Colombian government fires Penn's firm

Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2008 3:53 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
The Wall Street Journal: "An offended Colombian government canceled its six-figure public-relations contract with the firm of Hillary Clinton's chief campaign strategist, Mark Penn, calling his response to new political questions in the U.S. about his dual roles 'a lack of respect to Colombians.'"

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Comments

This is a very serious issue that deserves the medias' FULL ATTENTION and REPORTING..I hope it is not swept under the rug. The other issue that needs to be discussed is Hilary did not keep her promise to disclose her taxes though 2007. Last year's tax returns are more important, and they choose to not disclose it..Please addess thse issues fairly. If it were Obama, it would be BREAKING NEWS!!

One other thing not related to this article but just as important, I don't understand Americas' double standards. Everyone harped on Senator Obama regarding his former "pastor" "sound bites", and whose words were not Obama's but yet pay such little attention to a
Presidential candidate that blatantly lied, on three different occasion, January February and in March. She lied and vividly describing a scenario that never happened. And she dismisses the lies as "I misspoke”, (What is that anyway?) and "I was sleep deprived" and even worse goes on the Jay Lenos Show and jokes about it. I think that is disgusting. is that the message we want to send to our children? that it is OK to lie? Is that the message we want to send to our young voters, that it is OK to lie and not take responsibility and be accountable, IS THAT WHO WE WANT RUNNING OUR COUNTRY. Is that who we want answering the phone at 3:00AM ??
Whatever happened to our morals? I am ashamed that something so serious is swept under the carpet as a joke!!!

Bonnie Thomas (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:07 PM)

The rewards of the low road are shallow and short- lived. They will never solve America's problems.

America is not pre-ordained to a terminal infliction of the low road.

Could this be the year that the high road becomes the choice of preference in American politics?

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:08 PM)

The media should be pushing this story more. How can you explain that your Chief strategist is discussing with a foreign gov about something you oppose?? sounds like that whole NAFTA thing, which by the way turned out to be false! the Canadian gov confirmed that it wasn't the way the Clinton Camp had portrayed it to be.

Obama '08

Miss (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:08 PM)

Don't forget, by their own account, they also weren't sure if Penn was coming on behalf of his firm, or the Clintons.

Maybe they were annoyed because they thought he was representing the Clintons.

Maybe that's why the President of Columbia "coincidentally" wrote a scathing AP piece about Obama right after Penn's visit.

Ya think?

Sa, Petaluma, CA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:16 PM)

if penn's firm needs money, i'm sure it can borrow some from the clintons. they seem to have plenty of it.

tom, philly (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:17 PM)

Frannie (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:18 PM)

If democracy and human rights are the central issues of Bush's presidency, h'd have been the most hypocritical head of state if he signed the trade agreement with Colombia in 2006, where Hillary and Barack refused to allow free trade trump principles of democracy and human rights.
To permit Colombia to have free trade is to take advantage of America's resources while it misuses its own resources. I'd feel each nation should assume greater role and responsibility for its destiny.

Smith, AZ (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:18 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
What!? Don't the Columbians know that double dipping hypocrisy is the American way?

twocanpete (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:25 PM)

Good comment bonnie.

d syracuse (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:36 PM)

The Clinton campaign said that they "didn't see the conflict." This should be focused on 100X's more than the taxes. Hillary Clinton shredded Barack in Ohio and probably picked up a few percentage points there based on her "outrage" that one of his advisors had said something to the Canadian government. Turns out her statement on that wasn't true either. But even if it were, for her to turn around now and say, "my chief strategist lobbying on his day off in precisely the opposite direction of what I say my position is shouldn't be a big deal," is hypocrisy at it's worst. More of the same from this woman: "I WRITE the rules. I don't LIVE by them."

ME,CA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:43 PM)

"According to Justice Department filings, Colombia agreed last year to pay Burson-Marsteller $300,000 to help "educate members of the U.S. Congress and other audiences" about the trade deal and secure continued U.S. funding for the $5 billion anti-narcotics program Plan Colombia. [CLINTON KNEW THIS BEFORE SHE HIRED HIM AS HER CHIEF STRATIGIST]

Clinton told the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO this week that the United States needs new trade policies before it has new trade deals. "That includes no trade deal with Colombia while violence against trade unionists continues in that country," she said." [MEANWHILE, PENN IS TALKING TRADE DEALS WITH COLOMBIA]

To quote Kipling: "EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN!!EXPLAIN !!!"

