Clark to Speak at Dems’ Dinner
Retired General Wesley Clark will be the speaker for the state Democrats’ Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at the Sheraton in Birmingham, November 30.
Some Democrats in the state have opined that state party chair Joe Turnham has jumped on the Hillary train in a big way. Months ago, one Democrat told me there was no way that the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner this fall would have a guest from any campaign but Hillary Clinton’s, that Turnham would not allow the state event to promote any other Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign. And indeed, Wesley Clark endorsed Hillary Clinton two months ago.
Granted, since that conversation took place, Clinton’s campaign has begun to take on a sense of inevitability. Gen. Clark’s participation in the dinner is unquestionably defensible. I do however take note when events unfold as someone assures me they will.
And these same people point to Turnham’s personal contribution to Clinton’s campaign as unseemly favoritism for a state party chair. Turnham denied in the Press-Register (April 20, link no longer available) that he was personally endorsing Clinton.
Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham gave $2,300 to New York Sen. Hillary Clinton ’s campaign on March 31, but he said last week that the contribution does not equate to an endorsement.
“I think it’s important as party chair, when these candidates come to Alabama and when they’re willing to help build the early Alabama presidential process … I’ll give to what extent I can,” he said.
Later he said in The Birmingham News (July 23, link no longer available) that he would contribute to other candidates.
Turnham, of the state Democratic Party, is also a Clinton donor, but said last week that his name will show up on other financial disclosures as well, including Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
If Turnham has contributed to other candidates, it has not worked itself through the system to show up in the database of OpenSecrets.org as of October 29.
