TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY POLITICAL CHATTER CLAIMS FREEDOM INC. ENDORSEMENT COST JIM ROWLAND $50K WORTH OF FUNDRAISING COOPERATION!!!
Throughout this week word most commonly used to describe the Freedom Inc. candidate screenings has been "broken" and the term has been thrown around by more than a few influential people.
Obviously, a powerful political concern for addressing the issues facing the African-American community is important. I always take criticism against Freedom Inc. with a grain of salt because the importance of a political voice for people of color outweighs most petty bourgeois political chatter.
Still . . . It's important to note that candidates left the screenings frustrated and the aftermath has been exceedingly hostile to this political powerhouse.
More than anything else, the endorsement of Jim Rowland for Mayor by Freedom Inc. has raised questions.
TKC is here to address some of the speculation. Natch.
There is chatter that Jim Rowland's campaign "paid" Freedom Inc. $50k for the endorsement.
That's Incorrect.
Actually . . .
OFF THE RECORD SOURCES HAVE CONFIRMED THAT JIM ROWLAND'S CAMPAIGN ENGAGED IN A BIG MONEY FUNDRAISING COOPERATION DEAL WITH FREEDOM INC WORTH AROUND $50K!!!
The difference is huge. (Not really)
Kansas City's own Jason Kander changed the game for PACs like Freedom and nowadays they aren't allowed to just get a check from a candidate or a campaign committee straight out . . . Still, candidates who were spurned are still upset that some folks from the group just ask for money outright.
There's a bit of subtly involved.
Anyhoo . . . When I called to confirm this detail with the Rowland campaign, they were nice and informative but wanted to obfuscate the issue with talk of the New Missouri Ethics rules.
LUCKILY . . . There's a neat little online tutorial regarding The Missouri Kander Ethics bill (SB844)
Also, some of the MOST AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS have taken time to patiently school this humble blogger on what it really means . . .
Accordingly . . .
NO. Jim Rowland's campaign didn't cut a check to Freedom Inc.
INSTEAD . . . Sources confirm that Rowland agreed to help raise funds (somewhere around $50k) for Freedom and thereby comply with new Missouri Ethics rules.
FOLKS WHO CLAIM THAT NEW ETHICS RULES WILL TAKE AWAY THE POWER OF GROUPS LIKE FREEDOM INC. ARE JUST PLAIN WRONG!!! IN FACT, DIRECT FUNDRAISING COOPERATION WITH CANDIDATES MAKES FREEDOM INC. EVEN MORE POWERFUL!!!
On the other hand, the mere suggestion of pay for play turns off neophyte political denizens. Make no mistake, Kansas City politics is all about special interests and with this move, despite so many mistakes in the past, it's clear that Freedom Inc. will remain a player in local politics.
In fact, if they make the right decision in the 3rd In-District Race then there's a credible claim that they have been able to use this election to increase their standing.
Developing . . .
sheet.
ReplyDeleteEven more reason for me to vote for Sly. Obviously he had no interest in "buying" Freedom's support. Good for him. Freedom is irrelevant nowadays anyways.
ReplyDeleteTKC you are wrong. Pat Gray who is Rowland's handler also is doing the E-Tax. So he hires Gayle Holiday as a consultant pays her $75,000 for the endorsement and she in turn makes a $50,000 donation to Freedom. The donation in turn never shows up on Rowland's declosures and he does nt have to use his money to pay Freedom.
ReplyDeleteKc doesnt need another Glo-ioso in the mayors office.
ReplyDeleteIt was Freedom who sold out. It isn't about money for your organization, its about what is best for the community.
ReplyDeleteHow is receiving this money a greater good than endorsing Mr. James?
Your sentence where Rowland has to ask people to contribute to Freedom is exactly right. Having said that no one in town wants to write a check to Freedom, Inc.
ReplyDeleteI just love to read about the inner workings of all the corrupt Democratic groups.
ReplyDeleteDemocrats are fucking morons.
ReplyDeletetrue dat.
ReplyDeletePlease take a ride through the east side and then again tell me how all the organizations like Freedom, all the dud not-for-profits, all the revs, and all the elected officials there have "contributed" to the black neighborhoods and community.
ReplyDeleteMillions of dollars have simply disappeared amid the posturing and name-calling. And until recently, it was even worse in the school district.