WTF is she doing telling the people in PA and the AFL-CIO "no trade deals with Colombia" while her Chief Strategist is trying to cut a deal with Colombia????

You know... Canada did say that it was the Clinton camp who did the wink, wink, nod, nod stuff.... maybe Penn did that one as well, then set it up for Obama to take the fall.

Clinton is such a Turncoat (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:06 PM)

I'm glad the Clintons made over 109 MILLION dollars in 2006. And probably a hell of a lot more in 2007. However, doesn't it seem inherently wrong of her to constantly be out there begging for donations from people who really cannot afford to keep throwing money at her when she has Millions of her own money just sitting around earning interest???? How can she be so concerned about the unemployed working class people in PA when she's asking us to donate MORE to her campaign and she could very well finance it herself?

Josh, PA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:11 PM)

Clinton is such a Turncoat! (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:11 PM)

Last years taxes are not due yet.... perhaps a reading test at the polls. See form 4868.

x (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:15 PM)

Perhaps Hill-Billary can reimburse her "senior campaign" advisor for his loss with some of their loose "petty" cash.

Surely she didn't anticipate that HER LIE about not knowing would hurt his bottom line.

They could both write memoirs about this and with the advance money list it on their tax returns for 2008.

HILLARY CLINTON IS A LIAR. SHE LIES ABOUT EVERYTHING.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/politics/05woman.html?scp=1&sq=clinton%2C+hospital+story%2C+ohio&st=nyt

-------

oh wow.... this is even more pathetic than the bosnia story!! And I've heard her tell this at least a dozen times. OMG... this is just sick. Using the death of a newborn baby as some sort of sales pitch for her healthcare plan.

“We implore the Clinton campaign to immediately desist from repeating this story,” said Rick Castrop, chief executive officer of the O’Bleness Health System.

DISGUSTED (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:16 PM)

Yup, trying to have it two ways alright. Wouldn't it be ironic if he got canned from both places!

Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT CT for Obama (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:23 PM)

....> WHAT DID HILLARY KNOW AND WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT?

Is anyone so naive as to think Hillary was not involved in this Colombian Snake Deal?

....> WHAT DID HILLARY KNOW AND WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT?

------------------------------------------------------

....> WHAT DID HILLARY KNOW AND WHEN DID SHE KNOW IT? (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:37 PM)

Hillary is really becoming an embarassment to this country and the Dem. Party. I don't know which is worse - this fiasco or that pathetic acting job she attempted to pull off at the MLK Memorial.

It is time for the party to unite behind its eventual nominee. The longer this goes on, the worse off we all are.

tonybama, grahamsville, NY (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:39 PM)

I think MSNBC really needs to dig into this. Did you see that the Columbian president made disparaging remarks about Sen. Obama? Please look into this thoroughly.

Renee, GA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:41 PM)

I am in agreement with the frist comment Where is the main media on this story. The trade agreements is part of Hillary's main talking points especially in Penn. I am surprised the Bosnia story got picked up. Had been for u tube the media would have covered it for 5 min. d.b.

dona bee spekin il (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:42 PM)

MARK PENNS COMPANY HAS 63 OFFICES WORLD WIDE.HE REPRESENTS SAUDIA OIL,BLACKWATER,A COMPANY IN CHINA THAT SENT TAINTED TOYS TO AMERICA,CINTAS WHO IS A UNION BUSTING COMPANY AND ON AND ON AND ON. THIS IS GOES AGAINST AMERICAN VALUES.I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CLINTONS WOULD HIRE SUCH A SCUMBAG TO BE PART OF HER CAMPAIGN.

RENEA,PLYMOUTH,MI (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:47 PM)

Colombian Government "Fires" Penn's Firm
------------------------------------------------
Duck, Hillary, duck!!!!! They're firing!!!!!

Baileigh (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:51 PM)

This is a very serious issue. When her chief strategist is doing sth against what she tells the wrold- there must be sth going on.

After Bosnia fiasco- it is tough to believe Clinton campaign .

Pls MSNBC- do sth. CNN is not focusing on it. You are better than CNN.

Vin (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:51 PM)

This is just terrific. As if it wasn't bad enough that Penn's firm was hired to spruce up Blackwater's image. This is the guy she picks to be her chief strategist?

