OPINION
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Who's Funding Bush's Library?
Money coming in during presidency raises concerns over quid pro quo
By Michael O'Connor
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Posted Mar 4, 08 2:40 PM CST
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(Newser)
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President Bush's coy refusal to name the mystery donors helping to erect his $200 million presidential library is problematic, writes David Corn in Mother Jones' MoJo blog. Though the law doesn't require him to reveal names, his actions raise serious ethical questions. "What's problematic is the prospect of a sitting president obtaining foreign cash for a pet project and not disclosing it," argues Corn.
Corn suggests that Saudi Arabia's royal family—which reportedly funded both George HW Bush's and Bill Clinton's libraries—is a likely contributor, and worries that it's "an easy way for these foreigners to curry favor." He also points out that while still in office, Bush could "hit up American corporations and individuals looking to score points with the White House."