Obama White House defends social invites to top donors. Yawn. At least Lincoln bedroom not in play

It must universal, the instinct in politics to reward friends.

Turns out that President Obama, who promised a more ethical approach to governance, has been rewarding friends with the perks of office.

According to the Washington Times, fundraisers have been promised access to senior White House officials if they donate $30,400 (the ceiling) personally or bundle $300,000 before the 2010 midterm elections.

The list of particulars a la the WT: One top donor got a birthday visit to the Oval Office. Another got to use the White House bowling alley for a family event. Obama invited his top New York bundler, UBS Americas Chairman and CEO Robert Wolf, to golf with him during his vacation to Martha's Vineyard. Oh, and at least 39 donors and fundraisers were invited to a White House reception on St. Patrick's Day.

As scandals go, this sounds like a yawn. After all, there were those heady days of yore, when the Clinton White House offered campaign donrs a night's sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom.

"Contributing does not guarantee a ticket to the White House, nor does it prohibit the contributor from visiting," said Dan Pfeiffer, deputy White House communications director. "Given that nearly 4 million Americans donated to the campaign, it's no surprise that some who contributed have visited the White House, as have grass-roots organizers who didn't contribute financial support and people who actively opposed the president's candidacy."

-- Johanna Neuman

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Photo: The Lincoln Bedroom. Credit: White House

Comments

[Carolyn]

Again it's apparent that Obama is more into social settings and campaign mode rather than concentrate on whats important to the American people. He has more time tied up in "visiting" than any other president in the past. How about some decision making for a change. He really makes me sick.

[ryan w.]

does anyone actually edit this stuff?
"It must universal, the instinct in politics to reward friends."

It must what?

[james]

obama has lied to us all.

[sangjmoon]

So, it's ok with you that Obama is no better than any other scum politician? So much for hope and change.

[Dr. Jonathan Smith]

Seems like the press is really reaching to find something, anything controvercial to say about our president. The last attempt being a "big story" about President Obama "finally" golfing with a woman, as if that event is more of a step forward than a female Secretary of State. Sorry boys, this isn't the last administration in which every day brought a sense of disbelief and disgust at the degree of abuse of power, cronyism and government for and by the corporate donor. Must be hard to sell newspapers these days.

[Duncan]

"It must universal"???

If I'm supposed to believe you're a credible journalist, the least you can do is write a coherent sentence.

Especially if it's you're first sentence.

[Duncan]

Ha, sorry:

"Especially if it's YOUR first sentence."

Now you got me all mixed up.

[Michael]

I am sure the GOP was outraged when Bush was doing this too....No?

[speedy1969]

Transparency at the White House. . . true, we see straight through the lies we are being fed by the administration.