Let's get real. NOBODY besides an incumbent President has the experience to be ready from day one. The most important factor in a successful new presidency is the judgement to surround oneself with the best. This is why the Bush presidency has been such an abject failure. Bush has always surrounded himself and filled every agency with people who are awful, incompetent or both.

Let's all remember that Penn is the type that Hillary looks at and says "That's the kind of person I want on my team. This is the kind of person I'm comfortable with.

No Billary/McSame, Littleton CO (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:16 PM)

I fired Fat Boy Penn months ago...... I think everyone should mentally fire him for his poor performance along with the other liars in the LieBillary campaign.

give it up hillary (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:18 PM)

Gee! Who comes out looking better one this?

The Colombians for firing the firm Penn works for, saying his statement was not enough and that they were the ones dissed or Clinton "I don't see a conflict of interest here."

Uffda! Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Hillary you have been around the light for too long, just like the moth that will get burned.

OBwan, IN (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:20 PM)

So much for the Obama biase of the media! Obviously, we are now seeing the true biase, not reporting anything explosive about HRC's campaign because they are afraid they will be told "you treat HRC so much worse than Obama"......come on guys! Do your job, this should be all over the airwaves at this point it has been two days. Maybe that is the reason those tax returns were put out on a friday! Get with it and do your job, if this was an Obama gaffe you would be all over it. And PA workers need to decide for themselves if HRC really is for the rust belt workers once and for all. I cannot believe this is not on TV right now....

Alisa, CA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:28 PM)

Little by little more and more people are seeing the Clintons for the manipulative, power hungry people they really are and not for the Pretty Words they sometimes muster.

Mark Penn has been in charge of multiple campaigns for the Clintons and any study of his background, his clients and a reading of his book tells you just the kind of person he is. There is a reason Bill and Hillary have turned to him repeatedly.

John, Morgan Hill, California (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:36 PM)

Speaking of judgement. If Mark Penn, Ickes and Ferraro are the kinds of people Hillary will surround herself with if she becomes president, god help us

E. B Kingman, Az. (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:37 PM)

It goes to show how much lying goes on in the Clinton camp and how much they contradicts themselves.Hillary says she's the best person for the presidency but when it comes to apologising to the americans people,she makes excuses with such words as mis-spoke,mis-heard,mis-understood,mis-judgement...well I will add one more for you....mis-took.you mistook the american people for idiots and was hoping you'll be in the white house before they figured it out..when i look at everything so far you and your family don't really care about the people otherwise you all would have been correcting each other when you lies but instead you each add fuel to each other flames of lies.I'm now waiting for the lie you'll be telling about this Mark Penn issue...remember you can't choose your family but you can sure choose your advisers and strategists.Oh ..i believe you Hillary said something like that or within that context.

lenny,Norcoss.Ga (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:42 PM)

I have not heard word one on this from the press on TV, meanwhile a fake report about Canada got a ton of press. Double standard.

nadeem, Canada (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 6:45 PM)

This is disturbing. Was Penn fired because Colombia thought he was speaking for Hillary? Was Hillary aware of this? There are questions here that need to be answered. The Clinton campaigns "There is no conflict of interest" statement is patently absurd. There is, at the very least, a conflict of interest and quite possible something very serious that needs to be investigated.

Sue, Bloomington, IN (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:23 PM)

How will Hillary Huckabee spin this?

Trust me. The Clinton Lying Machine will find a way!

Gerald, Texas (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:23 PM)

Can we cancel our relationship with Mark Penn too ... due to lack of respect for the American People ?

Billary can't - she depends too much on individuals like Mark Penn.

Frank (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:31 PM)

Mark Penn received already $8 Mio from the Clinton campaign for his 'work' .

How does that make you feel as a person who contributed some hard $100 to the Clinton campaign ?

Pure waste, pure opportunism !

Oh, yes ... and Hillary wants to 'run the economy at 3am'. Does not sound like a good plan to me !

Frank (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:33 PM)

Bonnie Thomas (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 4:07 PM
----------------------------------------------------

It will get swept under the rug .... the media will take care of that.

Frank (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:35 PM)

This is a Joke for all you people who have the power in PA....go out and vote...finish this race and send Hillary and BIll back to where ever. I'm so sick of the Clintons it's is time for them to go. GW has insured that no other Bush will sit in the White House...Hillary is LIAR and she gets a damn pass...this is sign that will say and do anything to win......Obama 08

Shane, Baltimore (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:35 PM)

Obama and Clinton have half the support of the Democratic party. One would think that if someone achieved the American dream they would not be bashed. In that case Obama should be bashed for the expensive house he bought and the extra piece of land with Rezko's assistance. He originally lied when he said Rezko did not raise much money for him.

