Why are the Police Protecting Big Money from Public Scrutiny in Denver?

Posted by Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake at 4:00 AM on August 28, 2008.

Hillary Rosen, who does commentary for CNN, told me yesterday that despite the fact that cable news has decided the war between Clinton and Obama supporters is the story of the convention, they're actually having trouble finding delegates who reflect that.


From here on the ground, the real story is the unhealthy relationship between Democratic politicians and their bigwig donors, but woe to anyone who wants to look into it:

Police in Denver arrested an ABC News producer today as he and a camera crew were attempting to take pictures on a public sidewalk of Democratic Senators and VIP donors leaving a private meeting at the Brown's Palace Hotel.

Police on the scene refused to tell ABC lawyers the charges against the producer, Asa Eslocker, who works with the ABC News investigative unit.

A police official later told lawyers for ABC News that Eslocker is being charged with trespass, interference, and failure to follow a lawful order. He also said the arrest followed a signed complaint from the Brown Palace Hotel.

Eslocker was put in handcuffs and loaded in the back of a police van which headed for a nearby police station.

... Eslocker and his ABC News colleagues are spending the week investigating the role of corporate lobbyists and wealthy donors at the convention for a series of Money Trail reports on ABC World News with Charles Gibson.

As Dan Rather noted the other day, if he was covering the convention, the relationship between Democrats and lobbyists would be the story he'd be investigating.


But what do you suppose Hillary supporters think about Michelle Obama's hair? Inquiring Fox News reporters want to know.

Tagged as: police, corrupt politics, corporate interests

Jane Hamsher is the founder of FireDogLake. Her work has also appeared on the Huffington Post, Alternet and The American Prospect.