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Paying for access to the president?

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    'Special Report' All-Star panel weighs in

  • Duration 5:00
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The FedEx.

The lobbyists the special interests.

Who've turned our government and to a game only they can afford to play.

They write the checks and you get stuck with the bill.

They get the access -- you get to write a letter.

They think they all this government but were here today to take it back.

Well that was then Senator Obama launching his campaign in 2007.

Talking about the access of big money.

And the political campaigns and having.

Influence in policy now former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina is heading up a group.

That has transformed its called organizing for action and advocacy group.

And other doing a few things.

There's a few of them they're bringing in.

-- if -- donors you bring in 500000 dollars they'll have quarterly meetings.

With the president to.

Big donors.

They also meet with the -- Obama the White House unlimited personal and corporate donations.

And it's.

There are some critics of all of this.

Especially what the president said about the influence of money and campaigns were back -- them.

Steve what about -- the White House is pushing back saying that oh FAA is completely separate and still committed to reducing the role of money in pop.

Right I mean and that basically I -- Jay Carney had a difficult job I think -- defending the administration.

These points but.

He responded basically with -- above statement is clearly reading and it was a series of non sequitur is about how the president.

Police broadly in campaign finance reform but he didn't actually answer at least not in my mind.

In a convincing way the specific charges about in fact pay for play are people going to be able to pay 500000 dollars.

And then get regular meetings at the White House he didn't answer that I thought very convincingly.

And you know it's it's not I say enough for the for the president in favor and some abstract way.

Campaign finance reform and getting money out of politics.

He there was a statement that you played back from 2007 when the president talked about remaking the way we do politics in this country.

But there was also when he said today in the clip that we played in the first panel when the president said.

We want to have the well off and the well connected winning politics all the time what that basically is what sounds like is going on here -- Well I think the Republicans have hit on a remarkable talking point -- This could be their Lincoln bedroom.

Four.

As -- -- plus Obama can now I think the question is whether or not the public holds Obama to a tough standard on this and I think that's where it gets a little bit.

Murkier you ask legislators.

Why they never perceived campaign finance in addition to that you know the obvious self interest.

It's not a winner with the public people don't really think about it it's not something that that you can easily get their heads around.

And in addition to that I also think there's there's just.

Or more practical question.

You do the American people believe that the president should fight with one hand tied behind his back because you know these are the rules like it or not.

That exist.

To be fair Jay Carney also said that the president Democrats on Capitol Hill.

Backs disclose acts of banning loopholes bringing more transparency to political system but they were blocked by Republicans.

Yes it's always Republicans -- prevent Obama from acting ethically.

Remarkable how that happens look this is a man -- descendant of the Mount Olympus that's where he started out in the clip you showed in 2007 he was a man who was -- Redeem our politics eliminate the money to waste of money or changes out of the temple and now he's doing he's breaking new ground.

In lobbying selling access and peddling influence but here is demonizing the rich every other day for not preparing.

Paying their fair share for essentially crushing the hopes of the middle class and the working class.

And now all of a sudden there's a subset of the -- -- really likes.

Could those who will give him half a million dollars and in return -- will let them sit on the next advisory committee.

And they will get access to him quarterly or four times a year.

You know advisory committees are generally -- you pick people with wisdom and experience -- give you advice from the outside.

His idea of a committee of that sort is rich people who will vote blindly support whatever policy he supports.

That is the essence of this organization and even -- wants to do.

He'll support who have a lot of money -- part -- the -- and that's his idea of advice.

I think it's remarkable.

He Stoops -- to conquer and I think it's rather I'm pretty regardless of whether it's a winning issue with the public and just taking it for.

No I think -- is probably right about the way the public views this not terribly interest -- there's a little hypocrisy pop but I don't think it's any different now.

Karen thanks for being.

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