GOP Accuses Kerry of Using Soft Money

heartsurgeon

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2001
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans moved to stop pro-Democratic groups from spending millions to defeat President Bush, filing a federal complaint Wednesday that accuses John Kerry's campaign of illegally coordinating its political ads and get-out-the-vote activities with anti-Bush groups.

The GOP complaint reflected the concern among the Bush-Cheney team about the influence of the outside groups, which, combined with Kerry's campaign, nearly have matched the Republicans' ad buying. The complaint to the Federal Election Commission also was the first step in a case that could end up in the courts.

"They're making a mockery of what the rules are," Bush campaign chairman Marc Racicot said in unveiling the complaint. The GOP cited fund-raising solicitations, overlapping strategists and the timing of ads as proof that Kerry and the outside Democratic groups were coordinating their efforts.

Kerry's campaign dismissed the complaint as political gamesmanship.

"John Kerry and his campaign have nothing to do with these ads or the groups that run them," Michael Meehan, a senior adviser to Kerry, said in a statement.

 

sMiLeYz

Platinum Member
Feb 3, 2003
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Wait didn't Republicans just say the Campaign fiance laws are against freedom of speech, now they want to actually restrict the freedom of speech of these organizations?
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
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www.ShawCAD.com
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Trying to keep up with the Bush Mafia isn't easy.

So they need ways to affect politics from outside the regulated campaigns? Don't you think that if people really did support the DNC or the liberal cause that they would have no problem competing with the Right?

Anyway - I think the GOP and Bush should just drop it - which would send the signal for Conservatives to go gangbusters with 527s like the left has. I think it'd be fun to see the left whine and wail about it since they'd get beat at their own game.
Gotta love the political season:D

CkG
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,686
136
Gee, CkG, you act as if this has been proven, rather than merely alleged by the slime machine. From your perspective, I suspect there's no difference.

"Don't you think that if people really did support the DNC or the liberal cause that they would have no problem competing with the Right?"

Only on the level of fundraising and paid political advertising. If the right were so sure of their ability to compete on the level of policy and ideas, they'd limit their spending, give the leftovers to charity, right? They're oh-so compassionate conservatives, after all....

Maybe the reason we're not seeing ads from conservative 527's at the moment is that they're coordinating their campaign with the Bushies... Nah, couldn't be...


 

conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
58,686
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Ayup...since the Bush campaign has nothing on which to stand they have to attack Kerry who has nothing to do with moveon.org


Attack the character! Attack the character!
 

Bowfinger

Lifer
Nov 17, 2002
15,776
392
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Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
I think the Right should just beat them at their little game if that's the way they want to play:)

CkG
They always have. The Republicans invented this scam. The Dems are playing catch-up. Funny how the Republicans' story changes once the shoe is on the other foot.
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
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www.ShawCAD.com
Originally posted by: Bowfinger
Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
I think the Right should just beat them at their little game if that's the way they want to play:)

CkG
They always have. The Republicans invented this scam. The Dems are playing catch-up. Funny how the Republicans' story changes once the shoe is on the other foot.

:p Sure whatever Bow. The FACT is that there is new campaign laws that need to be addressed but since the left wants to play this game I say the Right should beat them at that game so then something might get done about it because right now the left will whine like little girls about any attempt to restrict it while they still have an "advantage" in 527s.

CkG
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
76
www.ShawCAD.com
Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Originally posted by:Jhhnn Gee, CkG, you act as if this has been proven, rather than merely alleged by the slime machine. From your perspective, I suspect there's no difference.

What else do you expect from the "Information Minister of the U.S.?"

Jhhhn is the Information Minister of the US? He seems to fit that title if you compare it to the Iraqi position:p HE sure doesn't have a clue on Unions -that much is sure.

CkG
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
76
www.ShawCAD.com
Originally posted by: Jhhnn
Gee, CkG, you act as if this has been proven, rather than merely alleged by the slime machine. From your perspective, I suspect there's no difference.

"Don't you think that if people really did support the DNC or the liberal cause that they would have no problem competing with the Right?"

Only on the level of fundraising and paid political advertising. If the right were so sure of their ability to compete on the level of policy and ideas, they'd limit their spending, give the leftovers to charity, right? They're oh-so compassionate conservatives, after all....

Maybe the reason we're not seeing ads from conservative 527's at the moment is that they're coordinating their campaign with the Bushies... Nah, couldn't be...

