Government

The Solyndra Plot Thickens: Donor, Officials Warned White House Not to Visit

It seems the story about Solyndra — the belly-up solar panel company that was cleared for a $535 million loan guarantee despite warning signs  — is the story that just won’t go away. Now, the Washington Post is reporting that officials and a donor close to the president warned the White House not to visit the company, advice that was ignored.

(Read all of The Blaze’s past stories on the Solyndra scandal)

“A number of us are concerned that the president is visiting Solyndra,” California investor and Obama fundraiser Steve Westly wrote to Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett in May 2010, the same month the President visited. “Many of us believe the company’s cost structure will make it difficult for them to survive long term. … I just want to help protect the president from anything that could result in negative or unfair press.”

The message gets even more damning: “If it’s too late to change/postpone the meeting, the president should be careful about unrealistic/optimistic forecasts that could haunt him in the next 18 months if Solyndra hits the wall, files for bankruptcy, etc.”

But Westlly wasn’t the only one concerned. According to e-mails released Monday (which included Wesly’s warnings), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials also cautioned the president.

One OMB official wrote: “I am increasingly worried that this visit could prove embarrassing to the Administration in the not too distant future, given 1) what we just heard today from DOE that Solyndra is delaying their IPO at least until the end of the year, and 2) what the auditors said about Solyndra making it through the year absent new financing.”

But that warning was brushed aside by the Department of Energy as typical worry associated with a start-up.

Now we know, that worry was well-placed. And now we know that such worry made its way all the way to the White House.

Comments (134)

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  • Gary Fishaholic
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:26pm

    What else has been concealed or covered up by his supporters. Their Americans aren’t they Holder likes to prosecute white Americans.

    Report Post » Gary Fishaholic  
    • GQQSER
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:42pm

      I think you meant they’re Americans. But the point is clear.

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:45pm

      Come on folks – Green’s a very expensive endeaver and will take 20 years of failers in the US. Now China can do it right now at less than $2.00 an hour, of course this excludes Unions.

      Report Post »  
    • Gary Fishaholic
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:49pm

      Thank you right. ( They’re ) can we say Impeachment!

      Report Post » Gary Fishaholic  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:52pm

      Corruption on a GARGANTUAN scale.. No Question !!

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:16pm

      Impeach !! send all these BUM’s back to Chicago…..GAWD !!

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • Balrog28
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:31pm

      @INOGAWD

      We don’t want them back – we already got Rahm Emanuel back. Interestingly – I believe that the CrimeInc crowd has gamed even the corrupt politics of Chicago racket and achieved the impossible in such a short time. Wasn’t it convenient that Daley just stepped down and several alderment did not run for re-election in the last cycle. Things that make you go ‘Hmmm’!

      And they shall call him Emmanuel (as in – not Rahm).

      Report Post » Balrog28  
    • ACLUHater
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 5:17pm

      But it served Dumbo’s agenda. This clown should not only be removed from office, he should be in jail.

      Report Post »  
    • crazedbanshee
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 5:36pm

      @Turkey13 – Failure or success should be a loss or fortune of willing investors. With the amount of money they received how many of us unwillingly invested in the company. Even if it did succeed how many of the unwilling investors would receive the reward? The problem is that a large portion of the risk was placed on the American people. What do the company owners care? They have little to lose, so the business model reflects it and for a short period of time they pay themselves a large salary and become rich from it.

      Report Post »  
    • Darla_K
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:57pm

      This president is so dirty he stinks.

      Report Post » Darla_K  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:42am

      @turkey13
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:45pm
      Come on folks – Green’s a very expensive endeaver and will take 20 years of failers in the US. Now China can do it right now at less than $2.00 an hour, of course this excludes Unions
      ***
      Considering China is a Dictatorship they basically have slave labor! Ought to be able to do it now! Also, they don‘t have to worry about America’s regulations and taxes.
      It’ll take way more than 20 yrs of failures because this technology (or the rudiments of it) have been around since the 1970′s.

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 8:47am

      We have not even scratched the surface of the corruption and incompetence of this gruop of Chitcago thugs, but future generations will pay dearly, sad really…

      Report Post »  
  • weneedrubio
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:25pm

    You mean you actually believe that this wasn’t completely corrupt. What country are you from anyway. These guys are as dishonest and corrupt as it gets’ And no they will not end up paying for it. Our only chance is to gain 60% control with the Whitehouse. Then maybe we can go after them. It will be easy to get Holder and his buddies but we will never touch Obama because of the “first black president” thing. We should do it but there is no one that will.

    Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:30pm

      Now there‘s no chance that the Obama White house was aware of solyndra’s long term outlook. Which means they gave 535,000,000 plus U.S. TAX DOLLARS TO THE TITANIC KNOWING THE ICEBERG AWAITED.

