NEWS AND OPINION:
It is ironic that presidential candidates fault one another for raising big money for their campaigns, but continue to do so themselves. Case in point: There were 28 fundraisers in nine states plus China for Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton last week, including a grand finale hosted by actor George Clooney with a $353,400 admission price.
In total, Mrs. Clinton has raised $224 million for her campaign, according to the latest Federal Election Commission data. Her rival Sen. Bernard Sanders is critical of such mind-boggling numbers, though his own campaign has raised $139.8 million, from little donations averaging $27, he often says. The resourceful Mr. Sanders now is fundraising off Mrs. Clinton’s fundraising, satisfied by even a tenth of that famed “$27” figure.
“Thank you George Clooney,” advised his campaign manager Jeff Weaver in an voter outreach, praising the actor for admitting the big campaign bucks was “obscene” during a Sunday morning appearance on NBC.
“You cannot change a corrupt campaign finance system by taking its money. That’s what this election is about: tearing down a system where big money props up the institutions that rig the economy against ordinary Americans,” Mr. Weaver continued in his pitch. “Can 99 percent of Americans defeat the 1 percent trying to maintain the status quo? That’s why we have to ask: Contribute $2.70 to Bernie’s campaign today to help us win New York and as a way of saying you have had enough of millionaires and billionaires buying our campaigns and elections.”
Act Blue, the contribution site, gives options for potential donors that go as high as $1,000. But no matter.
“This is without question that most important week of our campaign. New York votes Tuesday and five states follow one week later. How we step up and respond in this moment could very well mean the difference between victory and defeat for our political revolution,” Mr. Weaver reasoned.
SEE ALSO: Paul Ryan caught in middle of budget war over Flint, Puerto Rico, Zika crises
24 HOURS BEFORE NEW YORK
Campaign callings differ for the presidential hopefuls on Monday, a day short of the all-important New York primary. Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton will be in Providence, Rhode Island, for a fundraiser with former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank. Sen. Bernard Sanders will be in Long Island City, New York for a rally in a big public park, accompanied by actors Danny Glover and Fisher Stevens.
New York also calls two Republicans. Donald Trump will be in Buffalo for a jumbo rally at a major arena. Ohio Gov. John Kasich is in Syracuse and Schenectady. Sen. Ted Cruz, meanwhile, appears at a patriotic gathering at an American Legion Hall in Towson, Maryland.
WHAT’S BREWING
It’s dueling marches on Monday, possibly with a cast of thousands. Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican, joins the Tea Party Patriots outside the Supreme Court on Monday. Inside, it’s United States Vs. Texas — a challenge to President Obama’s “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” program.
The group also bristles at the potential appointment of Judge Merrick Garland to the high court — Mr. Obama’s “liberal crony who will sign off on his unconstitutional power grabs,” says Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin.
SEE ALSO: Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton contrast in campaign approaches
She will also be joined by Curt Levey, executive director of the FreedomWorks Foundation, plus Carrie Severino, chief counsel fro the Judicial Crisis Network.
It will be crowded on those marble steps outside the mighty court, though. Forward for Families (www.fwd.us) and other activist groups also plan a major rally at the site to support Mr. Obama’s immigration policies; the two morning events begin an hour apart.
FOR THE LEXICON
“Golf gawkers”
—Term coined by Real Clear Politics analyst Alexis Simendinger to designate curious locals who assemble near the roadway when President Obama has a local golf outing, which is most every weekend.
In the last 24 hours, Mr. Obama journeyed to Caves Valley Golf Course in Owings Mills, Maryland, a 75-minute trip in a “motorcade of SUVs” complete with local police escort says Ms. Simendinger, the White House pool reporter on Sunday.
“President Obama completed a golf-devotional Sunday, after a golf-heavy Saturday,” she noted in the aftermath.
AN ADDENDUM FROM MISSISSIPPI
“I signed House Bill 786 to give churches the right to protect themselves from those who would harm them while they worship.”
— Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant in a Facebook post after he signed off on the “Mississippi Church Protection Act” on Friday. The legislation adopts permitless carry of firearms, and also allows residents to bring their firearm into a house of worship.
“Mississippi became the ninth state to pass legislation recognizing a law-abiding adult’s ability to carry a concealed pistol or revolver for personal protection without government-mandated permitting or fees. The new law takes effect immediately,” according to the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action.
NEWS FROM ELSEWHERE
And now a brief news flash for those who need respite from the political process. The Burpee Seed Company is laying claim to behemoth “Jaws” hybrid corn, new for 2016.
“Your eyes won’t believe your ears! A summer blockbuster you can really sink your teeth into, ’Jaws’ produces stunning, larger than life 12-inch long, 7-inch in diameter ears of sweet, golden-yellow corn with deep-set kernels up to 100 percent larger than normal. Each delicious ear — over one-third longer than average corn and bursting with big, old-fashioned corn flavor — will serve two corn lovers,” says the venerable company, founded in Philadelphia by W. Atlee Burpee in 1876, when he was only 18. The price: 100 seeds for $10 at Burpee.com
POLL DU JOUR
• 85 percent say it’s “extremely important” that their daily source of news be accurate.
• 77 percent say “completeness” of news is extremely important; 68 percent cite “transparency” of their news source, 66 percent cite balanced reporting.
• 60 percent say it’s extremely important that they personally keep up with news and information.
• 59 percent check their news sources several times a day; 20 percent check once a day.
• 52 percent say they have “some confidence” in the press; 41 percent have no confidence, 6 percent “a great deal of confidence.”
Source: An American Press Institute/Associated Press poll of 2,014 U.S. Adults conducted Feb. 18- March 6 and released Sunday.
• Complaints and accolades to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.