Hillary the Freeloader

If Hillary comes to town and requests services, make sure you get paid upfront. In cash. From the Politico via TPM:

"I feel insulted by the way that the campaign treated this company and treated us personally," said the employee, who did not want to be named talking about a client.

The Clinton campaign paid the company $16,500 to set up a stage, press riser, sound system and backdrops at a Youngstown high school last month for a raucous union rally, where an aggressive Clinton stump speech drew thunderous applause. But the Clinton campaign has yet to pay Forty Two for two other February events, and the employee said the campaign has stopped returning phone calls, e-mails and didn't respond to a certified letter.

"We worked very hard to put together these events on a moment's notice and do absolutely everything to a 't' to make it look perfect on television for her and for her campaign," said the employee. "Sen. Clinton talks about helping working families, people in unions and small businesses. But when it comes down to actually doing something that shows that she can back up her words with action, she fails."

This is way beyond stupid. The PR effect here is devastating. When the Clintons already have a reputation for using and abusing people, the last thing they need to do in the middle of a heated campaign is provide yet more evidence that the abuser tag is real. It wasn't necessary, they could pay their bills, or at least answer the phones when the creditors call.

The other thing they don't need is a perception that the campaign is running on fumes, but that's probably true as well.

I'm guessing the small businesses that got stiffed, plus their family and friends and everyone they can talk two will be voting for Obama. Because apparently the Clintons can't help being the Clintons.