      Report Post »  
  • politicaljules
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:24pm

    Now we know why the media is pushing stupid sensationalist stories concerning racism, homophobia, etc. They are trying to keep their base from reading these stories. The sleepy koolaide induced voter is the best voter.

    DONT LET IT HAPPEN. PUSH OUT THE SOLYNDRA STORIES EVERY WHERE, AND IGNORE STUPID MEDIA STORIES THAT MEAN NOTHING.

    DONT LET THE MEDIA RAILROAD THE OBAMA TRAIN OVER US AGAIN!

    Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:24pm

      You are so right. Every step they take is carefully thought out in advance. So it might be an ambarassment? What about the other ones? Weren’t a few other companies given money last week? This just goes on and on , and in the meanwhile they throw something else in to shove us in a different direction all together, so we won’t notice what they are really up to. We have to weed out the ones of minor importance and concentrate on the issues that demand our attention.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • johnpaulkuchtajr
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:24pm

    “It’s the money, stupid!”
    With apologies to fellow LSU graduate and political loudmouth James Carville, the motivation behind $4.7 billion in Department of Energy loan guarantees to several US solar panel manufacturers is very apparent to any resident of Chicago or south Louisiana. Being exposed to political corruption from birth, said residents all seem to have a highly developed smokescreen implanted in our rectum at delivery to prevent the lies of corrupt politicians from seeping into our bloodstreams. These latest DoE loan guarantees appear to fall into the standard, garden variety “kickback” category of political corruption inflated to the “billions” of dollars.
    What have Congressional investigators focused on? They appear to be eager to link companies like Solyndra to politically well-connected investors who have benefitted from “Crony Capitalism.” OK, that should be a given. What seems to be escaping mainstream media scrutiny is the blatant laundering of campaign contributions directly to the Obama campaign. Work with me on the following sentence: The CA Democratic Party was listed as a creditor in Solyndra’s bankruptcy filing. Altogether now, what does that mean to anybody who’s ever read a financial statement? It means that the CA Democratic Party was owed money by Solyndra and the company was acknowledging that debt in their bankruptcy filing. When the assets of Solyndra are liquidated to settle all the amounts owed to creditors, the

    Report Post »  
    • Salamander
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:25pm

      Uh, I’m a little slow here! Just HOW can a company owe money to the Democratic Party? Did they purchase something of value??? What does the Democratic Party manufacture or what service do they provide that would result in a company owing them money? And, was the amount owed carried in the Accounts Receivable of the Democratic Party or was it a Debt to be repaid? If so, why would the Democratic Party loan money to a private company? Shall I go on???

      Report Post »  
    • catfantastic
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:20pm

      Obviously you have been following this pretty close as I have. Did you catch Bret Baier’s special on Sun 10/2 and St 10/1. This administration and Dept of Energy have been loaning billions of dollars to “Green Companies” to help them develop ( OUR TAXPAYER S MONEY ) AND THEN GIVES OUT REBATES IF PURCHASING THESE PRODUCTS AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE!!!!!

      i AM SO PI—- i COULD SPIT NAILS AT THESE CURRUPT B——- WHAT IS ANYBODY DOING ABOUT IT? OBAMA AND ALL HIS MINIONS, DOJ, DEPT OF ENERGY AND WHOEVER ELSE SHOULD BE IN JAIL. THEY ARE STEALING FROM US AND ALSO OBAMA AND HIS PIRATES ARE TALKING THIS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES ABOUT GREEN ENERGIES, IT IS GOING ON ALL OVER AMERICA AND THAT IS WHY GE IS MOVING THEIR BUSINESS AND (HOW MANY OTHERS) BECAUSE OBAMA AND HIS NASTY BUNCH MANDATED THAT WE SHOULD USE THIS NEW “GREEN LIGHTBULB” AND WANTED THE WORKERS THAT WERE LAID OFF IN VIRGINIA TO TRAIN MEXICANS TO DO THEIR JOB’!!!! STRAIGHT FROM THE MOUTH OF A LAID OFF WORKER (WHOSE IDENTIY WAS PROTECTED.

      FROM THE BEGINNING OBAMA HAS SAID ONE THING AND DONE ANOTHER!!!! IS EVERYBODIES HEAD UP THEIR Ass? CANT’YOU SEE WHAT HE IS DOING TO THIS COUNTRY??? IT’S TYRANNY, AND ARNACHY AND MARXIST. HE NEED’S TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THERE ASAP!!!

      Report Post »  
    • catfantastic
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:34pm

      It is so obvious that this administration and all his corrupt cohorts have been previously selected (and usually trained in groups).

