Patrick Oconnell
The expression Obama's Swiss Cheese Campaign refers to Barack Obama's renewed class-warfare attack on his GOP opponent Mitt Romney. Obama's campaign involved populist rhetoric demonizing foreign money, particularly Swiss bank accounts, in an attempt to win over independents who were tired of crony, out-of-touch government. However, it was revealed that some of Obama's campaign finance bundlers and close associates were architects and beneficiaries of the Swiss tax havens he criticized. This contradiction led to criticism of Obama's campaign tactics and claims of hypocrisy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Campaign | Obama's Swiss Cheese Campaign |
| Date | 2012 |
| Target | GOP opponent Mitt Romney |
| Reason | Romney's Swiss bank account, corporation in Bermuda, and funds in the Cayman Islands |
| Spokesperson | Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina |
| Supporters | Ben LaBolt, George Clooney |
| Donors | Robert Wolf, George Soros |
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What You'll Learn
Obama's Swiss Cheese Campaign
In 2012, President Barack Obama's re-election campaign targeted GOP opponent Mitt Romney with a renewed class-warfare attack, dubbed the "Swiss Cheese Campaign". The campaign sought to paint Romney as an out-of-touch elitist by highlighting his offshore finances, including a $3 million Swiss bank account, a mysterious corporation in Bermuda, and funds in the Cayman Islands.
Obama's campaign manager, Jim Messina, urged reporters to investigate Romney's finances, while campaign flack Ben LaBolt assailed Romney's use of tax havens. However, the campaign faced criticism for its hypocrisy, as some of Obama's own campaign finance bundlers and associates, such as Robert Wolf, had connections to Swiss tax havens. Wolf, a longtime friend and donor, was president of Swiss financial giant UBS Investment Bank and had bundled more than $500,000 for Obama's campaigns. Additionally, the timing of the campaign overlapped with a fundraising event in Geneva, Switzerland, led by Tinseltown tycoon George Clooney, which further highlighted the irony of the situation.
Despite these challenges, Obama's campaign believed that populist rhetoric demonizing foreign money would resonate with independents tired of cronyism and out-of-touch government. The "Swiss Cheese Campaign" exemplified the divisive nature of American politics at the time, with both sides employing rhetoric and tactics to sway public opinion and shape the narrative surrounding their candidates.
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Obama's favourite imported Swiss cheese
Barack Obama's favourite imported Swiss cheese is a topic that has been discussed by various media outlets. While there is no definitive answer, some sources suggest that Obama has a penchant for Swiss cheese, a type of cheese that originated in the Emmental region of Switzerland. This cheese is known for its yellow, medium-hard texture and distinctive holes, known as "eyes". The term "Swiss cheese" is now used more generically to describe any similar variety of cheese, even those not made in Switzerland.
Swiss cheese is produced using three types of bacteria: Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus (L. helveticus or L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus), and Propionibacterium (Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermani). The bacteria work together to create the cheese's signature sweet and nutty flavour. The larger the eyes in Swiss cheese, the more pronounced its flavour, as a longer fermentation period allows more time for the bacteria to act.
Swiss cheese is not just popular in Switzerland and the United States, but also in other countries like Finland, Estonia, and Ireland. Interestingly, the holes in the cheese, or "eyes," were historically seen as imperfections, and cheesemakers tried to avoid them. However, in modern times, these holes have become an identifier of Swiss cheese, although they pose a challenge for mechanical slicing.
While it is unclear exactly which type of Swiss cheese Obama prefers, it is safe to say that he appreciates a good imported Swiss cheese. This preference has been referenced in political commentary, adding a lighthearted touch to discussions about international relations and diplomacy.
In conclusion, Barack Obama's favourite imported Swiss cheese remains a topic of speculation, but his appreciation for this variety of cheese has left a lasting impression, just as the distinctive holes, or "eyes," of Swiss cheese leave their mark on taste buds around the world.
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Obama fundraising in Geneva, Switzerland
In 2008, George Clooney hosted a fundraising event for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Geneva, Switzerland. Clooney headlined an exclusive event for Americans in Geneva, one of the world's most affluent cities. Some 170 contributors paid $1,000 each to attend a cocktail party with Clooney at a museum in Geneva's Old Town. Following this, 75 high-rolling supporters spent $10,000 each to attend an intimate seated dinner with the Hollywood actor and director. The event was organised by an American lawyer, Charles Adams, who was based in Geneva and sat on the National Finance Committee of the campaign.
In 2012, Clooney hosted another fundraising event for Obama's campaign in Geneva, this time to help the then-president win re-election. The event was expected to be the "single most important fundraising event" outside the United States for Obama's campaign. About 100 American supporters paid $1,000 each to attend a champagne reception, while around 35 donors paid $15,000 each for a gourmet dinner with Clooney. In total, the event raised about $500,000 for Obama's campaign coffers.
