Clinton fundraiser out for film connection

Posted: Sunday, March 09, 2008 6:29 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's David Gelles
Marc Ambinder reports on his blog that there's one less HillRaiser out there...

A Turkish-American Hill-Raiser who 'who financed a film that depicted an American Jew trading in Iraqi body parts' has been cast out of the Clinton circle of trust, according to a report by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Clinton adviser Ann Lewis told the JTA that the campaign was 'unaware' of Mehmet Celebi's involvement with the film. But wait -- a Google search suggests that the campaign was contacted by the New York Post on 2/11 and declined comment...

FULL STORIES BELOW
FROM THE JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY:
The Clinton campaign is no longer taking contributions from a Turkish American who financed a film that depicted an American Jew trading in Iraqi body parts.

Mehmet Celebi had been listed on the presidential campaign website of U.S. Sen. Hilalry Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as a "Hill-raiser," someone who had raised more than $100,000 for her presidential bid. Celebi had co-produced "Valley of the Wolves: Iraq," a 2006 film based on a popular Turkish TV series about a crack Turkish combat unit.

The film depicts a Jewish American doctor harvesting organs from prisoners.

"We were unaware of Mr. Celebi's involvement in this film and we obviously do not agree with it," Ann Lewis, a senior adviser to the campaign said Friday in response to a query from JTA. Lewis, who plays a lead role for the campaign in dealing with the Jewish community, added: "He is no longer raising money for this campaign."

PAGE SIX
February 11, 2008 -- SEN. Hillary Clinton has gotten cozy with a Turkish-born businessman whom some have described as anti-Semitic. Clinton's campaign Web site identifies Mehmet Celebi as one of her "HillRaisers" - someone who has raised at least $100,000 for her presidential bid. This despite Celebi's controversial producing credit on "Valley of the Wolves: Iraq" - a 2006 movie that depicted a Jewish doctor removing the vital organs of civilian prisoners to sell to wealthy transplant patients overseas. "In accordance with the old anti-Semitic canard, the movie portrays Jewish-American doctors as forcibly harvesting organs from Muslims to give them to Jews," noted Detroit lawyer and columnist Debbie Schlussel observes on her blog. Clinton spokesman Jay Carson didn't get back to us for comment.

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Comments

Is this true? Or is the film propaganda against Jews? or against Americans? I think MSNBC must do some more digging and real reporting on this. Either way, it seems clear once again that Senator Clinton does not care where her money comes from, as long as she gets it. I hope this is the beginning of an investigation of all the money sources in her campaign. When voters see the people the Clintons take money from, and I mean big money, they will be revolted.

anita preer Boston MA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 12:12 AM)

It isn't a pocketbook issue like NAFTA. It speaks to the question of one's social mores but we all knew she had none going into this thing so I'm not sure if this item will have much impact.

trouble (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 12:18 AM)

It isn't as if she took money from a small-time operator like Tony Rezko. Oh wait, she did.

Frank Weinberg, Park Forest, IL (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 12:18 AM)

The Clintons knew about it allrigt. They just held on to it until it became public.

But like Bill said, "Its just politics".

I wouldn't be surprised if they put a spin on this saying the Obama and the media is attacking her.

I hope we can end this type of "politics".

Ed Angels , Milwaukee, WI (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 12:23 AM)

This is an outrageous story! How can Hillary bring up Rezko when she is knee deep in questionable donors. I hope she is going to donate the $100,000 to charity...the way Obama donated his Rezko donations to charity. This story better get a lot of media coverage...the same way Obama got a lot of negative media coverage last week. Why isn't the media doing a thorough investigation into all the Clinton donors?

Sharon from San Francisco, CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 12:26 AM)

Hey Chuck D what's up with the Peter Paul story, Clinton took money from this guy's fund raising, then she denies it. Where's that story, vid on you tube, Google his name.

Flavor (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 12:51 AM)

I am so tired of the Clinton's. They are a disgrace to the Democtrice party. How can anyone supoprt them?

ann31 (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 12:54 AM)

Sounds like Hillary has another Peter Paul problem. I wonder what she promised Mehme Celebi for his support.

She insults our intelligence again by saying she wasn't aware.

Stop with the double standard. Please just denounce and reject him already.

Rozetter, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 1:05 AM)

I suppose she won't get rid of this money, either, just as with the company under investigation for widespread sexual harassment, headed by a disbarred lawyer with a criminal record, no less. Looks like the true Clinton 'by hook or by crook' campaign has reared its head again.