      Did anyone see bret baiers special on 10/2 (green jobs “now hiring” ? Not only is it solyandra, but it’s all across this country, other companies, work force of florida, loaning “green companies billions of dollars at taxpayers expense, and then issuing rebates if anyone purchases these ‘ green products again susidised by taxpayers.

      The dept or energy, doj and who knows how many others. They should all be arrested and put in jail along with bernie madoff. They need to broadcast this special once a day until the public starts to see what is going on and washington afficials start getting nervous.

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:53am

      @Salamander
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:25pm
      Uh, I’m a little slow here! Just HOW can a company owe money to the Democratic Party? Did they purchase something of value??? What does the Democratic Party manufacture or what service do they provide that would result in a company owing them money? And, was the amount owed carried in the Accounts Receivable of the Democratic Party or was it a Debt to be repaid? If so, why would the Democratic Party loan money to a private company? Shall I go on???
      *****
      re : What does the democrat party manufacture? I‘d say it but my Mamma’d have washed my mouth out! Suffice it to say, farmers use front end loaders to clean it from their barns and load it into spreaders!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:20pm

    More cluelessness demonstrated by this administration. “Don’t confuse me with the facts!” The few folks around the President who actually know something aren’t being listened to.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
    • CatB
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:44pm

      I don’t believe it for a minute .. Obama is in this up to his EYEBALLS! They knew exactly what this is .. money laundering .. how much of the 535 Million is coming back to Obama in campaign donations?

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • SOMETHINGHASTOGIVE
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:50pm

      wasn’t Nixon impeached for less?

      Report Post » SOMETHINGHASTOGIVE  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:00am

      @SOMETHINGHASTOGIVE
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:50pm
      wasn’t Nixon impeached for less?
      ***
      But Nixon didn’t have a Republican Congress. Reid would never allow Obama to be removed from office and the repubs know it, so why sully their reputations by impeaching the first black president.

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • SageInWaiting
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:19pm

    The Chicago way of doing things… cash flows through a VERY leaky fire hose with many on the periphery drinking from the puddles.

    Report Post » SageInWaiting  
  • georgiavietvet
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:19pm

    ………………………..Impeach obama now……………………………..

    Report Post »  
    • calonzap
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 5:11pm

      I am with you 100%…….IMPEACH OBAMA NOW!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Just South Of Heaven
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Like domino’s, if “THE ONE” falls they all do! Someone is already sweating bullets, but is awaiting a pardon.

    Report Post » Just South Of Heaven  
  • Speak without Fear
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:18pm

    They ALL knew…….that Solyndra was going to go belly up. Nothing but a bunch of thieves…in suits and ties….behind desks…..and one behind the OVal Office Desk.

    Absolutely SICKENING.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:47pm

      Obama and his administraion make Nixon look like a Boy Scout and Carter look smart.

      Impeachment and incarceration.

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
  • Carefreeflyer
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:10pm

    This giant coverup is starting to come apart. Everyday a new revelation.

    Report Post » Carefreeflyer  
    • Hickory
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:16pm

      We should reserve several jumpsuits for Obama and his gang of theives.

      Report Post » Hickory  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:23pm

      Betcha’ BO and MO would look good in ORANGE !!

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:07pm

    Do you remember people saying “Obama is always the smartest guy in the room”? Maybe not, especially when he fires up his ego. That thing can really get in the way and cost Taxpayers a bundle; but who ever said that a Democrat would consider the Taxpayers when making a financial decision?

    Report Post »  
    • vennoye
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:17pm

      If Obama was REALLY the “smartest guy in the room” we would have his academic records!!!

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:12pm

      Do not confuse ruthlessness or deceptive practices with intelligence. Cunning is an instinct, not higher-order reasoning.

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
  • GERATMO
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:06pm

    We need to pass laws that imprison white collar frauds and corrupt politicians. As long as they can get away with this it will never stop. This is a prime example of why our government cant be trusted. They waste billions of dollars on special intrest projects and when they fail they sweep it under the rug and move on to the next. It makes my blood boil.

    Report Post » GERATMO  
    • Gary Fishaholic
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:24pm

      I couldn’t agree more there should be some consequences to these actions jail would be my vote! Then they would get the free health care they wanted.

      Report Post » Gary Fishaholic  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:07am

      @GERATMO
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:06pm
      We need to pass laws that imprison white collar frauds and corrupt politicians. As long as they can get away with this it will never stop. This is a prime example of why our government cant be trusted. They waste billions of dollars on special intrest projects and when they fail they sweep it under the rug and move on to the next. It makes my blood boil
      ***
      They’re already there, but, REMEMBER THE HOLDER JUSTICE DEPT? That’s why Levin is screaming SPECIAL PROSECUTOR!!!!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:06pm

    Obama a Chicago crook, nothing more!!!!

