Norman Hsu -- big-time Democratic fundraiser, acquaintance and donor of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and numerous other major Democrats, convicted criminal and (until recently) fugitive, certainly spread his money (from unknown sources) around. While the big bucks went to the big boys, Hsu didn't overlook the little people -- including $5,000 to the New Hampshire Senate Democratic Caucus and $2,000 to Governor Lynch.
Other New England beneficiaries of Hsu's largess include Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Chivas), $38,000; Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), $19,100; the Rhode Island Democratic Party, $11,000; Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), $7,500; Senator John Kerry (D-MA), $6,350; Representative Tom Allen, D-ME, $2,500; Governor John Destefano of CT, $2,500; Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI),$2,000; and State Treasurer Tim Cahill of Massachusetts, $1,000.
Officials representing the Caucus and Governor Lynch say they'll be giving the money to charity.
A few thoughts come to mind:
1) Every time one of these scandals break, the politicians involved practically stampede each other to give away the tainted money to various and sundry charities. Has anyone ever considered the possibility that some charity might be engineering these scandals, just to boost their revenues?
2) I'm lousy at foreign languages. Could "Hsu" be Chinese for "Abramoff?"
3) This is purely speculative, but if it turns out that the real source of Hsu's money (which is, presently, very unclear) is the Communist Chinese government, attempting to sway American politics, just what would be the ramifications? And what does it say that the Communist Chinese are apparently willing to sink all their resources into swaying only the Democratic party?
4) Hillary Clinton is supposed to be the most intelligent, most savvy, most resourceful, most cunning, most professional member of the Democratic pack. Just what the hell does it say that she's let herself be so closely tied with this flim-flam artist?
5) (Someone else had this thought, but I've forgotten where I picked it up) Hillary Clinton still enjoys Secret Service protection -- yet met with Hsu, a fugitive, on several occasions. Did the Secret Service not pick up on this odd little fact, or were they ordered by the Clinton apparatchiks to overlook the matter?
I fear that my questions will never be answered. This story will, most likely, swept aside for far more pressing issues -- like some Senator allegedly looking for a Lewinsky in an airport men's room.
Comments (98)
It appears Hillary doesn't ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by DJ Drummond | September 2, 2007 12:30 PM | Score: 6 (10 votes cast)
It appears Hillary doesn't read up on current events. China is not exactly popular with the average America, what with lead paint and loose magnets in their products, and a very poor reord of observing trademarks and patents.
One wonders why it did not occur to Hillary that unlike 1996, connection to a crook from China in 2007 would be seen as even more disgusting to people, not some trivial detail.
Obama may be a brainless dolt, but even he understands that to win Chicago and New York and Blue-Collar America, you's better look like they do.
1. Posted by DJ Drummond | September 2, 2007 12:30 PM |
Score: 6 (10 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 12:30
2. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 12:39 PM | Score: 5 (9 votes cast)
How far will this go? Here's a hint...
The San Jose Mercury News practically never HEARD of Hsu, or ANY of this scandal!
And why should they? (apart from supposedly being a "news" organization)
hmmm...let's see...
- Hsu surrendered at the end of the week in San Mateo (12 miles from the San Jose Mercury "News" office)
- the Paws turned $45,000 income into $200,000 in donations in Daly City (19 miles from the Murky "News" offices)
- Hsu was a fugitive from California "justice" for a decade!
and so on.
The SJ Mercury "News", carrying the Dimocrats water so they don't hvae to!
2. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 12:39 PM |
Score: 5 (9 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 12:39
3. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 12:47 PM | Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Justrand,
add to that, go to the Mercury's search, do a "Hsu" and the first article that pops up?
An article on Craig.
But there's this, at the end of that article:
Despite Craig's decision to leave the Senate, Democratic Senate campaign chief Charles Schumer, of New York, sought to keep the corruption issue alive. He accused Republicans of failing to support ethics reform when they were in the majority.
"What the American people are looking for is not a blame game, but who is trying to clean it up," Schumer said. "For six years, there was no ethics reform."
The New York senator defended Democratic actions in a new fundraising scandal. A party fundraiser, Norman Hsu, had been a fugitive since failing to appear for a 1992 sentencing.
Hsu, who had pleaded no contest in 1991 to grand theft, turned himself in Friday in California. He raised money for Democratic presidential contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
"We've already given money back," Schumer said. "Nobody knew he was a fugitive. When we found out something is wrong, we returned the money."
I guess if the Merc's gonna' carry the DNC water, it's only fitting that Schumer supply them a comfortable handle.
3. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 12:47 PM |
Score: 7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 12:47
4. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:09 PM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Lemme see now, what Democratic Presidential candidate didn't get any money from Hsu?
