CFTA Loves the Clintons

Bill Clinton Was Paid $800K By Colombia-Based Gold Service International for Speeches in Which He Expressed Support For The Colombian Free Trade Agreement. “In June 2005, Clinton was paid $800,000 by the Colombia-based Gold Service International to give four speeches throughout Latin America. The organization is, ostensibly, a development group tasked with bringing investment to the country and educating world leaders about the Colombia’s business opportunities. The group’s chief operating officer, Andres Franco, said in an interview that the group supports the congressional ratification of the free trade agreement and that, when Clinton was on his speaking tour, he expressed similar opinions.” [Huffington Post, 4/8/08]

Clinton Refuses to Dismiss, and Continues to Receive the Counsel of Mark Penn whose Firm Lobbied for the Colombian Government and CFTA. Penn said on a conference call with Burson Marsteller, “I think you’ve heard that I made the decision to step down as chief strategist of the Clinton campaign. Penn Schoen and Berland is going to continue to poll for it and I’ll continue to play a role advising Senator Clinton and former President Clinton as well as the rest of the leadership of the campaign,” he said. Later, he added: “The title, the position of chief strategist tended to be one that drew a tremendous amount of attention. And, number two, yes, I will have more time. We will continue - Penn and Schoen will continue to do the polling and I will be advising.” [Huffington Post, 4/7/08]