Huh? I said -that they should drop this and then play the left's little game with 527s and beat them at it. I'm not sure where you get asinine assumptions that the charges are "proven" - because I said nothing of the sort.
Oh well - you've already shown that you can't follow topics or comprehend discussions(again the union threads) so I'll just let you wallow once again in your ignorance.:)

CkG
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,686
136
For a little balance on the subject-

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-03-31-gop-kerry-spend_x.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40573-2004Mar31.html

From the USAToday article-

-The Republican strategy is "a Hail Mary pass," said Trevor Potter, a Republican former FEC commissioner who heads the Campaign Legal Center. He said it would be "very difficult to prove coordination."-

And-

-But Republicans still could benefit, said Anthony Corrado, a campaign-finance expert at Colby College in Maine: "This is an effort to create doubts about these groups, to both slow the flow of contributions and to create a public impression that they are somehow doing something illegal."-

Basic innuendo campaign, FUD attack... "create a public impression"...

It'll probably end up like the rationale for invading Iraq- In the beginning, "We have proof!" after a great deal of hemming, hawing and obfuscating, "we're looking for intent to carry out WMD program related activities..."

They've got nada, except a bug up their behind that anti-Bush forces are spending money to toss him out... and a very strong desire to silence those forces, regardless of the means employed...



 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
2
0
They are only filing lawsuits cus it's cheaper publicity than buying TV spots. They are gonna get their 5 minutes of fame and drop it.
 

Ozoned

Diamond Member
Mar 22, 2004
5,578
0
0
Originally posted by: conjur
Ayup...since the Bush campaign has nothing on which to stand they have to attack Kerry who has nothing to do with moveon.org
ayup..thats what i,d do..Attack the lack of character!



One of many little nothings I have

"No one is better at demanding action and holding government accountable than MoveOn.Org ? and together
we can stop the Bush right-wing juggernaut"


Here is a copy of nothing on which to stand;

"March 5, 2004

Attention: Station Manager

To Whom It May Concern:

This is to inform you that the Moveon.org Voter Fund is currently airing or may be about to air advertisements on your station that violate federal election laws. Moveon.org Voter Fund is a non-federal political organization, a so-called ?Section 527? organization. Such organizations are restricted in spending their money to influence federal elections, but the advertisement(s) they seek to air is to help defeat President Bush?s re-election.

As a ?soft money? Section 527 organization, Moveon.org Voter Fund?s actions are in violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act and the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (collectively ?the Act?) and guidance issued by the Federal Election Commission. Moveon.org could have aired these ads through its federally registered separate segregated fund, but instead chose to use illegal ?soft money? in excess of the limits of federal law.

The First Amendment of our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and discussion of ideas. However, Congress has enacted laws, which were recently affirmed by the United States Supreme Court, that govern how campaign speech can be funded and conducted. Between now and November, our nation will engage in a debate that pits President Bush?s strong and steady leadership against others who seek to attack the President and engage in a vicious, negative campaign. We fully anticipate these attacks, and I write not because of the misleading allegations contained in the advertisement, which will be answered in due time, but because running this advertisement breaks the law.

As a broadcaster licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, you have a responsibility to the viewing public and to your licensing agency to refrain from complicity in any illegal activity, specifically in this case, violations of our nation?s Federal Election Laws. Since this is a third party political advertisement and not a candidate sponsored message, your station is under no obligation to broadcast this advertisement.

Moveon.org Voter Fund is Funding Its Federal Election Advertisements with Non-Federal Dollars, which is Illegal

The Moveon.org Voter Fund?s web site states that it ?primarily runs ads? in Presidential ?battleground? states in opposition to a federal candidate - President George W. Bush. The phrase ?battleground states? is a direct reference used in numerous media reports and in political strategy planning to refer to states that are viewed as key to the outcome of the 2004 Presidential election. According to press reports, Moveon.org?s purpose and motivation behind airing these advertisements is to counter the Bush campaign?s advertising and ?ensure that there is a Democratic presence on the TV airwaves in key states as Bush begins to make his case for re-election.?

Under the Act, any entity that spends or raises more than $1,000 in a calendar year ?for the purpose of influencing any election for federal office? must register as a federal political committee with the Commission. This is not self-selecting. Moveon.org Voter Fund?s television buy attacking or opposing a clearly identified candidate for federal office requires it to register and abide by the limits and source requirements of the Act.

The Federal Election Commission affirmed two weeks ago that any communication which ?promotes, supports, attacks or opposes? a federal candidate falls under the ?hard dollar? rules of the Act. AO 2003-27. The Supreme Court in McConnell v. FEC, 540 U.S. ____, 124 S.Ct. 619 at 675 n. 64, set the standard for determining whether communications that refer to a clearly identified federal candidate are for the purpose of influencing a federal election. The Federal Election Commission confirmed this by stating, ?communications that promote, support, attack or oppose a clearly identified Federal candidate? have a ?dramatic effect? on federal elections. AO 2003-37, at 3. Further, the Federal Election Commission said that donations in excess of the Act?s limits and prohibitions could not be used to fund this type of communication. AO 2003-37, at 9-10.

