Republicans say local Democrats broke campaign law (Seattle)

[PfcHammer]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001903889_financiers15m.html

Republicans say local Democrats broke campaign law

By David Postman
Seattle Times chief political reporter

In its complaint alleging an illegal Democratic fund-raising conspiracy, President Bush's campaign and the Republican National Committee single out 27 elite donors who they say knowingly broke federal campaign law.

Five of the big contributors are from the Seattle area: Costco co-founders Jeff Brotman and James Sinegal, software entrepreneur and environmental philanthropist Paul Brainerd, investor James Roush and RealNetworks founder Rob Glaser.

<snip>

"The RNC strategy is clearly to chill contributor support for issue groups opposing Bush administration policy," said Wes Boyd, president of MoveOn.org's Voter Fund, which is named in the Republican complaint. "But attempts to intimidate are simply not working, and maybe even backfiring. People seem even more motivated to give when they hear that the RNC is pursuing intimidation. Americans don't like thugs and bullies."

<snip>

Seattle attorney Goldman thinks the complaint by the GOP and the Bush campaign is a sign they are worried about prodigious Democratic fund raising this year.

"These guys are just crying foul because they didn't expect the Democratic side to have any money to do this stuff," Goldman said. "It kind of upsets them a little bit that maybe the playing field will be even."

[cjbuchanan]

1. Got to stop our money

Because money is the only advantage they have in elections.

[fearnobush]

2. I think I'll give an other $25 to MoveOn.

*uck the Evil GOP. I know not all Repugs are evil but the RNC and their Nazi like political machine are quite disturbing and must be dealt with a all cost.

[Mithras61]

3. Their complaint is all based on a supposition..

Specifically, the RNC supposes that these organizations are "coordinating their efforts with the DNC/Kerry Campaign."

While I don't know what (if any) communications have taken place between them and the Kerry campaign, I'd be far more likely to believe that the Kerry Campaign is responding to the pressures created by these organizations and the response the public is having to them than the other way around. Most of these organizations have been hitting the same themes for a long time now, and Kerry is seeing the light.

They are also supposing that the FEC will uphold their complaint/petition and rule that 527 organizations are inherently political (even though the Congress & SCOTUS specifically excluded them from the latest CFR act). That means the RNC thinks it can get the FEC to over-rule the SCOTUS and Congress. Interesting thinking, that.

[liarliartieonfire]

4. Agreed, Its time to send another donation!

Re-thugs do not own this campaign. I'll continue to donate to my preferred candidate, OR to any corporation willing to take a stand against Bush White House.
A rude awakening is due for the Rethugs who have become used to having it their way via cries of God & patriotism.
I'm sick of the bullies.
Taking Back America means knowing and trusting our ability to abide by laws and ignoring the rethug bullying of fear and threats of lawsuits.
We no longer BOW DOWN to these liars. We know them for what they are. And we have a strong and powerful group of people leading the way.
I'll donate again, and again.

[progressivebydesign]

5. I shop almost exclusively at Costco!!

.. and I'll keep on doing it. For once, a company where I can shop and not feel like I"m enriching GOP corporate bitches! Yay!

[sandnsea]

6. Citizens United

They were at the FEC hearing and testified against making changes to the 527 laws as well.

In 2003 they spent $2,000,000 on a support the Bush Agenda campaign including "upbeat photos of the President", a 2004 Bush calendar highlighting his achievements, and tv ads supporting the war on terror. But they don't expressly advocate the election or defeat of Bush. And they created an ad spoofing Senator Kerry as a "man of the people", which also didn't expressly advocate the election or defeat of Mr. Kerry.

This is all from their statement to the FEC, http://www.fec.gov/pdf/nprm/political_comm_status/boss.pdf

http://www.fec.gov/pdf/nprm/political_comm_status/hearing.html

I just do not understand why Democrats don't call the Republican groups out on their hypocrisy.

[2Design]

7. Great idea !!!! we need a list of companies supporting dems and repubs

Does anyone know where we can get a list of all companies who are ONLY supporting dems?

Also a list of ALL companies who are supporting repubs.

Then we can BOYCOTT repub supported goods.

We would need to know the parent company and all of their little children......so many of these companies own other companies.

We need to use money as our power just like they are. If we can successfully boycott companies or their many subsidaries that are not supportive of progressive ideas.....

Like staying very far away from Walmart. They are paying third world wages here and abroad and against american benefits, values in the work place. PLUS they are a huge repub donator...

So help me find a list or make a list and lets get it's link permanently posted on all of these alternative sites.......

We truly can make a difference especially if we hit their pockets by staying away from their companies as employees or as consumers....

If we fill the pockets of those for our values and empty the pockets of those against our values......now this would be truly great

What do you think?

[PaDUer]

8. The R's are shit scared...

they're crying foul for whatever while THEY break ALL the laws.