=================================
4. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:09 PM |
Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:09
5. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:18 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Another question is why is Craig's story on the top of Google news, while there isn't one story on Hsu, anywhere on that page?
5. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:18 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:18
6. Posted by mantis | September 2, 2007 1:24 PM | Score: -12 (14 votes cast)
I see your idiocy regarding China continues unabated. Hsu never lived in "Communist China," Jay. He was born in British Hong Kong, moved to the U.S. at 18, became a citizen in the 80s, and hid out in British Hong Kong from 1992 - 1996 (Hong Kong went back to the Chinese in 1997). As far as I have read there is absolutely no connection between Hsu and mainland China, let alone the Chinese government.
But don't let reality get in the way of a good conspirac--er, speculation.
6. Posted by mantis | September 2, 2007 1:24 PM |
Score: -12 (14 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:24
7. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:27 PM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Actually, looking through ABC, CBS and NBC ... NO mentions of Hsu on any front pages, at all. On NBC, if you go to Politics, you'll see a deluge of Craig links, and way down at the bottom, you'll see:
"Democrats turn from big donor who's fugitive"
CNN has it buried, as well.
Any one need ANY further proof of a liberal bias in the media?
Any one?
Buehler?
7. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:27 PM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:27
8. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:28 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
mantis, as Clarice says, this may be money from illegal immigrants in sweat shops, or they may just want us to think that. Right now, only Hsu knows. If history is a guide; oh wait, 1996 is ancient.
Clinton selling out to the Chinese, Kennedy salaaming to Saddam. Do you see why a Senator with a little stink about him is now ancient history?
=======================
8. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:28 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:28
9. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:30 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
If Doug in Upland on Free Republic is credible, the FBI now has a criminal referral on Hillary about fundraising.
=================
9. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:30 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:30
10. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:34 PM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Actually, it's not just Hillary. This guy gave to the whole Democratic Party and if the money is from the Government, or its agents, this is one of the memes for the election. Is it any wonder Schumer attempts to pre-empt and MSM neither sees, nor hears, and certainly doesn't speak evil?
The Dems are hoping that if they all chill, so will the story.
Trouble is folks, this story is really evil.
======================================
10. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:34 PM |
Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:34
11. Posted by OLDPUPPYMAX | September 2, 2007 1:34 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Yeah, for cryin' out loud Jay. Pretty soon you'll be making the ridiculous claim that an American president would provide the red chinese with, oh, say missile technology for campaign contributions. Or that criminals like the hero of this story might actually buy pardons by contributing to something perfectly innocent---like a library. What ridiculous notions. So please stop allowing facts to get in the way of BDS or Clinton worship.
11. Posted by OLDPUPPYMAX | September 2, 2007 1:34 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:34
12. Posted by mantis | September 2, 2007 1:34 PM | Score: -3 (5 votes cast)
Think of it another way, yo. If Craig had some shady campaign donations revealed, and Clinton were involved in a sex scandal (a homosexual sex scandal, no less!), who do you think the media would focus on? Be honest.
Btw, the Hsu story shows up on the Google U.S. News page, and is being extensively covered by many so-called "liberal" news outlets.
12. Posted by mantis | September 2, 2007 1:34 PM |
Score: -3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:34
13. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:37 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
It's not just hypocrisy, folks, it's traitorous hypocrisy, most rhapsodically illustrated by this 21st Century Democratic Party.
Step back, thinkers and fellow hypocrites. We need a two or more party system.
===========================
13. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:37 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:37
14. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:38 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Oh, now .. mantis, you're better than that.
Jay never said Hsu lived in China. And, even the conspiracy part is framed in a "what if" kinda' thing.
If you've got proof to the contrary, though, I'm sure we'd all like to see it.
14. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:38 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:38
15. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:39 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Or think of it this way, mantis. One whole major party is happy to sell out to our opponents and the other has a tortured closet dweller. Look at the scale, you who claim objectivity.
===============================
15. Posted by kim | September 2, 2007 1:39 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:39
16. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:47 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
mantis, I didn't say the MSM wasn't covering it, but that they keeping a dead story afloat while trying to sink a live one.
Craig resigned. Done and done. We can discuss the aftermath, sure, but is there any pressing news coming from this?
Hsu money. A HOT topic that could rankle the pillars of the DNC, but you need to know what you're looking for to find it.
Joe Six Pack will glance at the front pages and see Craig, then (like in your google link), a story of Florida's primary, Gonzales' resignation fall-out, Duncan Hunter, Warner retiring, and then a story on how the NJ Dem party rejects Hsu's money.
And it's not just on Google. It's everywhere (or, nowhere, depending on how you look at it).
Doesn't that seem a wee bit slanted?
16. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 1:47 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 13:47
17. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 2:03 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
the sheer magnitude of the MSM's LACK of coverage of this is staggering!