Obama's Swiss Cheese Campaign, as it was dubbed, was criticised as "envy politics, doused in hypocritical whine" as some of his campaign finance bundlers were architects and beneficiaries of the Swiss tax havens he claimed to abhor. For example, Robert Wolf, a longtime friend of Obama and president of Swiss financial giant UBS Investment Bank, had bundled more than $500,000 for Obama's campaigns.
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Obama's campaign finance bundlers and Swiss tax havens
Barack Obama's administration took a strong stance against tax evasion and tax havens, with Obama himself declaring a "war on tax cheats". This included a focus on Swiss banks and their American clients, with UBS and Credit Suisse facing heavy scrutiny and large fines.
This crackdown on Swiss banking secrecy was not without its critics, and it was noted that some of Obama's closest associates were connected to Swiss financial institutions. Robert Wolf, a longtime friend of Obama and a member of his Economic Recovery Advisory Board, was the president of UBS Investment Bank and chairman of UBS Americas. Wolf was a prominent campaign finance bundler for Obama, having personally bundled more than $500,000. In 2010, Obama's Internal Revenue Service dropped its lawsuit against UBS, which paid nearly $800 million to end the investigation.
Despite these connections, Obama's administration persisted in its efforts to curb tax evasion, with the Swiss Bank Program leading to voluntary disclosures and federal investigations. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) also played a significant role in discouraging tax evasion by requiring financial institutions to share information about Americans' accounts.
While some Swiss banks were forced to accept US clients due to FATCA and other pressures, the relationship between Switzerland and the US remained tense. Swiss companies faced challenges in hiring talented individuals connected to the US tax system due to the threat of penalties for non-compliance with FATCA. Swiss officials expressed disappointment with the US for putting their country under pressure, and there were concerns about potential trading and investment disadvantages.
In conclusion, while Obama's campaign finance bundlers had connections to Swiss financial institutions, his administration actively targeted Swiss tax havens and sought to increase transparency and discourage tax evasion. The complex dynamics between the US and Switzerland continued to evolve, with ongoing efforts to balance trade relations, enforce tax compliance, and navigate political sensitivities.
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Obama's populist rhetoric against foreign money
In 2012, Barack Obama's populist rhetoric against foreign money was directed at his GOP opponent Mitt Romney. On Independence Day, Obama's official Twitter account declared:
> FACT: In 2010, Romney reported having a $3 million Swiss bank account.
Obama's campaign manager, Jim Messina, urged reporters to read a new report on Romney's offshore finances in Vanity Fair. Obama's campaign flack, Ben LaBolt, also assailed Romney's "mysterious corporation in Bermuda, his funds in the Cayman Islands and the Swiss bank account he opened."
The rhetoric was designed to stoke wealth-bashing resentment against Republicans. However, it emerged that some of Obama's campaign finance bundlers and friends, such as Robert Wolf, were architects and beneficiaries of the Swiss tax havens he purported to criticise. Obama's Internal Revenue Service also dropped its lawsuit over UBS tax havens in 2010.
Obama has defined populism as protecting "the little guy against powerful corporate interests, guaranteeing educational opportunity regardless of wealth, and insuring a fair shake for workers." He has also stated that populism is not about divisive rhetoric or "us versus them" mentalities, but rather about protecting the interests of the general population.
In recent years, Obama has stepped back into the public eye to offer veiled critiques of the Trump administration and a call to action to restore democracy. He has warned that America is "dangerously close" to moving away from democracy and autocracy, pointing to the erosion of traditional values such as the rule of law, an independent judiciary, freedom of the press, and the right to protest. He has also criticised the Trump administration's immigration policies, stating that America can "fix [its] broken immigration system while still recognizing [its] common humanity and treating each other with dignity and respect."
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Frequently asked questions
Obama's Swiss Cheese Campaign refers to his renewed class-warfare attack on his GOP opponent Mitt Romney. Obama's campaign manager, Jim Messina, urged reporters to read left-wing Vanity Fair's report on Romney's offshore finances, including his Swiss bank account.
Critics called the campaign "100 percent, unadulterated envy politics, doused in hypocritical whine." They pointed out that Obama's close associates, such as Robert Wolf, were architects and beneficiaries of the Swiss tax havens he claimed to oppose.
Yes, the campaign faced an issue as it was launched in the same week that actor George Clooney announced Obama fundraising efforts in Geneva, Switzerland. This seemed to contradict the message of the Swiss Cheese Campaign.
The campaign aimed to stoke wealth-bashing resentment against Republicans, particularly targeting Romney's foreign money and use of tax havens. The populist rhetoric was intended to shore up the left flank and win over independents tired of cronyism and out-of-touch government.
While it is unclear whether the campaign directly led to any electoral success for Obama, it did generate significant media attention and discussion around Romney's finances. Obama's tweets and comments by his campaign members sparked conversations about the use of offshore finances and tax havens.
