This isn't unusual here in the US, and it's not even considered improper. It's a common fundraising technique to ask for a fee in exchange for some face time or to be in the same room as a celebrity, though usually it's for a charity and not for a library.

J. Seale, Los Angeles, CA, USA

It is not about dontaions. It is about how they are gotten by "selling" meetings with high ranking Repugs.

Victoria, Oakland, USA

Wow, what a revelation! Access to a president and/or his administration may require a donation to help finance their presidential library, I wonder how long this is been going on? Maybe the US should consider funding these libraries the UK way, socialize it.

Jim Watkins, Lincoln, IL, USA

The row is Payne's alleged offering of access. He is not clear what the access will mean for the potential donor. That would be between the donor and the political figure.

What's even more telling is that Payne is quite clear about how the donation will be distributed, most to his firm.

Hmm

Rick Nantelle, Asheville NC, USA

Interesting to watch press secretary Dana Perino downplay the relationship between Mr. Payne and the president.

Watch the house of cards continue to crumble.

Patty, Dallas,

What? Nobody in the film is in the Lincoln bedroom, jumping up and down on the bed!!!

Al, Tucson,

listen to those on the far right squealing as they try to rationalize this one.

david, New York, United States

I am amazed that people think this is something new...

I am amazed at how easy it is to pick out people's political opinions based on where they live...

I am also amazed at how much people from other countries feel that their opinions make a difference in our government and wonder why they care..

Aaron, Atlanta, USA

Who cares about Clinton? He's not the president anymore! The reason WHY the UK cares about who is our president is because the US is a "world power" and our economy effects everyone's economy. Believe it or not, I came to this article from FOXNews!

Robin, Ohio, USA

Most of us who read about Washington culture are all-too familiar with the Axis of Influence: money, politicians, lobbyists. What is disturbing to me is to actually witness this on film. I thought things like this only happened to Paris Hilton.

Mikey, Toledo, OH, United States

From my point of view it has less to do with Mr. Bush, Mr. Clinton, and the British press etc.. as it does with our potentially spiraling out of the hands of the American people government. We need more thoughtful voting, more investigation by the press, and ultimately more impeachments.

James, Philomath,

There is no crime here, its not the same as selling access for campaign funds. Also, who in the video is the villian? Have they connected the President to this party? My guess not.

Ed, Enid , USA

To Americans angry over this report, why would you notwant to know the true business of Homeland Security Advisory Council Mr. Payne is on. we hear nothing from Republican other than need to defeat 'threats'. How exactly will President Bush's library stop the surging al Qaeda in afghanistan?

Brandon, Palmyra, United States

what unsettles me is not so much the meetings that are promised, like stephen hadley or sec. rice, et al., --this is what would be expected for my money, and seems wrong, but is just an expensive photo opportunity-- rather the manipulation of foreign policy is promised; the rewriting of history

dan, lafayette, USA

make a note: the only time to find out the truth about what's going on in the u.s. is at 4:00a.m. cst, whether it's on the on the web or on the t.v. is inconsiquential. the department of misinformation only works 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. est 7 days aweek in the once great usa.

kraka joe, waukesha, wi, inyernationally embarrassed usa

So this is a shock to me because......eh, it's not a shock.
If Nancy Pelosi had a backbone we would be in the middle of impeachment proccedings. But she doesn't, we aren't and the whole world is witness to the collapse of "a nation of laws and not of men".

Jim Bailey, Cripple Creek CO, USA

And the point of this is? There is nothing illegal taking place here. This what lobbyists do and this what they've been doing since the Unites States was founded. I like how the article doesn't say anything about Senator Biden. I wonder if the MSM in America will mention his name was brought up.

R Miller, Philadelphia,

A George Dubya Bush Library ?!?!?

What's it going to have in it ? Superhero comics ?
Actually, perhaps MAD comics would be more appropriate.

The most disastrous US President the rest of the world has had to suffer. And he has the arrogance to believe he has anything of lasting value.

A. Kirk, Manchester,

Cash for pardons will be next, and before November.. After all, if a Dem is elected in November then there won't be many pardons offered to the members of this the most corrupt administration in our history.

Zipper, LA, USA

Why is this so surprising to everyone. "We the people" have let this happen over and over again. We failed to act, failed to correct it, and now this is really OUR legacy......The Bush embarrassment!

M.J., Iowa, U.S.A.

Will the "do nothing Congress" stand up for justice?
Um, No. They are too busy...with what, who knows. But they have clearly established that they are NOT looking out for us. What a sad and dark times our country is in due to the arrogance of this administration and the spineless Democrats.

Amy, Gales Ferry , USA

Beautiful! Brilliant! Typical!

RD, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Hey David from Chicago. Sort of like your city? Is this what it is like with the politicians there? It was not Bush selling access, it was Stephen Payne. He will be banned from the White House.