If having money is an issue then Kennedy and others who are backing Obama should give away their wealth. Clinton has many supporters. But, my hunch is that the Democratic party won't need them in November. The "Republicans for a day" will help Obama win the GE just like they are helping him in the primaries.

Pauline, FL (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:39 PM)

Are we the people of the United States suppose to beleive that Penn and the Colombian government did not plan this? Are we suppose to beleive that Penn did not seal everything with Colombia before he made this statement? And are we suppose to beleive that Sen. Clinton did NOT know where/what her Chief campaign strategist was doing???? Are we suppose to beleive that Sen. Clinton can keep track of everything and everyone as president of this great country, but not a few people in her campaign camp?

A New America (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:59 PM)

I was for NAFTA before I was against it, I was for the Iraq war before I was against it, I dodged sniper fire in Bosnia.
Do ya think this is still an honest and truthfull candidate????
Come on Clinton supporters, even you cannot be that niave to just keep following her, then again, maybe you are. There is still time to get on the winning side to defeat McCan't in the fall, and Billary is not it.
Yes we can, Oboma 08

justthinkinoutloud (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:07 PM)

The Columbian government feel dis-respected and they have every right to feel that way. The American people should feel something too: Enough of the Clintons trying to have everything both ways.

Tommy, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:14 PM)

Why is MSNBC NOT COVERING THIS STORY. Clinton recieved the "Colombian Passion Award" from Uribe.
Uribe is a murderer, violator of human rights and climate change. Uribe bashed Obama just last week on his stance against Colombia, yet left Hillary alone, who has the same platform on the Trade issue. Why are you not covering this. Cooncerned voter...for the union workers of America.

Lee Fan (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:16 PM)

Bill Clinton received $15.4 million from Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Investment Company. One of the principle investors in the firm is Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Sultan of Dubai. So Dubai's oil and investment money directly financed part of Bill Clinton's salary:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a8nZhCVrIjvI&refer=home
This begs the question: What EXACTLY did Clinton do for the Sheikh? What sort of "consultation" could be worth $15.3 million?
It seems to me, if Hillary is elected, the presidency will be bought and paid for by Dubai.
Throw in the FACT that Mark Penn met with the Colombians to explore free trade, and it is clear that if Hillary is elected, there will be a lot more than a night in the Lincoln bedroom for sale.

Walt Cincinnati (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:21 PM)

yes lets investigate and also investigate the guy that is running Obamas campaign being the head of the company that snooped into passport gate.He donated big bucks to Obama.Maybe he got caught sniffing into Hillarys passport and ahad to digin Obamas and Mccains as a coverup.Comon obamanoids get on the case.

Nobama-MI (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:27 PM)

To Miss

The NAFTA-Gate is exactly the way the Clinton Camp had portrayed it to be. Do your homework before you comment.

From Canada

beth (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:30 PM)

Walt Cincinnati (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:34 PM)

Apparently the sniper fire happened when Hillary was visiting Colombia to lobby for the free trade agreement.

Ruthie GA (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:34 PM)

"I would ask you to look at that story, substitute my name for Senator Obama," she also said. "If some of my advisers had been having private meetings with foreign governments and basically saying ignore what I'm saying because it's only political rhetoric … I think it raises serious questions."

--
Time to answer them, Senator Clinton.

DVS (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:35 PM)

I'm with you Bonnie!!

I would like to add something about HRC's appearance on Leno's show. I have a son who is military and has done 3 deployments. He and the rest of our military - the boots on the ground - live every day while deployed trying to avoid this "sniper fire" that Clinton seems to think is a joke.

I have lived every day since my son first deployed on my knees praying for my son and all of our brave heroes - I pray for their safety, I pray that the IEDs, Mortars and Snipers don't hit ANY OF THEM.

And she wants to make a joke of this??? I suggest that she go on the front lines and try to avoid this "sniper fire". Then she can make a joke about it, if she feels it is appropriate.

A 50+ female supporting Obama (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:43 PM)

This is the second foreign policy scandal involving Clinton. Do we want to embarrass ourselves daily if she gets to the White House?

Sara, Wisconsin (Sent Saturday, April 05, 2008 8:44 PM)

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