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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.
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Obama: Way to go dude, not. More like way to commit political suicide! I loathe Bank of America and wish it to burn in the fires of Hell.
What's the big deal? The Lucas Oil Stadium is tied up for the Super Bowl & he didn't want to use Houston's Reliant Energy Stadium
Charlotte has no other large facility to handle the crowd of Obama supporters
It wasn't Obama's decision, it was the DNCs
Kinda shows you how out of touch with the Middle Class Obama really is.
Expect the Speaker of the House to quit the job as he has been asked to do so by Nancy Regan. Ashamed is one of the words used
This is simply asinine.
It's just a NAME. Symbolism and semantics are fine in a movie. Not in politics. Of course, that doesn't stop a lot of far right/left partisans from thinking in strictly esoteric terms.
Made my point. If this was a Republican however- it would be obvious proof of the coziness with Wall Street and lack of respect for America and yada yada yada. As long as your point applies to BOTH republicans and democrats (which obama defenders and the press rarely do) I agree. It's stupid!
This is a no win either way. Had the Democrats not chosen this stadium simply because of the corporate sponsor, the GOP would be claiming proof of the Democrats anti-business, anti-corporate bias myth that they like to promote. Personally, I don't care if it does have BofA's name on the stadium. Keep the rules and regulations in place that allowed these greed masters to tank our economy and continue to speak out against the evils of greed and malfeasance wherever it may exist. That is not being anti capitalist or anti-business.
Obama always needs colosseums to accomodate the Obamanation ... as opposed to right-wingers who struggle to fill-up dingy little haunts for beer-hall putsches for the tormented hate-mongers ...
LOL.
Sheep need big pasture.
Cows need bigger.
Hey, I have an idea.
How about he MAILS out his acceptance.
What a boost that would be the the Postal Service.
The circulation would be nearly 100%.
Because you KNOW how many people in America go the the mailbox to look for the government check.
Nobody who listens to Obama speak will care anyway as long as he keeps paying them for their vote.
Is Obama the 'food stamp president'?
"food stamp rolls have swelled more under Obama's tenure than under his recent predecessors. Also, his 2009 Recovery Act allowed even more people to sign up.
The number of people in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has soared to an average 44.7 million in fiscal 2011, up 33% from fiscal 2009. Obama's stimulus act made it easier for childless, jobless adults to qualify for the program and increased the monthly benefit by about 15% through 2013."
http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/17/news/economy/obama_food_stamps/index.htm?source=cnn_bin
Will he give the speech in English or Spanish?
You forgot,,, When Obama took over 7 million American Families were losing jobs because of conservative policies & failures to stop the economic collapse
It was conservatives who put them on the welfare rolls,,, It's conservative cuts to public jobs that are putting more American Families on the welfare rolls.... Private industry has made steady progress because of his policies
YOU forgot.
Clinton started all of that with his "Home for Every American Regardless of Income or Credit Plan"
I swear, how can liberals forget so soon?
Bet I can sell you a beachfront property close to where Katrina hit.
AND that, among other problems is what conservatives had to face.
Not only that, but Clinton was given a surplus on a silver platter by conservatives.
It goes all the way back to the very 1st argument over regulating the financial market... Long before Clinton ---- Obviously it needed regulation & tight oversight & Clinton did add to it a bit... Credit Default Swaps are still used, only with tighter regulation that conservatives fight to stop
However you decide to view it, it is recorded history that it happened in 2007... On the conservative's watch
Clinton signed it with a smile and with the envelope protruding from his fat ass.
He had the power of veto.
Even if the house and congress were heavily conservative at the time, it could have been contested more.
But why use it when you can pad your pocket?
You die hard liberals really need to keep up on current events more often.
so let me get this straight. When a republiCON president signs a bill passed by a dem led congress, the bailout, and FY 2008-2009 budgets, it's the congresses fault. But, when a democratic president passes a bill passed by a republiCON congress, it's the President's fault? Did I get it correct?
And the surplus was given to Obama by a democratic congress, in the Omnibus budget reconcilliation act of 1993, a law that not one single wingnut voted for.
Man you are smart.
(for a liberal)
Except you got the surplus thing wrong.
The surplus was given to Clinton.
Obama never had a surplus, his only problem is he does not know how to add.
Everytime he uses a bic, he "taketh away".
No, the surplus thing was right, of course you wingnuts wouldn't know that because you have been brainwashed by FUX.
And Clinton that surplus to Bush, who immediately squandered it. And, you talk about Obama not knowing had to add?
Right Pjam09...heaven forbid he help feed people who might need it or hell, try to provide health care for those that might not otherwise have it or end the war that killed 4000+ innocent American service men and women, not to mention the civillian casualties, of a war based of greed and evil by the last Republican DEVIL...idiot.
What's the big deal? The Lucas Oil Stadium is tied up for the Super Bowl & he didn't want to use Houston's Reliant Energy Stadium
Charlotte has no other large facility to handle the crowd of Obama supporters
He has to find parking for buses.
The paid drivers have to have a place to sleep for fifteen minutes.
Obama choosing B of A stadium for his speech is just the "Gaff of the Week". It's a cynical decision that says I really don't give a damn about you people who have been wiped out by or lost your homes to B of A--Just give me a place where I can pack in a lot of mindless know nothings to cheer maniacally to fool the voters into believing I'm popular and competent." Not only does Obama have no balls, he has no integrity. He makes this kind of egregious blunder every day, it seems. No one [except for those of us who foolishly voted for him in 08] should be surprised by this callous decision. His former supporters will not be fooled again.
