General politics thread

Band started out in the lowly position of bodyman — sometimes called "butt boy" by aides — that involves carrying bags, maintaining Clinton's schedule, always having a pen handy, etc. Band stayed by Clinton's side throughout most of his post-presidency, and came up with the idea for the wildly successful Clinton Global Initiative — Clinton told CBS that Band was responsible for "virtually 100 percent" of his fundraising after leaving office. But as TNR's Alec MacGillis explains, in 2011, Band and Irish businessman Declan Kelly created Teneo, a consulting business that charges as much as $250,000 a month for public relations. Teneo can charge high fees because of Band's connection to Clinton. "The longtime Clinton associate says that Band’s pitch to clients was that he was 'able to fly around [with Clinton] and decide who flies around with him. ... The whole thing is resting on his access,'" MacGillis reports.