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dc_dux · 04-03-2008, 05:42 PM

For me its an issue of how former presidents raise funds for their libraries (while still in office and beyond) and the potential impact on public policy even after their term in office....Clinton as a potential First Husband does add an additional layer of interest.

In addition to being a self-serving "historical" museum and storing presidential documents, these libraries conduct serious policy discussions, forums, etc. on domestic and international issues on a regular basis.

Both GHW Bush and Clinton Library Foundations are known to have received $millions in donations from the Saudi royal family, the Dubai Foundation, Kuwait interest groups, Taiwan business organizations, (and who knows what other foreign interests as noted in the OP article).

At the very least, there is a perception of a quid pro quo.....we (foreigners) donate to your library, you show your appreciation in the tone and direction of your policy forums on issues of concern to us.

The same applies to domestic contributors with an "agenda" that can use the Presidential Library policy forums as a platform.

We should at least know who they are.....foreign and domestic, particularly since former Pres Carter, Clinton, and to a lesser degree GHW Bush are still active in public policy debates.

edit:
And then there is the sleaze factor...no proof of direct correlation.

GWH Bush pardons Edwin Cox (bank fraud) - Daddy Cox donates $couple hundred thousand to the Bush library.

Clinton pardons Marc Rich (tax evasion) - wifey and friends pledge over $1million to the Clinton library.

We need transparency.

04-03-2008, 05:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
dc_dux Location: Washington DC	For me its an issue of how former presidents raise funds for their libraries (while still in office and beyond) and the potential impact on public policy even after their term in office....Clinton as a potential First Husband does add an additional layer of interest. In addition to being a self-serving "historical" museum and storing presidential documents, these libraries conduct serious policy discussions, forums, etc. on domestic and international issues on a regular basis. Both GHW Bush and Clinton Library Foundations are known to have received $millions in donations from the Saudi royal family, the Dubai Foundation, Kuwait interest groups, Taiwan business organizations, (and who knows what other foreign interests as noted in the OP article). At the very least, there is a perception of a quid pro quo.....we (foreigners) donate to your library, you show your appreciation in the tone and direction of your policy forums on issues of concern to us. The same applies to domestic contributors with an "agenda" that can use the Presidential Library policy forums as a platform. We should at least know who they are.....foreign and domestic, particularly since former Pres Carter, Clinton, and to a lesser degree GHW Bush are still active in public policy debates. edit: And then there is the sleaze factor...no proof of direct correlation. GWH Bush pardons Edwin Cox (bank fraud) - Daddy Cox donates $couple hundred thousand to the Bush library. Clinton pardons Marc Rich (tax evasion) - wifey and friends pledge over $1million to the Clinton library. We need transparency. __________________ "The perfect is the enemy of the good." ~ Voltaire Last edited by dc_dux; 04-03-2008 at 07:35 PM..