented a 30,000 troop SURGE. So, he did the complete OPPOSITE of what he promised. Liar.
How about the promise to run the most transparent admin in history? NOPE. Not according to your own uber-lib Helen Thomas. You see, Thomas was a member of the White House Press Corps SINCE JFK, and she said NOT EVEN NIXON TRIED TO CONTROL THE PRESS LIKE OBAMA. Remember? Obama and his staff were calling reporters the night before and going over questions and answers, so that Obama and Robert Gibbs would be able to review and hash out the best answers in the next days' press conference, since they would ALREADY KNOW WHICH QUESTIONS THEY WERE GOING TO BE ASKED??? WOW. LOL. Such transparency! Thomas goes on to excoriate Obama and his staff, and there is a great youtube clip of the exchange between her and Gibbs. She uses phrases like "you people are amazing" and "we have never had this level of control and lack of openness in the white house." WOW. "NEVER HAD THIS LEVEL OF CONTROL." So much for that campaign promise. Liar.
The Doma? He promised to uphold the Doma as campaigner, but then goes on, as president, to tell the DOJ to no longer try and cases that have to do with the Doma. Liar.
Bringing us together. Remember he promised to do this? NOPE. He has succeeded in polarizing this country to levels we haven't seen in decades. This started with his divisive tactics with healthcare, by promising openness and inclusiveness, only to keep the repubs out of the debate, pass the bill on strictly party lines, and purchase votes in shady backroom deals with members of his own party who were still not on board: the Sestak 7, Louisiana Purchase, and the Cornhusker kickback. Yep, he bought votes from his own party. Thanks for the hope and change! Oh, and he used budget reconciliation to pass the bill, another very divisive tactic. Liar.
Defending labor rights. Promised during the campaign that if labor rights ever came into question he would "I'll put on a pair of comfortable shoes myself, and I'll walk that picket line with you as president of the United States." Soooo, despite efforts by repubs in Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, Maine, Florida, and Indiana, HE HAS NOT SET FOOT ON ONE PICKET LINE. HE HAS NOT SHOWN UP FOR ONE PROTEST. Another campaign lie by Obama exposed. LOL!! Liar.
Those are just a few that I can name off the top of my head. There are many more. But, couple all of this together with wasted stimulus, omnibus, bailouts of auto companies and banks, massive corruption like his best buddy Tony Rezko (now in prison) to Blago (now in prison) to Jon Corzine (soon to be in prison), to Solyndra and $500 million of taxpayer dollars gone and MF Global's failure, to rejecting the keystone pipeline which would have created thousands of jobs and reduce our dependency on foreign oil simply to appease a small base of environmentalist radicals etc etc...it just doesn't bode well for Obama and the Dems (thank God). Especially considering that several polls have Romney beating Obama if the election were held today, and also, no incumbent president IN HISTORY has been re-elected with approval ratings as low as Obama's.
Good times. Let me know when that head stops spinning.
Oh, the HORROR! a STADIUM named after a BANK!
I shudder...bunch of MORONS reporting this crap.