Only the LA Times still gets high marks for running WITH the story!
The rest of the MSM is running AWAY from the story!
17. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 2:03 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 14:03
18. Posted by Paul Hooson | September 2, 2007 2:17 PM | Score: -2 (4 votes cast)
I was very surprised to learn that the practice of "bundling"(one donor distributing donations under the names of other donors) is not specifically banned under federal election law or illegal so far, but in my view, certainly should be.
It appears that Clinton only is giving the money to charity because of the fugitive from justice status of Hsu, and not that of his possible distribution of funds using the names of a mailman with modest means or any other means of distribution of his donations involving the "bundling" of the funds.
If Hsu made extensive use of the "bundling" practice, then it would be very difficult for any campaign to establish if donations from Hsu were concealed under many other names. No campaign really has the detective resources to fully investigate the source of all funds it receives. But blogs will likely bring out news of questionable donations by both parties all year long that have much more time to research the papertrail of donations because it makes for great attention to a blog and higher traffic.
18. Posted by Paul Hooson | September 2, 2007 2:17 PM |
Score: -2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 14:17
19. Posted by 914 | September 2, 2007 2:45 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
$39,000 FOR uncle Teddy? that's barely enough to cover His yearly bar tab..
What a buncha stinkin corrupt greedy pig's.
19. Posted by 914 | September 2, 2007 2:45 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 14:45
20. Posted by Ryan | September 2, 2007 2:48 PM | Score: -6 (8 votes cast)
I'm lousy at foreign languages. Could "Hsu" be Chinese for "Abramoff?"
I did some looking around, and as far as I can tell, there's no evidence whatsoever that Hsu was using this money to buy votes or otherwise bribe congressmen, like Abramoff clearly did. It seems like he just wants to contribute to Democratic Party victories. As far as him being a "fugitive" he's been living a public life for the last 15 years, it doesn't appear that he was trying to hard to hide from anything. I got a speeding ticket once years ago when I was passing through Wyoming, that I never took care of. I guess I'm a "fugitive" from Wyoming justice.
20. Posted by Ryan | September 2, 2007 2:48 PM |
Score: -6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 14:48
21. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 2:57 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Ryan: "I did some looking around, and as far as I can tell, there's no evidence whatsoever that Hsu was using this money to buy votes or otherwise bribe congressmen, like Abramoff clearly did. It seems like he just wants to contribute to Democratic Party victories."
"I did some looking around"???
Where...in your closet?...under your Mom's bed??
Sweet Jesus!!
Yes, Abramoff was buying votes. This guy was buying the INFLUENCE. INFLUENCE of every damn Democrat he could find. With money that is still of "unknown origon"...funneled through accomplices around the country.
and as for your "fugitive" status from Wyoming...unless it was a FEDERAL FELONY you were "speeding" away from, you are not in this guys league. Though apparently willing to be IN LEAGUE with him!
That word you sped by, that is now in your rear-view mirror? "PATHETIC"
21. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 2:57 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 14:57
22. Posted by Jumpinjoe | September 2, 2007 3:10 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
It seems like he just wants to contribute to Democratic Party victories.... Posted by Ryan
And there you have it folks, the lefty talking points have been distributed and made their way here.
I guess you didn't try very hard and limited your "looking around" to the "progressive" side of the inter-web-net.
I did some digging too.
I found this.
UPDATE II: Gateway Pundit noticed that Hsu's name came up in the 1996 campaign finance scandal involving Charlie Trie and connections to China. It's tangential -- Hsu's name comes up in relation to a donation made to "Friends of Norman Hsu" by Sioeng San Wong. Even tangential, it connects the two scandals, and it could explain the FBI's interest in the case. Good work by Gateway Pundit in digging this one out.
22. Posted by Jumpinjoe | September 2, 2007 3:10 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 15:10
23. Posted by John in CA | September 2, 2007 3:24 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
23. Posted by John in CA | September 2, 2007 3:24 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 15:24
24. Posted by Jumpinjoe | September 2, 2007 3:26 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
As far as him being a "fugitive" he's been living a public life for the last 15 years, it doesn't appear that he was trying to hard to hide from anything.... Posted by Ryan
One mistake you made in this comment.
Should have read........ it doesn't appear that he was trying to hard to hide from anything "after fleeing the country."
In February 1992 Hsu plead no contest to one count of grand theft and agreed to serve up to three years in prison and pay a $10,000 fine. Hsu subsequently failed to appear at the sentencing hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Hsu fled to Hong Kong and lived there from 1992 to 1996 while working in the garment industry.
Of course his fake business addresses and home addresses are no indicator either.
24. Posted by Jumpinjoe | September 2, 2007 3:26 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 15:26
25. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 3:58 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
the Left and their partners the MSM are hoping they can ignore this over a long weekend, and then focus on Britney Spears for a few days!