All this shows is that endorsements are bought and that Rowland knows how to manipulate the system. I'm not sure either of those accomplishments make him much of a candidate.
In the last school board election, the turnout east of Troost was 4%. If I were the candidates, I'd be focusing on the 96% of the voters who don't give two cents for who buys Freedom's endorsement, but are looking for someone who might actually try to represent their interests, at long last.
ReplyDeleteFreedom's still stuck in the 60s with the rest of the old-time crowd. Extort the candidates and fill the paper sacks with cash.
What a joke!
If I voted in KC, Mssr Rowlands would now be at the BOTTOM of my LIST.
ReplyDeleteJust scrape the burnt crust off him. He's WAY overdone!!
And as to Freedom? Organization non grata!
Tell me, Tee. Are the big latino organizations like this too? And the big Chamber types... do they also shake down candidates? Endorse in return for city contracts? Tony, you should have been MUCH more harsh on this story!
So the mayor doesn't have a business license and this guy here is playing a shell game with Freedom.
I'm tellin ya. KCMO STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN! Vote NO on the eTAX!
Vote against the E-Tax it is killing KCMO!!!!
ReplyDeleteFreedom is so full of shit, they endorsed Circo because Mahlon did not what to play thier little games. They asked him how much he had in endorsements. It's all about money with these ass holes.
ReplyDeleteWe need City Council members that is against the E-Tax.
ReplyDeleteMahlon Davis over Circo in the 5Th Distrcit race.
ReplyDeleteMahlondavishereforthepeople.com
Just wondering... are the people who are going to run and fund the pro eTax campaign all people who make their livings getting big city building contracts? Buildings, electrical, skilled craftsmen working for contractors? Road and bridge building firms?
ReplyDeleteSo is what's going to happen is that they take some profits they made by overcharging the taxpayers to convince the taxpayers to keep paying the money into their pockets?
Is this how that works? Seems that would make Freedom's little shell game for a mayor bribe small by comparison!
So Kander's law drove campaign fundraising even further underground by making it illegal to transfer reported funds through registered committees, while encouraging off the books fundraising cooperation.
ReplyDeleteBRILLIANT!
Way to go Genius Jason - you stupid fuck-stick.
I think I am gonna vote for Sly.
ReplyDeleteSo far he seems honest and forthright.
Jeeze, do we need some new guys at City Hall.
There is so much shit (Like Port Authority 9 mill payout to the, oh yeah, PORT AUTHORITY LAWYER.), we will never see goin on behind the curtain...
Chuck - Sly's made his living from suing the City in personal injury. I don't think that's a great thing either. He may be making an honest living, but it's been at the payout of the taxpaying citizens and he seems to be doing pretty well. And the e-tax that everyone else is whining about - great, vote against it. Pay your own trash pick up for a while, and your own snow plowing (no matter what you think of City plowing - it IS done), and forget about any projects being done because we won't qualify for bonds. Smart move. I happily pay the e-tax because I want services.
ReplyDeleteChuck - Sly's made his living from suing the City in personal injury. I don't think that's a great thing either. He may be making an honest living, but it's been at the payout of the taxpaying citizens and he seems to be doing pretty well. And the e-tax that everyone else is whining about - great, vote against it. Pay your own trash pick up for a while, and your own snow plowing (no matter what you think of City plowing - it IS done), and forget about any projects being done because we won't qualify for bonds. Smart move. I happily pay the e-tax because I want services.
ReplyDeleteSly has more education than Deb. And his conduct as a lawyer has been exceptional.
ReplyDeleteWonder of the Supreme Court carte blanche to corporations makes some rules unconstitutional?
ReplyDeleteI wish a mayor or council candidate would answer this. Why is it for the past several fiscal years on May 1st the city has laid off hundreds of city employees with 10, 15, even 20 years of experience, yet come September through March they hire hundreds of new people from the outside? They should not hire one person from the outside as long as they continue with layoffs.
ReplyDeleteReally?
ReplyDeleteJeeze.
Were the suits "nuisance" suits, or are we talking noble "Civil Action" stuff.
Hot coffee in a lap stuff???
Sly went to college and Deb did not. We should vote for Deb!
ReplyDeleteChuck, I have seen this before, but no one has given any particulars.
ReplyDelete