Weiners donate 100K for Obama inaugural

Published Jan 08 2009, 10:01 AM by Ian Donnis

Mark Weiner, the prodigious Democratic fundraiser and Clinton confidante, and his wife have combined to donate $100,000, the maximum allowable, for Obama's inauguration. Steven Stycos reports in this week's Phoenix.

Obama set the strictest limits ever for a presidential inauguration, limiting individual donations to $50,000 and declining contributions from corporations, unions, lobbyists, or political action committees. In 2005, President George Bush accepted contributions from all sources and limited individual donors to $250,000.

Contributions from the Weiners and others, however, raise questions.

"Donors to the inauguration will get up-close access to the new administration, establishing themselves on day one as some of the most supportive of the president-elect's supporters," Massie Ritsch, a spokesman for the Washington, DC-based Center for Responsive Politics (CRP), says via e-mail, "The question is, what, if anything, will they get in return — not just on Inauguration Day, but as the real work begins?"

Ritsch notes the Weiners' inaugural contributions far exceed the $2300 limit on presidential campaign contributions.

John Marion, the new executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island, says, "Private money going to public officials is something we need to keep an eye on."

Mark and Susan Weiner did not return phone calls from the Phoenix.

Mark Weiner has been a prominent Democratic fundraiser for more than 20 years. Records compiled by the CRP show that he and his wife donated $536,544 to federal candidates and PACs since 1993.

Filed Under: Democrats, Campaign finance, Obama

Carcieri moves ahead with Deepwater

Reax to Gov. Carcieri's special budget address

1 Comments

Eileen Spillane said:

It's a funny title. It certainly caught my attention.

January 8, 2009 4:21 PM

Follow the Providence Phoenix

All Blogs

Laser Orgy (34)
Phlog (1,420)
On The Download (2,163)
Dont Quote Me (518)
Talking Politics (1,523)
Outside The Frame (305)

Filed Under: Democrats, Campaign finance, Obama

Boston Phoenix
Has Obama peaked? No, he hasn't
Published 11/13/2009 by DAVID S. BERNSTEIN
Obama’s days of greatest power and popularity lie before him. But be warned: he might not do what you want with it.

Boston Phoenix
Our journalism echoes our politics
Published 7/31/2009 by LANCE TAPLEY
If the press reflects the times, which way will it go now?

more by Ian Donnis

Rhody's local food movement finds its groove | February 18, 2009

My last post (as Not for Nothing) | February 12, 2009

Tomorrow: Pulitzer finalist Dray at the Athenaeum | February 12, 2009

Ticket to ride | February 11, 2009

Health-care's big moneyman in New England . . . | February 11, 2009

See all articles by: Ian Donnis

Latest Comments

DJ Hero: Enter to Win a Free Copy! - I need some help Christmas is coming ang my mother just passed away (I swear to god and on her grave...

By Austin on 11-30-2009 in Laser Orgy

RIP, Mike Penner / Christine Daniels - I reread your earlier piece about Aiden Quinn, but I can't say I understand your logic. Yes, I agree...

By Brian on 11-30-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Khazei Sneaking Up? - I was going to vote for Coakley but switched to Khazei over the weekend after a few of my friends got...

By Matt on 11-30-2009 in Talking Politics

Lee Ranaldo picks his favorite albums of the decade - We asked Fletcher the same question: "Um, dude? Why is the camera on you instead of on Lee?"...

By Carly Carioli on 11-30-2009 in On The Download

Khazei Sneaking Up? - As a Capuano supporter, I'm miffed by his TV ads so far. The first, heartfelt and "nice," was...

By ricklapel on 11-29-2009 in Talking Politics

Latest Comments from Not For Nothing

Weiners donate 100K for Obama inaugural

1 Comments

Eileen Spillane said:

Leave a Comment