Hillary’s New China Pattern

• It’s OK for President Bill Clinton to approve the export of radiation hardened computer chips to China in 1996.
• According to the New York Times, Bill Clinton removed $2 billion in trade with China from national security scrutiny. Among the results: 77 supercomputers – capable of 13 billion calculations per second – that could scramble and unscramble secret data and design nuclear weapons. These were purchased by the Chinese without a peep stateside. At least some of them would be used by the Chinese military. (Full Story)
• Feb. 12, 1998: As Bill Clinton ponders whether to sign another waiver allowing launch of a Loral satellite aboard a Chinese missile, National Security Adviser Sandy Berger sends him a memo saying the Justice Department `has cautioned that a national interest waiver in this case could have a significant adverse impact on any prosecution [of Loral] that might take place based on a pending investigation of export violation.’ (Congressional Record)
• Hillary Accepts Chinese Immigrants Money- Dishwashers, waiters and others whose jobs and dilapidated home addresses seem to make them unpromising targets for political fundraisers are pouring $1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton’s campaign treasury. In April, a single fundraiser in an area long known for its gritty urban poverty yielded a whopping $380,000. (Full Story)

But Today, Hillary wants President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in China this summer. She said in her press release:

The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership. These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government.

Why the change? Did China change markedly from 1996 when Bill had no problem giving them hi-tech chipsets? I don’t think so. Did the Satellites launched by China show something? Did the checks from the dishwashers bounce? Maybe Hillary just needed to pen something to distract the media from her campaign’s apPENNdectomy namely Mark Penn.

A Posion Penn Letter…

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Mark Penn, the pollster and senior strategist for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential bid, left the campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes.

“After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as chief strategist of the Clinton Campaign,” campaign manager Maggie Williams said in a statement released Sunday. “Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign.”…  It was the second major departure of a Clinton campaign official this year. In February, Patti Solis Doyle stepped down as campaign manager and was replaced by Williams.

The role of a senior strategist is to find ways to help their candidate improve their position with voters not make the news be about themselves.  Mark Penn has had a habit of letting the media spotlight shine on him sometimes more than HRC, and this time, it resulted in a demotion.  Keep in mind, HRC has already paid Penn over $12,000,000 for his services, I’m sure his new position will cut his billing rate, I know we all hope he can survive on that new lower rate.

Remember, Mark Penn is the man behind the women who is behind Barack H. Obama and now he has taken a step back himself.  For the Clinton Campaign, I guess this is considered progress.