by Frank James
The Republican National Committee has been making noises for days about alleged political contributions from foreign nationals to the Obama campaign. That would be illegal if it happened and, of course, these charges are only that at this point.
Today, the RNC pulled the trigger on a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission.
Here's the release in which they announced their action:
RNC FILES FEC COMPLAINT AGAINST OBAMA CAMPAIGN
WASHINGTON - The Republican National Committee (RNC) today filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against the Obama for America campaign addressing it's acceptance of foreign national and excessive contributions. The complaint demonstrates that the Obama campaign has failed to comply with federal campaign finance law in its fundraising. RNC Chief Counsel Sean Cairncross released the following statement today concerning the complaint:
"We believe Obama for America has knowingly accepted excessive contributions and donations from foreign nationals, and has failed to take the necessary remedial action required by law. We see this as a wide-scale problem and it appears the Obama campaign may be in substantial noncompliance with federal campaign finance laws. Barack Obama broke his word to the American people and refused to accept public financing, and now his campaign appears to be disregarding the rules and laws that govern federal campaigns. Senator Obama routinely mentions the word 'change' on the campaign trail, yet it seems the only changes he supports are ones that personally benefit his own political aspirations."
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Comments
Load the torpedo tubes. Time to attack. We'll get four more years even if it sinks the country. We've already done a great job on the economy.
Posted by: Kenneth Janowski | October 6, 2008 2:34 PM
If the charges prove false, as they likely will, then the RNC should call a press conference to apologize to the Obama campaign for this accusation.
Since that's not likely to happen, this is a non-story.
Posted by: Bud | October 6, 2008 2:36 PM
There can really be no argument that he didn't do this. That's why Obama never responded to the FEC inquiries. Unless, of course, you think that "goodwill's" occupation really is "loving you."
If Obama's serious about transparency he should return the money posthaste.
Posted by: Jeff | October 6, 2008 2:37 PM
This must have been filed by Kevin Hasset, McCain's economic advisor and co-author of DOW 36000. So McCain turns to Phil "whiner" Gramm and "Wrong Way" Hassett to rescue us from the economic meltdown, just great!
Posted by: dt | October 6, 2008 2:55 PM
Where was this wonderful oversight of finances by the republicans when it had to do with our money and not their election?
Posted by: bill r. | October 6, 2008 3:00 PM
This out today from ABC news Feb. 1 2008......
Top fundraisers for the presidential campaigns of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain lobby on behalf of foreign governments and sometimes helped their clients gain access to the senators, according to a Center for Investigative Reporting and ABCNews.com review of records.
Campaign finance experts and political scholars say the connection between foreign lobbying and presidential campaign fundraising deserves scrutiny because of concerns as to whether the lobbyist will have undue influence if his candidate reaches the Oval Office.
Posted by: bill r. | October 6, 2008 3:05 PM
Amen to that, Bill R.!!!!!
Posted by: SouthSideD | October 6, 2008 3:42 PM
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http://www.keatingeconomics.com/
Send it to everyone you know. Twice!
Posted by: tried and true Americand | October 6, 2008 3:51 PM
bill r.,
You used logic and common sense to swat away a pathetic and lame charge from the RNC and it's sheeple. They don't respond to that sort of thing. Just fear, smear, and ad hoc garbage.
Posted by: Susan W | October 6, 2008 4:01 PM
ad hoc should read ad hominem. Hope Bruce doesn't go after me for making an editing mistake.
Posted by: Susan W | October 6, 2008 4:40 PM
Wow, the RNC coming back to life??
What happened, a new pace-maker?
Perhaps the thought of losing the White House to someone with no accomplishments to speak of?
Shudder to think.
Posted by: Mephisto | October 6, 2008 5:57 PM
Silly Jeffy,
Why would a candidate waste precious time in the final leg of a campaign dealing with RNC's abuse of the system? Up here in WI, the repuglican attorney general JB VanHollan is already suing the state to disallow presumably democratic voters. (WORTH A STORY SWAMP?!) So while the RNC’s tries to fraudulently throw another election in court, they are sure sending out enough absentee ballot requests so they can “vote early, vote often”. What a bunch of crooks. It is very likely that WI will be the FL of this election……unfortunately. Thankfully, it will not even be close enough to worry about though.
Posted by: xcellentform | October 6, 2008 11:28 PM
Obama's latest contributor: $7,722 from "Dahsudhu Hdusahfd of Df, Hawaii with the following employer CZXVC/ZXVZXV and Uadhshgu Hduadh listed as living in Dhff, Florida listed their employer as DASADA/SAFAS"
Can't wait to see the Obamabots say there's nothing to this story again,
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/06/cbsnews_investigates/main4504955.shtml
Posted by: Jeff | October 7, 2008 8:50 AM