Clinton “Power” Donor Accused of Offering Superdelegate $1 Million for their Vote

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The Huffington Post is reporting a tale of attempted bribery involving a wealthy Clinton donor and a undecided “superdelegate.” Apparently one of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s top financial supporters offered $1 million to the Young Democrats of America during a phone conversation, a high-ranking official with the YDA told The Huffington Post.

Here is a excerpt from the report via the Huffington Post:

Haim Saban, the billionaire entertainment magnate and longtime Clinton supporter, denied the allegation. But four independent sources said that just before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, Saban called YDA President David Hardt and offered what was perceived as a lucrative proposal: $1 million would be made available for the group if Hardt and the organization’s other uncommitted superdelegate backed Clinton.

Contacted about the report, Saban, initially very friendly, became curt. “Not true,” he said, “it’s simply not true.” He declined to elaborate. Did he talk to the YDA superdelegate? “I talk to many, many superdelegates. Some I don’t even remember their names.” Did he propose any financial transaction? “I have never offered them or anybody any money” in exchange for support or a vote, he said. The Clinton campaign did not return a request for comment.

Members of the Young Democrats agonized about the potential fallout of Saban’s call; his financial offer represented one-third of the group’s 2008 budget. Democratic officials and fundraisers were consulted about how to respond, and at times the discussions were “emotional,” one participant said. “It is scary for them, Haim is very powerful, he has great influence over donors who give to them.”

Nevertheless, the YDA declined the business proposition, on the grounds of moral reservations as well as the overwhelming consensus of its members to back Sen. Barack Obama, this according to a Young Democrats of America official.

In a unrelated yet interesting sidenote to this story, Haim Saban, the man who is being accused with the offering the $1 million dollar bribe is no stranger to controversial actions when it comes to the current primary.

Mr. Saban was part of the group comprised of big wig fund raisers and donors of Hillary Clinton who sent a threatening letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, chastising her for publicly saying that the super-delegates should support the winner of the pledged delegate count and demanding that she say that they should make an independent” choice.

Moreover, Haim Saban’s background also gives rise to some questions regarding just what the true intentions are behind his donations and attempts at back room decision making in general. Not to mention why he is dead set on Hillary’s success, so much as too threaten the speaker of the house, and attempt to bribe superdelegates:

Haim Saban is a television and media proprietor. With an estimated current net worth of around $3.4 billion, he is ranked by Forbes as the 102nd richest person in America. Saban and his family, along with much of the Egyptian Jewish community, fled Egypt for Israel after the 1956 Suez War. He currently resides in Beverly Hills, California, and in Israel. Saban summarized his politics in a 2004 New York Times interview with the statement, “I’m a one-issue guy and my issue is Israel.” Saban was a heavy donor to the 2006 Lieberman campaign as well.

Whenever I see Lieberman on the list of politicians a specific donor gave big bucks too I immediately am curious as to what their ulterior motives may be in regards to pushing a certain agenda, or foreign policy platform. And clearly you can see here, in his Saban’s own words, “I’m a one issue guy and my issue is Israel,” there is reason to believe he is confident enough, whether he was promised or given a *wink and nudge* regarding a policy, plan, legislation, or whatever it may be he wanted in return for his investment is quite a fair question to put out there.

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