J Edwards, Tacoma, Wash. (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 1:16 AM)

Hillary would eat a ham sandwich at a barmisfa if it would get her elected.

I don't like Hillarry (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 1:48 AM)

I seriously doubt that this movie is based on fact but if it is, maybe the Jewish doctors wanted to salvage some perfectly good body parts before the fanatic muslims blew themselves to smithereens.

P. Jackson, Covina, CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 1:51 AM)

Sure, but does Hillary Clinton denounce and reject Mehmet Celebi?

Lusk, WY (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 1:52 AM)

Come on first Read!
You forgot to say; "As far as I know".

PAW, Oakland, CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 1:58 AM)

Why am I not surprised? The Clintons are astonishingly tactical players with double standards (Note: Obama donated the rezko funds to charity). Obama has painted himself into a corner with his inablity to draw blood. As somebody who wants the Democrats to win in November, I am disappointed with both candidates.

John

John, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 2:00 AM)

Why not public a negative story attacking Obama? You Woman haters at MSNBC. I am through with all of you!!!!

Suck it!!

LuMarie Twiaman, Loon Lake, WA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 2:13 AM)

This needs to get more media attention the same as Senator Obama's middle name. Why is it so hidden?

antonia (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 2:31 AM)

The news, while disheartening, is not surprising,, given the bigotry and bias of the Clintons and their campaign staff. However, what is surprising is the fact that these types of things are finally being exposed about Hillary Clinton, and that she is at long, long last, beginning to be vetted and exposed. The truth eventually does make it's way out there. I aplaud the journalists who are finally admitting Mrs. Clinton has skeletons in the closet and has been hiding things from the American Public, while holding other candidates, especially Senator Obama, to a completely different standard. We, the American people and citizens of These United States, deserve to know the truth in it's entirety. The Clintons must not be allowed special privilige, in keeping their devisive policies and practices unknown, while attacking others unfoundedly, in order to divert media and the public's attention from what they are obviously covering up. We must not allow another "closed door" White House.

Ritz (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 3:03 AM)

It sure is very convenient to say he's no longer raising money for us but how about donating the money he already raised to charity? This is a very good example of more of the same. Turn the table for a second and imagine Celebi saying oh, I didn't know Hillary was first lasy from 1992-2000. Right?!

Ken (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 3:04 AM)

Hillary Clinton didn't know about Celebi?

Do she or her campaign really believe the American public is this gullible and naive to believe Ann Lewis' response?

The NY Post asked the Clinton campaign for a response about Mehmet Celebi a month ago, but I guess they must have been too busy to worry about researching the background of their $100,000+ bundler.

Then in Ohio, Clinton had the chutzpah to badger Barack Obama about his unsolicited support by Farakhan, hoping that voters would think Obama is an anti-semite through guilt by association.

Ms. Clinton, when you have someone as vile and anti-Semitic as Celebi prominently displayed on your webiste, you shouldn't throw stones.

I have two outstanding questions for the Clinton campaign: 1. When are they going to return his blood money? and 2. Do they still plan on having Celebi represent them at the convention in Denver as a delegate from Chicago?

Al Zine (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 3:13 AM)

Hilary clinton cannot e trusted atall,too many favours,the same washinghton business as usual.
WHO IS MEHMET CELEBI, again Hilary,someone dealing with BODY PARTS IN IRAQ,THATS EVIL CONCERNING I THINK JEWISH PEOPLE,SO THIS MEHMET CELEBI DOES NOT LIKE JEWS,NO WONDER.
WE DONT TRUST U HILARY,U ARE OK IN THE ENATE HOUSE,THANK U 4 UR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY.

eazy,newyork (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 3:51 AM)

Let's make sure we give back all the money this Anti-Semetic HILL-RAISER(LOL) raised for the campaign to a good charity like the Holcaust Museum in D.C. I cannot believe as Americans, we are falling for the Clintons. Hypocrisy, Lies and Division are the status quo for the Clinton Campaign Machine.

JDUBS, Scranton PA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 4:36 AM)

Some more hypocrisy from Hillary Clinton. Of course she won't "reject and denounce" this guy. I believe she would take money from Mussolini or Hitler if it helped her get closer to stealing the nomination.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 5:04 AM)

So what else is new with the Clinton campaign -- they will take money from anyone and everyone.