Dude,,,, Get over it
The stadium happens to be the only place that can hold an event like that
Thousands of Real Americans who have not forgotten their patriotism & nation's history are coming to see him
Jim, get over it dude.
There is no reason for an unopposed party member to even do this.
It is a waste of food stamp and little Timmy dollars.
Where did Perry hold his prayer event, wasn't it Reliant Energy Stadium? --- Now that was a waste of money
Wait, Jim did you say REAL Americans?
The ones who believe in hard work, carrying their own weight and looking for work instead of walking to a mailbox?
Well, Obama will have a hard time filling those buses.
jim, not for 36,000 people who like that jesus guy.
the pope sell out stadiums too, yes ?
i will see roger waters "the wall" at toyota center this spring.....and it's sold out too.
...sold out.
Viewer, you wouldn't know a real American if he happened to bite you on the ass.
toyota center is a basketball arena and hold 19,000. Now, if you said you were seeing the Rolling Stones, then you can compare it to the crowd Obama will have.
And, I have to seriously question anyone who would see Roger Waters, it was Pink Floyd that made Waters.
agree rad, but ....i wish they could play together, but they will never roger and dave are too jaded to play together.
but it should be a pretty good show.
He should give the speech in a telephone booth. That would accomodate everyone interested in his nonsensical blather easily.
More evidence of the hypocrisy of Democrats. The Obama machine will take in millions from Trial Lawyers and Wall Street moneyed interests but never say a peep about it. Think they are in politics for the sake of "Occupy" and other average Americans??? Get real. They're selfish and out for themselves, playing on people's emotions. Vote for Romney. At least he stands a chance of getting the economy rev'ed up and moving again. Obama intends to feed Americans crumbs but proclaim he'll generate wealth for all.... if you simply will vote for him and keep his machine in power (which is the real goal here).
Romney is the same book as Obama with a different cover. Obama gets his policies from the Romney camp. The same people and money support both of them. In public they appear to be against each other but in private they are planning for the New World Order and laughing at us.
Their policies mirror each other.
Which Romney?
Total nonsense!!!
Wake Up America,
Bank of America is not an American Bank. Bank of America is calling in all of their loans to be paid in full by 01/25/2012.
There is more to the story than meets the eye. You have to read between the lines.
Read the Writing on the Wall.
Jeffery,,, I've been banking with Bank of America since I was in kindergarten & I'm 63.... It's an American Bank
Which Jim are you today Bugs Bunny?
You are hopping all over the place. What did they put in your carrots?
eh, what's up doc.... Change the channel
My carrots are growing in my weed patch, keep your nose out of my garden and out of my rabbit hole
...looney tunes
what up jim ?
How's it going Keck? I've been having fun here today
LOL, i just got off work, having a beer and a laugh.
Bank of American Bailouts stadium? Quite appropriate.
Bain Capital doesn't have enough Bailout money yet to buy a stadium for themselves
Get over it, that's the way stadiums are financed today, it's been going on for quite awhile
we kid...because B of A doesnt care one way or another.
Jim, I know we have fun in here from time to time.
I need to go to bed because I work.
I have a hard time believing that you believe what you say you believe.
Anyway, have a nice liberal nights sleep.
How many people remember the name of the stadium in Denver where he delivered his 2008 acceptance speech? The only ones that do are either from Colorado or are NFL fans.
I would get my money out of Bank of America if I had any in there. They might steal it.
Confederate currency they wouldn't accept anyway
Shea Stadium became Citi Field.... Does anyone stop going to the Mets games because they raised your credit card rates?
Does anyone not go to to the 49'rs games because it is 3 Com Park?
Do the Carolina Panthers stop playing football because it is Bank of America Stadium?
OMG,,, The "Carolina Panthers" are an affiliate of the Black Panthers!
Come on folks get off the drama, it only makes you look even more foolish
This is such a joke. The Repubichairs ran on jobs, jobs, jobs in 2010. What have the done? Absolutely nothing but obstruct. They want to be able to tell a woman what to do with her body and when. That is all they have done since they were voted into office except attacking President Obama on things that were the results of policies that were made by the last administration. They started two unpaid for wars and this President had to add the costs of these two wars into his budget. This is laughable. The Teapubichairs are useless in every way. Can't wait for the 2012 elections. The real american people sees through the deception. Contrary to what the Repubichairs believe, we are on to you and you "trickel down" ecomonics. The people are not stupid. We now know what you are all about.
Obama/Biden = 2012
They want Keystone a Canadian company to profit on high price sand oil we don't need or use & their Bush tax cuts made permanent--- Republicans will keep holding jobs for America's Families hostage
Keystone still hasn't cleaned up after their last major pipeline spill in Michigan... They can't figure out how to deal with some of the most highly dangerous caustic carcinogens sand oil comes with
Likely, they bought him, so they have a right to order him to use their stadium Why the surprise and fuss?
Security may be a concern. Hope that they have plan B if there is anything happens, e.g. evacuation.
Why is everyone focusing on the name, I am more concern for the another reason is so they can lease out the fancy upscale private boxes. And hob nob with the rich and famous, who have no idea what the adverage american is going through right now.
I don't care what party they are, they are catering to the Lobbyist and the rich corporate... The little guy does not have a say anymore in this country... it's our own fault however because we are like robots we repeat what we are program to think by mass media and the government.
When we become a government for the people and by the people will we ever get out of the mess we are in,,, however I wonder if we are to late... average Joe American, has short attention span, would whether, doesn’t' want to be bothered, don't mess with his sports, music reality shows,,, and he is dumb fat and happy, until one day he wakes up and finds he does not live in the land of the free, and has no rights..
May the person who can lead the USA out its Economic Recession Win. May the the USA be strong and powerful than ever before. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)