HuffPo denied chance to see Crowley sing
Intrepid Huffington Post reporter Arthur Delaney has been kicked out of yet another fundraiser–this time one benefiting Rep. Joe Crowley’s (D-NY) leadership PAC. Crowley was set to sing at the soiree located at the lobbying headquarters of the Recording Industry Association of America.
Before he was shown the door–after he was “outed” by attendees bearing blackberries who looked up Delaney’s experience earlier this week attempting to attend a fundraiser for Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)–Delaney had a chat with several lobbyists:
Several lobbyists introduced themselves, including Lou Constantino of the Managed Funds Association, a hedge funds lobby that has spent $750,000 in lobbying so far this year as part of the industry’s efforts to avert regulation. Patrick Collins said he was there just because he likes Crowley. Law firm Holland & Knight sent at least one intern.
Crowley is known for his rock starish aspirations. You can check him out here on Youtube doing Pink Cadillac:
TweetPARTYFINDER™ Hints
Beneficiary: congressional candidate, lawmaker, or entity which collects funds raised at party
Host: person who is hosting party-often, but not always, a registered federal lobbyist
Venue Name: where the party is
Entertainment Type: type of gathering, such as "breakfast," "ski trip," "bowling"
Other Lawmakers Mentioned: lawmakers mentioned on invitation who are used as a draw for the event
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M said...
I’m a big fan of the Sunlight Foundation and applaud all the work you do in the name of transparency; however, there’s something that seems lacking in Arthur Delaney’s coverage. There’s no depth.
He seems to be supplying his readers over at HuffPo with the names of guests and implying guilt by association, which strikes me as lowest common denominator journalism. If there is some sort of quid pro quo– expose it.
Otherwise, his coverage leaves me feeling sorry for people like Patrick Collins (mentioned above) who might truly like this Congressman for benign reasons.
In our quest for transparency and accountability, does privacy have to be a casualty?
Don’t just give us a list of names, a wink, and a nudge.
Comment posted: Jul 11, 2009 at 12:57 amNancy Watzman said...
Thanks, M, for your comment. One of our goals with Party Time is to let the public in on what is an “open secret” among lobbyist donors–that members of Congress spend untold amounts of time going from fundraiser to fundraiser to fundraiser socializing with big donors. Delaney’s reporting is helping lift the veil on this practice.
Comment posted: Jul 13, 2009 at 2:46 pmLeave a Comment