I pray that for once the Republicans will NOT let this die. And not just for partisan reasons. The smell of Chinese influence in Democrat politics has been there for quite some time. It's time to turn the rock over and see what causing the stink!!
Although, Ryan has already assured us there's NOTHING TO SEE HERE...PLEASE MOVE ALONG FOLKS!
25. Posted by Justrand | September 2, 2007 3:58 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 15:58
26. Posted by SPQR | September 2, 2007 4:18 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Hsu is clearly doing some influence peddling - the only mystery is for who.
It is indeed a good question why the Secret Service was not doing background checks on Hsu or if they were, why they ignored his fugitive status. But the Clinton's appear to have a history of corrupting the Secret Service. Its not the first time that suspicious characters have gotten past them to meet the Clintons.
26. Posted by SPQR | September 2, 2007 4:18 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 16:18
27. Posted by jp2 | September 2, 2007 4:59 PM | Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
"2) I'm lousy at foreign languages. Could "Hsu" be Chinese for "Abramoff?""
lol
This is a cry for help, methinks.
27. Posted by jp2 | September 2, 2007 4:59 PM |
Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 16:59
28. Posted by Rance | September 2, 2007 5:14 PM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
"Another question is why is Craig's story on the top of Google news, while there isn't one story on Hsu, anywhere on that page?"
This is America, land of sexual repression.
Craig's story is about sex.
Headlines about campaign contributions are dull.
However, if Anna Nicole Smith or Leona Helmsley's dog had been caught making questionable donations, then it would be front page news.
28. Posted by Rance | September 2, 2007 5:14 PM |
Score: -2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 17:14
29. Posted by HughS | September 2, 2007 5:19 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Hillary Clinton still enjoys Secret Service protection -- yet met with Hsu, a fugitive, on several occasions. Did the Secret Service not pick up on this odd little fact.....Jay, the FBI may be looking at that also.
This Hsu nami has a choreographed look: It's spilled during the Craig fiasco (kim made this suggestion), he surrenders on Labor Day weekend (the traditional "holiday weekend", when the scoundrels purge their tanks) and makes $2,000,000 cash bail. Hmmmm
29. Posted by HughS | September 2, 2007 5:19 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 17:19
30. Posted by BarneyG2000 | September 2, 2007 5:37 PM | Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
".. the Communist Chinese government, attempting to sway American politics.."
God knows the Bush controlled FDA has really cracked down on poison laced products coming from China.
30. Posted by BarneyG2000 | September 2, 2007 5:37 PM |
Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 17:37
31. Posted by BarneyG2000 | September 2, 2007 5:47 PM | Score: -7 (7 votes cast)
The Sunday morning shows talked about Hsu and Craig. The best was Meet the Press. Bob Shrum had some great lines on the Craig debacle such as:
"..there was a wide stance in terms of his hypocrisy.."
And (on the GOP):
"..the ultimate result of this is the Craig's list of social issues--bashing gays.."
And:
"..people are going to laugh if these wonderful family values candidates like Giuliani and Thompson get up there and start talking about these issues."
Matalin got so frustrated at Shrum she threw her pen at him. Class act all the way.
31. Posted by BarneyG2000 | September 2, 2007 5:47 PM |
Score: -7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 17:47
32. Posted by Upset Old Guy | September 2, 2007 6:05 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
#30 & 31
Looks like ol' Barney is doing everything he can think of to change the subject.
What a putz!
32. Posted by Upset Old Guy | September 2, 2007 6:05 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 18:05
33. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 6:06 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
... and how does that have anything to do with the thread, BG? Passing mention of Hsu doesn't quite cut it.
Besides, people are going to start laughing at the Dems when they get up there and talk about how they're going to root out corruption.
Oh wait .. people already are.
33. Posted by yo | September 2, 2007 6:06 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 18:06
34. Posted by John in CA | September 2, 2007 6:09 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
And if I was a candidate, Shrum would be right at the top of my list of whom I would seek advice from. What is his record of success again?
Oh,yeah. He has none.
So, he might have a lot of advice and opinions, but evidently none of them matter in the big scheme of things. Which makes him a perfect democratic talking head for the Sunday morning talk shows.
34. Posted by John in CA | September 2, 2007 6:09 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 18:09
35. Posted by John in CA | September 2, 2007 6:13 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
In BaghdadBarney's world, that's a malaprop that's known as "changing the tread".
35. Posted by John in CA | September 2, 2007 6:13 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 18:13
36. Posted by jhow66 | September 2, 2007 6:29 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
jp2 is getting scared, methinks.
36. Posted by jhow66 | September 2, 2007 6:29 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 2, 2007 18:29
37. Posted by