Doreen Augusta Maine (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 5:36 AM)

Why would this come as a surprise to anyone? The public needs to catch up with current events although very rarely reported on in the media such as their involvement with Rezko as well.
http://www.margieburns.com/blog/_archives/2008/2/2/3501879.html
and the upcoming fraud trial of Bill Clinton which will have both Senator Clinton AND Gov. Ed Rendell testifying.

http://www.peterfpaul.com/2008/02/26/gov-rendell-complicit-in-frauds-that-elected-hillary-to-senate-now-endorses-her-for-president/

Here's hoping censorship will not play a role in this post and restore some faith in the media as there is growing concern about this.

Terri Brown, San Jose, CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 6:01 AM)

And when Suha Arafat accused Israel of poisoning Palestinian children, Hillary Clinton gave her a hug and a kiss. It took a few days/weeks for her people to explain away that one, too. Are we really supposed to believe they didn't know about this until a few days ago? Another example of being sorry... that they were caught.

SK, Buffalo, NY (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 6:07 AM)

It is not enough for Hillary to denounce "Hillraiser" Celebi. She must REJECT the money he has raised. A contribution to a charity would be appropriate.

April Carlson, L.A., CA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 6:07 AM)

Bummer. Take the money and run is a philosophy that is going to backfire Hilly... whew!!! Best to come clean and give all the dirty money back today or tomorrow. Sweet dreams your way!!!

Bob (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 6:30 AM)

well she rejected anymore funds from him it might have took a while to investagat him to prove if rumor was fales or not why would she lie she knows yall the press knows every time she gose to the bath room and would find out if she did lie maybe she will donate that conturbution to cherity the way obama claimed he did on all the bad people he took money from did she say or did yall the press give her a chance to befor yall try to smut her name again and knock her back a day befor voteing starts in mississippi

debra1953 (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 6:37 AM)

As Andrew Sullivean posted on the Atlantic, if this was the Obama campaign it would be all over the headlines. Why is no one talking about this?

Shannon Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 7:21 AM)

More kitchen sink, win at all costs mentality followed by deny deny deny when caught.

Can we eliminate this politics as usual? Yes we can!

Randy E (SC) (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 7:29 AM)

Another Clinton scandal. Why am I not surprised. The Clinton's have so many it's hard for any news agency to keep up with them. What about Peter Paul MSNBC? Yep she's been vetted. lol

Be Real, MI (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 7:34 AM)

This just shows that the Clintons are still hiding the facts about many things and yet they attack Obama. Give me a break.

Nate, Rochester, NY (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 7:50 AM)

Once AGAIN....she will take money from anyone.
Why didn't the Clinton campaign come out with this themselves, REJECT AND DENOUNCE this man, and give this money back!
Why hasn't she reurned the money from the contributor..involved in the WORST case of sexual harrassment in the EEOC history?
Why hasn't she released her 2006 tax returns?
Just "more of the same" politics that we have had with Bush, no ethics, morals and chracter, with Hillary Clinton!

America NEEDS CHANGE..for our childrens safety and future in a democracy at chaos!!

conPA (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 7:58 AM)

wow! and they like to point fingers am just glad obama does not play dirty politics like she does.i belive their closets are full of shady characters like this!

ever seattle (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 7:58 AM)

This is the best Obama's campaign could come up with? Some guy who once raised money for Hillary? DO you know how many people have raised money for Hillary Clinton? This is a sad attempt to deflect media attention away from the fact that Barack Obama is backed by Louis Farrakhan and refuses to distance himself from his pastor who praises Farrakhan.

Frieda Doheny, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 7:59 AM)

This shouldn't surprise anyone. The Clintons are always aligning themselves with overseas undesireables. Bill's overseas donations from Saudi Arabia for his library, and others who donated were seeking policy changes from the administration. If and when she does make her tax information public, it will be interesting to see who else they're in cahoots with. I cannot believe anyone would vote for Hillary Clinton based on the information if you take the time to research. I REMEMBER the Clinton administration, and believe me it will be the same or even worse if Hillary takes office. Really, is this the type of person that you all want in the White House, AGAIN?!?! Do you really TRUST her to do the right thing for the American people??? Don't you see that she is in the hip pocket of overseas businesses/businessmen who are the ones causing our gas prices to astronomically rise??? Not to mention who she may be dealing with in regards to healthcare. If she is the Democratic nominee and if she does win the presidency, you all are in for the shock of your lives.

K"Hussein"J, Dallas, TX (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:20 AM)

UH-OH! or should I say OY VAY

J (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:31 AM)

Well, okay, we’re back to even. Each campaign has at least one anti-semitic smear against it. Maybe now we can get back to stuff like … the war, universal health care, global warming, social security, the economy …. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

Obama/Webb 08

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:39 AM)

This is a serious scandal that could mark the end of the Clinton candidacy.

