We already know that Obama’s transition staff is stacked with campaign donors and fundraisers. And despite the vaunted small-donor base developed by the Obama campaign, big-ticket bundlers are also beginning to filter into the emerging Obama administration, led by Gregory Craig and Valerie Jarrett.Okay, here's my problem with the piece. One, it admits that these two folks have strong credentials. Two, it doesn't talk about Valerie Jarrett's personal relationship with the Obamas at all, which is a pretty big thing to be skipping. I'll admit the article is on stronger ground with Gregory Craig, whom apparently has only been in the Obama orbit since 2006, but one look at his CV should dispel any worries.
Both Craig, who will be White House counsel, and Jarrett, tapped as a senior adviser, have strong professional credentials. Craig served as a foreign policy advisor to Senator Ted Kennedy and in Madeleine Albright’s State Department. He also has the distinction of having played John McCain during debate prep. Jarrett is a force in Chicago politics and one of Obama’s longest-serving advisers.
It’s worth noting, though, that both Craig and Jarrett offered the Obama campaign more than just trenchant advice. Jarrett raised more than $100,000 as a campaign bundler, according to Public Citizen, a D.C. watchdog group. Craig raised more than $200,000.
But if you're Valerie Jarrett, and you've known the Obamas for years, back to the State Senate days. If you're the woman who introduced Barack Obama to David Axelrod, if this is your friend, aren't you going to give just about the maximum you can, even if in a bundle to your pal? Shouldn't any of this be mentioned in the article?
Job or no job, Valerie Jarrett was raising that kind of money for the Obamas. Period.
This strikes me as a chicken and the egg story. What existed first the relationship or the bundle? If it's the relationship, I don't think you've got a lot to complain about.
No comments:
Post a Comment