Thursday, July 19, 2012

Morgan Freeman gives Obama campaign $1 million

The Wall Street Journal reports Mississippi native Morgan Freeman donated $1 million to the Obama campaign:

"Actor Morgan Freeman donated $1 million last month to the super PAC backing President Barack Obama, the group announced Thursday morning.

That accounts for a solid chunk of the $6.1 million Priorities USA Action raised in June. The group, co-founded by former White House aide Bill Burton, has showed some gains in recent months convincing more wealthy donors to support their cause. Democrats, in general, have been less willing than Republicans to fund super PACs, which can accept unlimited donations. The groups are expected to allow Republicans to outspend the party holding the White House this year – no small feat.

“President Obama has done a remarkable job in historically difficult circumstances,” he says. “He ended combat operations in Iraq, put in place sensible reforms of Wall Street, saved the auto industry and protected the health care of every American. He has led our nation to be more tolerant and placed impressive, accomplished women on the Supreme Court. In return, he is the target of hundreds of millions of dollars from right-wing sources. I am proud to lend my voice – and support – to those who defend him. “

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

"The group, co-founded by former White House aide Bill Burton, has showed some gains in recent months convincing more wealthy donors to support their cause."

Probably didn't take much to convince Freeman.

Anonymous said...

a gender confused Fem-O-crat....need i say more

Anonymous said...

Freeman bit the dust for me back when he said, "Reform in Mississippi is hard because the base stock of this state is a mule-headed bunch of farmers."

His 'spin' on BHO is about as impressive as water turning to ice.

Ironghost said...

Someone else to be ashamed of.

LeBeau005 said...

The head of MS Dem. party was bitching and moaning about all the money that Romney raised here in the State last week. I don't believe any of those people, singularly, gave him a million dollars.

Anonymous said...

"A fool and his money is soon parted."

(NOT an old African proverb.)

Burke said...

Ah, me -- so much kneejerk surliness about Morgan Freeman. My Lord, folks, he's a great actor and a gentleman in his private life. He honors us by living among us. He made an impulsive comment that is many shades more mild than what I read here, which got exaggerated out of all proportion because he himself is so extraordinary. Give me a fricking break! Would Rubel Phillips be so snarky? No.

Anonymous said...

gentleman?! do you remember his messy divorce, running around w women and almost killing one in a drunken wreck??

Anonymous said...

Burke, He was/is a good actor. But that and the fact that he is a Mississippian does not make him a good, great, or bad person. He did make a comment - but I don't believe it was impulsive - that seemed to express his real thoughts. Which I will readilly agree he is entitled to. But also I (and others) are just as entitled to think about him "as a person" what we choose. And his handing over this $1million shows us where his beliefs are.

Ricky Cole - other Dems - where is your 'outrage' at the big money people that showed up at RHC with their $2,500 contribution for Romney? Or your outrage at Romney for having made money? Are you just as outraged at Morgan for having made money as an actor, or is that profession forgiven?

bill said...

I imagine Rickey's outrage is that Freeman gave so much money to one candidate instead of giving some of it to the state party so they can try to become relevant again.

Freeman's a good actor whose work I've enjoyed, but just like all the other Hollywood types whose work I've also enjoyed, I don't pay any attention to anything he says or does off the screen.

Anonymous said...

I imagine Rickey's outrage is that Freeman gave so much money to one candidate instead of giving some of it to the state party so they can try to become relevant again.

Even if he wanted to Freeman doesn't possess the money it will take to make the Donkeys relevant again in Mississippi. Besides Morgan doesn't subscribe to throwing good money after bad.

Tell me why the majority black Democratic party in MS continues to chase the tail of their salvation with a white man at their helm?

Shadowfax said...

Morgan Freeman is just one more irrelevant soul who has chosen to flush good money. He's in the same category as Jerry Lewis (I took a crap in the airplane john over Mississippi) and Vince Gill (Mississippi sucks) as far as I'm concerned. He blew more than a million on our last gubernatorial election and look where that got him.

Shawshank ain't real life.

Anonymous said...

As long as he has the money to do it, God bless him. Why is this such a big deal?

KaptKangaroo said...

Morgan is a let down. He was the other night on PBS. It hurts to listen to him. Successful (if you consider his braggadocio of playing Supreme being), failed (as noted above), and still thinking he is superior.

On the other hand, there was an interview with Kid "Dyn-o-mite" that was absolutely AMAZING.

Don't be a Shallowfix and pass by this interview without watching and providing comment. I guarantee you, you will learn things you never knew.

Anonymous said...

Well...Romney's fund raiser was $50000 a couple and tiered down from there.

As a percentage of wealth, that's probably not much different.

It is their right to spend the money they earn however they like. The same is true for Freeman.