Charles (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:43 AM)

As a 53 year old white woman who has waited my entire life to have the opportunity to vote for a viable woman candidate I am deeply saddened by this candidate. She looks like me, but acts like "them". Who is them? The good old boys that set the glass ceiling in place. Same old tired politics of ME first and then country, party, and constituents. Yes, we do need change in America. I'm tired of lobbyists stealing my country, tired of politics of Me first, tired of torture, tired of worrying about health care, jobs, and tired of being sick and tired.
My college age kids have shown me that this year's election is critical for the planet, and I am ready for a change. Go Obama!

DQuinn (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:53 AM)

What else is new with Hill-Billy. They will pimp out and get in bed with anyone that aids them in getting what they want. If this had been Mr. Obama, we would be getting a CONSTANT barrage from MSNBC, FOXNEWS and CNN on this one. But wait... not a mumbling word from these bastions of fair and balanced media. When one of "their own" is caught consorting with Anti-Semites there is hardly a whimper from you folks.

Where is the balanced account of ALL her secret money deals to fund her campaign? Who else will she owe favors to because of it? BILLARY will sell out anyone to get their self-entitled place as Queen and King of the free world.

Buster (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:57 AM)

If hillary clinton wants to talk about Tony Resko I sure hope she is willing to discuss the involvement of the anti-semitic racists Celebi. Of course hillary clinton won't because she is a miserable vomitous mass.

Patrick, Indianapolis (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:57 AM)

Why should this be newsworthy. For all of her bombast regarding being "vetted," she may be the least vetted of ANY major candidate in the last thirty years. Being sniped at by the opposition (and then largely in an oblique and accidental manner since the vast majority of the barbs were directed at her husband) does not constitute being "vetted." Her campaign derides Obama's connection to Rezko, yet Vince Foster and Whitewater are off limits? Her campaign "outs" Obama for a clandestine meeting with Canadians, yet it was HER campaign that initiated the discussions with the Canadians (she got a pass on that one, too). She is utterly contemptuous of Obama's perceived "lack of experience" yet cannot control her own campaign or husband, and is adamant that none of the details of her obviously policy-heavy experience as First Lady be made public. She calls on Obama to "reject and denounce" Farrakhan (supposedly for his anti-semitism), yet when confronted with openly racist statements made by one of her supporters (about Obama, no less) she actually EMBRACES the support, and lends her own doubts about Obama's religion and truthfulness on national television. Is there any wonder that she would have ties to an anit-semitic, bigoted cash cow? He probably occupied space beneath the same rock that Mark Penn calls home. The ONLY surprises here are that she hasn't blamed it on Obama, and that she has in any way distanced herself. By the way, has she returned ALL of the money donated and raised by this vermin, as Obama VOLUNTARILY did when that campaign discovered Rezko's alleged misdeeds?

John Doe, Raleigh, NC (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:58 AM)

Are they giving back the money? Probably not. We learned 30 years ago--follow the money. How about we follow it right into Bill's library and foundation. Get to work you in the press!!

Michael Smith--Greenwich,CT (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 8:58 AM)

Hill's problem is that if she were required to return the donatons of every shady character contributing to her campaign, she would be so far in debt her husband would have to sell his soul to a dictator in a former soviet republic in exchange for uranium deal.

Her problem with that is that it has already happened and there are only so many uranium deposits and trillionaire canadiens out there.

turnip (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 9:03 AM)

what else is new? The Clintons are corrupt and AMericans have a short memory

Jesse Rawlings (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 9:03 AM)

hillary clinton is a miserable vomitous mass! What an embarassment she is the Democratic party. I will NEVER vote for hillary clinton.

Patrick, Indianapolis (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 9:10 AM)

hillary clinton is a miserable vomitous mass! What an embarassment she is the Democratic party. I will NEVER vote for hillary clinton.

Patrick, Indianapolis (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 9:10 AM)

ha, both the dem. candidates are rotten. anyone who thinks differently is just a naive fool. either of these people will say or do anything to get elected. they're politicians people! show me one who says he won't flop or fold on an issue to get more votes, and i'll show you a liar.

lb, naval sta., japan (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 9:21 AM)

That makes it at leat $270,000 that the Clinton campaign should refund:

1. $170,000 should be refunded to the company involved in sexual harassment lawsuits.
2. $100,000 refunded to this filmmaker.

New Wave (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 9:38 AM)

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