Even though the most recent Moveon.org Voter Fund reports filed with the Federal Election Commission indicate receipt of donations of $5,000 or less, these are not enough to cover the costs of Moveon.org?s ads. This means that they are paying for ads that ?promote, support, attack or oppose? a federal candidate with soft money that violates the prohibitions and limitations of the Act. The Moveon.org Voter Fund has filed ?electioneering communication? reports with the Commission indicating that it has received donations from individuals well in excess of the $5,000 maximum federal limit provided for in the Act. For example, the Moveon.org Voter Fund previously reported nearly $1.5 million in donations from George Soros and a $971,426.78 donation from ?Steven Bing,? along with many other similar donations that violate the $5,000 limit provided by federal law. In contrast, both political parties and their respective presidential campaigns pay for all of their advertisements with funds subject to the limits and prohibitions established by the Act.

The last two years have seen a long process of campaign finance reform. Elected officials from both parties have affirmatively declared that use of non-federal funds in a federal election is illegal. Senator John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) has said that ?McCain-Feingold?s goal and [its] objective, which I support, is to eliminate altogether the capacity of soft money to play the role that it does in our politics.? Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), one of the primary authors of the new campaign finance law has said, ?Some groups ?have recently been set up for the sole purpose of raising or spending tens of millions of dollars in soft money to influence the 2004 Presidential and congressional elections. ?.This blatant end run around the campaign finance laws should not be tolerated.? Moveon.org Voter fund is one of these groups evading the new campaign finance law.

Because the advertisement(s) clearly attacks or opposes President Bush, an identified candidate for federal office, and is being broadcast in states commonly considered crucial to the outcome of this Fall?s Presidential election, the Moveon.org Voter Fund cannot use soft money for this advertising and must register with the Federal Election Commission.

As you can plainly see from the information provided above, the Moveon.org Voter Fund is illegally funding the advertisements currently airing or about to be aired on your station. Now that you have been apprised of the law to prevent further violations of federal law, we urge you to remove these advertisements from your station?s broadcast rotation.

Sincerely,

Jill Holtzman Vogel Chief Counsel "


How hard is this to understand

Give the dems what they want and.........



Conjur, this link is for you
Please Help
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,686
136
Well, Ozoned, Kerry's appeal to MoveOn's membership in no way defines any coordination of their respective advertising campaigns, does it?

And this unsubstantiated allegation is the only basis for Ms Vogel's attempts to intimidate media outlets-

"Even though the most recent Moveon.org Voter Fund reports filed with the Federal Election Commission indicate receipt of donations of $5,000 or less, these are not enough to cover the costs of Moveon.org?s ads."

No numbers, of course, merely accusations.... more FUD. Rehashed FUD, actually- this letter campaign is old news. MoveOn exists as several different legal entities, each with different legal standing and financial basis. I seriously doubt that they have any need or would find any advantage in co-mingling funds across boundaries closely watched by their adversaries...

Here's their take on the Republican whining-

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040303/dcw057_1.html



 

Ozoned

Diamond Member
Mar 22, 2004
5,578
0
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Originally posted by: Jhhnn



No numbers, of course, merely accusations.



"The Moveon.org Voter Fund has filed ?electioneering communication? reports with the Commission indicating that it has received donations from individuals well in excess of the $5,000 maximum federal limit provided for in the Act. For example, the Moveon.org Voter Fund previously reported nearly $1.5 million in donations from George Soros and a $971,426.78 donation from ?Steven Bing,? along with many other similar donations that violate the $5,000 limit provided by federal law. In contrast, both political parties and their respective presidential campaigns pay for all of their advertisements with funds subject to the limits and prohibitions established by the Act"


As for Kerry

Kerry and moveon.org will be in the news in the near future..
;)
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,686
136
The MoveOn.org voter fund is a 527, not a PAC. They have a separate PAC-

http://www.moveonpac.org/

These two funds are governed by different sets of rules. The Bushies, of course, want to claim that the voter fund is a PAC, which it clearly is not.

A mere semantic difference? Perhaps. Republicans are no strangers to such distinctions, and tend to blur the lines more than anybody else. One of Bush's strongest congressional allies, Tom DeLay, is currently in danger of indictment for illegal money issues...