I don't understand these personal attacks just because you don't agree with someone else's political choices.

Has he personally injured any of the insulting bloggers above? I doubt it.

I don't like many of the people with whom I agree politically in terms of their life style choices and moral decisions.

Some of you say a lot more about yourselves than you do about Freeman.

KaptKangaroo said...

Didn't personally attack him, I just think he is a dolt, personally. Get over yourself 7:18PM.

Kingfish said...

As far as I'm concerned, he has the right to donate his money to any candidate as he sees fit and its not that big of a deal.

Pete Perrry said...

KF, I agree totally. He can, and should, put his money where his heart is. But likewise, so should all those people that have been demogaged by the local Dems that paid $2,500 to go to Romney's fundraiser at RHC this week.

As I have said before, I am glad that people that have been successful are willing to spend part of it supporting people for office that they agree with. That goes for MF and that also goes for the 300 folks that spent their earned wealth for Romney this week.

The dicotamy is that those at RHC have been demonized for spending a few thousand to support Romeny by the same people that think it is fine and good for the Hollywood elite, or the uber-rich trial lawyers to support Obama or other Dems.

Its the pot-kettle issue that has brought MF into this argument - but MF is by far not the only one of his ilk that fits the bill. Freeman just happened to be a Mississippian that gave his money at the same time that other Mississippians gave a few thousand dollars to support a conservative candidate.

And, BTW, to another commenter on another subject, I know many good conservative Republicans that wouldn't consider me to be a rightwingextremeist. A strong conservative, yes. An opinionated activist, yes. But if they want to consider me more, that's their right as well.

Anonymous said...

Some of you say a lot more about yourselves than you do about Freeman.

Oh, you really told us all off ... anonymous.

KaptKangaroo said...

I think it is wonderful for $1MM to find its way to where ever anyone damn well pleases. I'm of the opine that Morgan has a great sounding voice, however, it's what comes out that I find boorish.

KaptKangaroo said...

Pete,

Why worry about the money and the demonization. Money walks and bullshit talks. In this case, Morgan is talking.

Kapt

Anonymous said...

KF is right : Entertainment "STARS" have the right to support whatever or whomever they wish.
More power to em. They're rich & It's a free country (for now) right ?

However, It's a stupid business move on their part .
Their politics costs them a few fans (translated some money).

But they now have so much money , they don't care.

Thanks' to Shadow for bringing up the Jerry Lewis remark. I never liked Lewis from the start.

Shadow, please elaborate on the Vince Gill comment, Not familiar with that. What did Ole Vince say about us ?

Pete Perry said...

Kapt, as sometimes (often?) turns out the be the case, you and I are in agreement, esp. to the fact that Morgan has a great sounding voice.

Pete

KaptKangaroo said...

Pete,

I'm all for a free society. Do not tread on me.

sometimes, often....I'm thinking "mostly". Not a real word, but it works.

The fact of the matter is, we are at a crux of decision making in the US and Mississippi, everyone here knows it and so do those engaged in political discourse.

We recognize the importance of representation, the need to preserve those ideals, ideas, and discourses important to a free society.

The hang up is, we are losing the battle to institutional government. If we cannot deliver a government that betters our society on all levels, regardless of affiliation, we are lost.

Pete, I think we both agree more than we disagree, I just watched too much PBS this past week. ;)

Anonymous said...

1) Saw the Jimmie Walker interview right after the premiere of a show my goddaughter was associate producer on - I hadn't heard of him in years, and he was great.

2) Vince Gill's mug is plastered on billboards on I-55 for an upcoming casino show - did he realy say "Mississippi sucks"? Potential ticket buyers might like to know more about somebody asking for a bunch of money from them for a ticket before they go.

3) Morgan Freeman does have a great voice, as long as someone else writes his scripts for him. He is obviously part of that evil 1% that is oppressing the working class, and he should be occupied ;-)

Shadowfax said...

I didn't know he was a 'gender confused femocrat'.

Anonymous said...

Since none of you know Mr. Freeman personally, but just disagree with his political position ( so glad most of you recognize his right to support whomever he likes), the insults like " dolt" seem more than a little excessive. ( And, I guess those who think him as a " dolt" don't know of his involvement beyond narrating " Through the Wormhole").

Celebrities also donate to the Republican party and also use their celebrity to support the GOP.

I can't tell that they are any more or less competent to weigh in on political issues than Mr. Freeman.

I think those of you who get so emotionally worked up about someone you have never met and who has done you no personal injury, really need some , at best, maturity. Name calling,making mountains out of molehills, being bullies or gossips is just juvenile behavior.