    Report Post » Cabo King  
  • biermaster
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:05pm

    and I am sure the money that they granted this past week is as safe as this was. Chu is the one that needs to be removed, and investigated with the former House Speaker who I’m Sure did not support the loan to her brother and investor in solyndra. And the Progs want 4 more of the Teapot Dome group in power?????

    Report Post »  
  • GERATMO
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:01pm

    Obama is insane by definition.

    Report Post » GERATMO  
    • texanpatriot
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:07pm

      Much like Clinton I think he is Teflon. No matter what comes out no one will DARE move on the info.

      Report Post » texanpatriot  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:55pm

    Wow, what a train wreck…..

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • bilorites
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:53pm

    Oh …but we can’t critcize him or holder cuz they be part of the protected class….wink wink

    Report Post »  
  • matt708
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:52pm

    Valerie Jarret should also go to jail and be fired and banned from any government job

    Report Post »  
    • DNC TALIBAN
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:54pm

      This story stinks, I want to know how much of that money came back to the DNC.

      Report Post » DNC TALIBAN  
    • Hickory
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:18pm

      Valerie has worked well under Obama (wink, wink). She has nothing to fear except…… us.

      Report Post » Hickory  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:40pm

      BO,MO,Val,Eric,Rahm and the whole BUNCH should share
      a cell with Bernie.. Corruption at the top level !!

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • momprayn
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:05pm

      That’s an understatement. From what I’ve read from alleged Insiders but I believe b/c what they’ve “leaked” has come true so far….is that she is really the one who is our “President”. Obama is clueless and a puppet, used by his lefty handlers that got him elected via fraud, using him as their “front man” to make his glorious speeches – the only thing he likes and is really good at – to fool the ppl. She’s the one that makes the major decisions (well, probably all since he’s incapable of making them & doesn’t want to) — & speaks for him at their meetings, etc. Holder & the corrupt DOJ protect him – keep his fraud & scandals secret. They had it all planned well ahead of 2008. Geithner is also involved as the one who manipulated the crash of 2008 to help get Obama elected and further their agenda. All criminals……….but I think it finally might be all falling apart – God willing!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:16am

      @MIBUGNU2
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:40pm
      BO,MO,Val,Eric,Rahm and the whole BUNCH should share
      a cell with Bernie.. Corruption at the top level !!
      ****
      Compared with that bunch, Bernie had ethics. (But then potus said he wasn’t interested in learning about them in school! Right and wrong didn’t interest him.)

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • WhatsYerProblem
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:49pm

    Nothing to see here. Move along.

    Report Post » WhatsYerProblem  
    • motonutt
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:09pm

      Exactly right….and with the help of the leftist media it is all being swept under the rug. I have been emailing our local leftest rag and asking when the story on Solyndra? Yesterday they had a little piece barried on page 6. And then the article was about Chu defending their actions.

      Report Post » motonutt  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:17pm

      Bush called Bama and told it was OK to visit..

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • CCRYDER
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Yeah? That‘s what they said about a little break in at the DNC in ’72…

      Report Post »  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:32pm

      I think Bush set up Obumma, Rahm,Valerie and Eric….
      and GREED took over…
      That would be PRICELESS !!!

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 5:04pm

      These aren‘t the droids we’re looking for. Move along.

      Report Post »  
  • drago
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:48pm

    I am shocked! Well not really….

    Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:48pm

    LOL…..this just gets better and better. Oh…..those greedy, fat cat socialists. Wonder how many other “embarrassing” Obama failures are being kept hidden from us.

    Report Post »  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:55pm

      This is also another push into the corner for Obama & his handlers. Remember, a cornered animal is dangerous.

      Report Post »  
    • bleuze
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:30pm

      How about the tax payer money given to Gore ($526M) to create energy jobs – in FINLAND!

      Report Post » bleuze  
  • kentuckypatriot
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:48pm

    Typical narcisstic prez. It’s all about him and his image.

    Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
    • angelcat
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 4:20pm

      Exactly! You took the words right off my keyboard.

      Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:47pm

    And you mean BO didn’t LISTEN? What a shocker!

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • randy
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:46pm

    Time to try the POTUS And throw his and Holders A$$ in Jail.

    Report Post » randy  
    • georgiavietvet
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 3:17pm

      randy………….you are absolutely right, obama should be impeached. the trouble is, we don’ have a republican in the house, with the intestinal fortitude, to persue, and bring impeachment proceeding against obama. on top of that, the senate is controlled by the democrats, and that makes it very diffucult, to get a conviction. GOD knows, i would to see that happen, but i will be very surprised if it does. all we can do, is to keep pushing our various represtatives for impeachment and keep praying. all things are possible through GOD………………………………………

      Report Post »  
  • Micmac
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 2:45pm

    NoBama is the quintessential definition of an Existentialist.

    NoBama 2012

    Report Post »  
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