Roy Bockelkamp, Etters, U.S.A

Great job uncovering this 'selling access'. The bottom line is that if I have hundreds of thousands of dollars I might get access to my own elected leaders. The country has become an oligarchy of politicians and the corporate elite who fund them. Time to "water the tree of liberty" once more.

Bruce, Nashville, US

Congrats on the article. You hit a nerve with the administration on this one. Bushies will sell anything for a buck!

David, Chicago, United States

Why is London so set about digging up dirt on the U.S.? Your story should be directed at your govt. and your crown families dirty laundry. Every election year we are blasted from the London media who they think should be president. Simply bad form "old boy" !!!!!

Tim, Rockville,

So what? And Clinton didnt do the same thing? Oh i forgot you loved that man. Im sure you will find some sinister plot. Maybe there is oil under the library. Between your hatred of USA/Bush and love of Obama this story ranks as pretty low and lame. Why does Europe even care about this? Petty.

William, Atlanta, USA

To the bloggers... protests/assemblies in the streets ARE STILL LEGAL, for now...

As a US military member, all I can say is we fight and die for YOUR RIGHTS to speak YOUR MINDS. The U.S. Constitution supports YOU, for now...

Hope is only one facet of US strength. There are two more...

Derek, Tucson, USA

The British public suffers from Empire Hangover. Money for access has been the norm in political and state circles for centuries. I wish there were a better way of doing things but there is not.

Marie Antoinette, Paris, France

The fitting shoddy end to a shoddy presidency.

JOHN CHUCKMAN, Toronto, Canada

I'm disappointed just how many of the comments include some jab at the president for his supposed stupidity. He did better in college than Kerry, and he was "smart". Also, how do we know that top officials knew about what was going on? It's possible that all they saw an appointment in their schedule

Dan, Newport News, USA

Have you seen the list of shady people who have been "persuaded" to donate to the Clinton Library. This desperation ex Presidents and Prime Ministers have for a "legacy" inevitably requires them to take money from extremely dubious characters.

Caroline Kennedy, San Jose, Costa Rica

My congratulations for carrying out investigative journalism at its best.

Greg, London,

This article is inaccurate. Such libraries are paid from private donations. They are neither part of the public government nor required. Candidate fundraising dinners are similar. Those who contribute are thanked with a group meeting or a one-on-one meeting. Where is the "row", Times of London?

Joe, New York, US

First of all, I didn't know he could even read, let alone have enough books & papers to fill a library. But hey, he probably does have a few Marvel comics and a Cliff's Notes.

John, London, UK

Yeah but what about Blair?

Longy, Katherine, Australia

All donations made to a presidential library should be public record. The people have a right to know as these donations can affect governmental parties, expecially the bigger ones. Its just human nature. A presidential library is really an advertisement for the administration-its political.

Brian Stewart, Los Angeles, USA

How much money is really needed for a GWB library, I mean it'll have My Pet Goat, a couple of coloring books, and a box with the shredded US Constitution.

Trent, Nashville, TN, USA

I knew the 2006 Democrats were bought and paid for, I just haven't had proof - till now.

The Justice Dept. should open an investigation into this firm's books to be sure no one has paid for access to Bush, Cheney or Rice, like say energy or defense interests....

Gus W., Rockland,

And yet, We the American People are to blame for this sad and sorry state of affairs. Yes WE are! Why? Because we did not pay attention to what this crime family has been doing for the last 100 years. Yes...100 years.
It is almost too late to care. We have failed our founders and ourselves.

Duane Evans, greer, united States

Only those who've not worked inside the beltway would find this anything but typical. Money provides influence, duh. Why on earth do you think "Lobbyist" were created? They are the paid worms who dig through the muck in order to keep the "Politicians" hands clean. It is the orde of things in DC.

Lisa, Dallas, TX, United States of America

The funny thing about Mussolini's fascism was that although ideologies were proffered for public consumption, internally the regime was simply a kick-back scheme, a cozy relationship where the financial contributors to the 'fascist cause' received policy favors proportional to their donations.

Thomas, Syracuse, NY, USA

In America if you have money you can buy access to the President.This corruot group in power now is the worst.

The republican party is "THE WATERGATE PARTY" They don't want big government,but will spend untold amounts on" BIG BROTHER,"spying on you.The republicans work of fear,and love WAR.

bart, CLAYTON, usa

we'll never forget you, President Jimmy Bush

kal, Washington, USA

Yes Washington is for sale at almost every level! how much do you want to BUY?

Omer Bishop, Midland .Tx , USA

Amazing that even in the UK, when Bush is caught doing the outrageous, it's "yeah, but what about Clinton?"

Duane Galensky, Beallsville PA, US

Not a peep will be heard of this on Fox News, or CNN in America. The big topics now are (1) Why Obama hates pets. (2) The names of McCain's dogs, his cats, his birds how he loves pets. and most important: (3) Cindy's hair and whether she should use curls, or the scary pull back bun when First Lady!