Reporting the major contributors of a candidate is relevant. So, why is it the GOP controlled Congress has blocked legislation to reveal super PAC contributors and also ( by the way) Cantor exempted spouses and children from The Stock Act...talk about your "loopholes".

Anonymous said...

11:53 -- Vince Gill never said Mississippi sucks. That is just an internet fairy tale. He did, however, say "If I can make Mississippi then I'll be alright" in one of his songs.

You DON"T Know What You Don't Know said...

I think those of you who get so emotionally worked up about someone you have never met and who has done you no personal injury, really need some , at best, maturity. Name calling,making mountains out of molehills, being bullies or gossips is just juvenile behavior.

POT -- KETTLE -- ANONYMOUS

Anonymous said...

WSJ Taranto: Unearned success is the central theme of [Obama's] life story.

The claim that Obama saved GM is fraudulent. What he did was use political muscle to intervene in a bankruptcy process in order to ensure a settlement on terms favorable to his supporters, the United Auto Workers union, at the expense of taxpayers (or "freeloaders," in the president's parlance) and bondholders. It would be more accurately characterized as an act of larceny than salvation.

Anonymous said...

9:13 thanks for the clarification. I had never heard that "internet fairy tale" before, and glad to hear it shot down.

Anonymous said...

CBO: Between 2007 and 2009 ... the incomes of the top one percent fell 18 times more than the incomes for the middle class at the start of the recession.

Raise taxes on all attorneys. They deserve it. They sure as hell didn't achieve their successes all by themselves.

Anonymous said...

1:25pm the rare attorney might luck into a tort case he can win on his own, but most of the lawyers making the big bucks have legal secretaries or paralegals or associates and a wife at home cooking their meals and making sure they have clean underwear.

Anonymous said...

9:14 am, you apparently have trouble with the difference between describing behavior and emotionally reacting to behavior.

There is a difference in explaining why you think Mr. Freeman made a bad decision or saying that his donation shouldn't influence others and calling him names and dredging up unrelated past behaviors.

Calling the person a "dolt", a " fool",an " irrelevant soul", " gender confused", bringing up " womanizing" ( both parties would have trouble raising money if womanizers couldn't donate)and that " not an old African proverb" was clearly a racist remark.

Subtleties may be difficult for you,9:14am but it's the failure to know the difference between describing behaviors you don't like and making ridiculous public personal attacks that make Mississippians look foolish to others.

Morgan Freeman has invested in our state and I , for one, think it would be foolish to suggest to him his contributions to this State are so unappreciated that people in this state would attack him personally for exercising his Constitutional rights.

Anonymous said...

July 21, 2012 9:37 AM

Put a sock in it.

Anonymous said...

11:53 -- Vince Gill never said Mississippi sucks. That is just an internet fairy tale. He did, however, say "If I can make Mississippi then I'll be alright" in one of his songs.
----------------------------------
Thank you. And, it was
Johnny Carson who made the remark about Mississippi and the airplane bathroom waste dumping over our state. Carson attended Milsaps briefly, and hated Mississippi. Fine with me, I never thought much of him, either, and thought he was overrated.

About Freeman, I have enjoyed his movies, but think he is donating money for Obama's reelection without thinking about the plight this country is presently in. I'm surprised Freeman has the money to donate, since I thought he bankrolled his business partner who ran for Governor.

Vince Gill is a great singer, and has sung some great songs. I can't see him bashing MS. Thanks for clearing that up.

Anonymous said...

Vince Gill didn't say that about Mississippi, thank you for clarifying that. Also, Johnny Carson was the one who said that about the plane dumping their bathroom waste over the State of Mississippi. Carson hated Mississippi, and I never saw what people saw in HIM.

Anonymous said...

5:39pm I appreciate your remarks.
You are a good example for 9:14 / 11:02 am and I expect they are one and the same.

11:02am " put a sock in it" is something a 5 year old says. Grownups learn how to disagree without being disagreeable .

You might silence others by being the loudest, rudest voice in the room, but you shouldn't take their silence for agreement. They simply have decided it's a waste of time to deal with you.

I , however, am kind enough to think perhaps no one cared enough about you to teach you better manners or explain the difference between a child and an adult other than size.

Pugnacious said...

For the record:

It was Jerry Lewis( on the Johnny Carson Show) that said he always took a dump while flying commercial over Mississippi.

"Scat schtick" was Jerry Lewis' forte. Dean Martin was smart enough to "dump" him. Lewis' following "apology" weeks later was worse than the "scat" comment.

Jerry Lewis was able to "woo" the French audiences, though.

Anonymous said...

In fact Vince Gill certainly DID announce 'Mississippi Sucks'. Radio stations came to his defense by stating he had apologized. But, he's never been back to this state since his remark as he departed the Coliseum Ten years ago.



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