Al Tepper, Los Angeles,

Brings to mind the Clinton Library scandals. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander. And this is just politics as usual.

During campaign season, it works just the same. It isn't who gives the money that matters. It's who gets paid. Look at the WSP client list.

Lizzy, Bend, USA

Wow! It's pretty amazing to have such good video evidence. The whole thing is so blatant and direct and being discussed in a public place. Brazen!! It appears Bush isn't waiting to move on to fill the coffers. I guess he's afraid no one will pay him anything once he's out of office.

Kay, Newport Beach, USA

Does Mr. Bush really need to build a library to safeguard his legacy ?

How could we ever forget him ?

R. Miller, Nova Scotia, Canada

Bush I, Clinton and now Bush II. So as it goes in the, formally, great settler nation known as the USA. Everything is for sale to the highest bidder. I do believe the UK went through a similar period.

Scott, Chagrin Falls, USA

We in America need the UK media to keep speaking out about what's really going on in the USA. The media here is doing everything they can to help Bush heir John McCain get elected. Even "progressive" media has turned on Obama and the Democrats are too impotent to help. History is repeating itself.

Malron Jett, Chgo Hts, IL, USA

Yes, just as says Richard Dickinson, London, UK: we should leave the Bush Administration OUT of considering the implications of a story about the Bush Administration. We call that snark in the US; perhaps in UK you might know it as enabling? Just get used to it: W.P.E.

David Mather, Los Angeles, USA

Thank you, Times of London, for doing the job that should have been done by the U.S. news media. I'm confident Payne will receive the same punishment as did I. Lewis ("Scooter") Libby , Esq. -- which is none at all.
General Hayden, would you please stop reading my posts? Thank you.

David, San Diego, California, USA

Are we really surprised at anything done on behalf of a setting or existing Republican president. And so many of you want to continue the legacy. And watch this story get swept under the rug by Fox and conservative radio, along with all of McCain's 50 plus flip-flops. Tsk, tsk!!

SHERRIA, Nashville, Davidson

Robert Holt:

Your Bush Regime comment is silly. Have you lived under a REAL REGIME? Castro or Mugabe? A place where your life can be forfeit on a commandant's whim? Your post is insulting to people who know REAL political suffering. The true crime is that BOTH parties are rife with such conduct.

Spencer Tyler, New York,

You mean to say people STILL want to meet these yo-yos - and pay money for the dubious privilege.

It's a funny old world.

David, Dubai, UAE

Wow. De ja vu. Another administration accepting donations for face time. Reminds me of Clinton 'RENTING' out the Lincoln bedroom with items going missing afterwards. At least this is only for a possible meeting, not a weekend at the White House. Sounds more like a fund raiser, not selling drugs.

John , Chicago, USA

I always find it amazing just how much short term memory loss people have. Just seven short years ago, the same stories were being run about Bill Clinton. Unfortunately, they are a fact of life. Why we even need Presidential Libraries eludes me. Let's see if Bush pardons someone like Mark Rich.

Stephen K. Trynosky Sr., fair lawn NJ, USA

Wow..... This is something most people suspected was happing in Washington for the past Decade and now we have the Facts..... It is really a bad reflection on WSP, and how GREED has played a role in where they are in life....

ED Helm, Destin, FL, USA

Think of how much the oil companies paid Bush to invade Iraq and this is chickenfeed...

Jeff Larsen, Christchurch, NZ

There's nothing new here. The GOP thinks money is the root of all power.

Steve J., Tucson, USA

Amazing how hatred, not facts drive people to their "opinions". Bush had nothing to do with this. Bush has more money and pull than anyone commenting here. He doesn't need to be "paid" for his library or peddle a meeting for money. Small people "think" small ... I suppose ... .

Nancy, Princeton, U.S.

I hope that this will shed some light on whats really going on in America right now, the best government money can buy. A nice way to perserve a legacy too, through bribes and lobbyists--good going president Bush.

Larry Yepes, Honolulu, USA

I think we should leave the Bush administration out of things - anyone remember the last few months of the Clinton administration? It was amazing what kind of Presidential pardon awaited the highest bidder...this is is just American politics as its best (worst)

Richard Dickinson, London, UK

I wonder how he came up with this idea? At least the Lincoln bedroom and technology wasn't for sale.

r. burns, tampa,

I can't believe that this is happening in America. This is literally beyond words.

Joseph Logan, Austin, TX, USA

I always felt that it would be soomething akin to a Watergate style affair that would bring doen Bush's administration in the end !!!!!

Forget WAR, MAYHEM & FAMINE !!!!!

Ian Payne, walsall,

I'm surprised if you expected any less from the Bush regime ..

Robert Holt, San Francisco CA, USA