Barack Obama doesn't have any proof that the conservatives he's targeted this week have used foreign money in political ads but he's leveled the accusations anyway. Even the liberal New York Times and Baltimore Sun recoiled at Obama's unsubstantiated smears.
But a closer examination shows that there is little evidence that what the chamber does in collecting overseas dues is improper or even unusual, according to both liberal and conservative election-law lawyers and campaign finance documents.In fact, the controversy over the Chamber of Commerce financing may say more about the Washington spin cycle -- where an Internet blog posting can be quickly picked up by like-minded groups and become political fodder for the president himself -- than it does about the vagaries of campaign finance.
Organizations from both ends of the political spectrum, from liberal ones like the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and the Sierra Club to conservative groups like the National Rifle Association, have international affiliations and get money from foreign entities while at the same time pushing political causes in the United States.
In addition, more than 160 political action committees active in campaigning have been set up by corporations that are based overseas, including military contractors like B.A.E. Systems and pharmaceutical giants like GlaxoSmithKline, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research service.
Such groups, which collectively have spent hundreds of millions dollars on political causes to advance their agenda, are required by law to ensure that any foreign money they receive is isolated and not used to finance political activities, which would violate a longstanding federal ban. The Chamber of Commerce says it has a vigorous process for ensuring that does not happen, and no evidence has emerged to suggest that is untrue.
Here is what's so appalling to me: The ad makes the totally unsubstantiated charge that the Chamber of Commerce is taking money from foreign interests and using it to "steal our democracy." And worse, President Obama is out on the campaign trail, according to the New York Times, creating an echo chamber by making the same reckless claims just as the ad hits the airwaves. And when CBS newsman Bob Schieffer Sunday asks David Axelrod if there is any proof for the claim, the senior Obama aide says they don't need proof -- it's up to the Chamber of Commerce to prove it isn't true.The Democratic National Commitee is using the same sort of tactic and logic that Sen. Joe McCarthy used in the 1950s: Level a headline-grabbing and unsubstantiated charge, like the State Department is filled with communists, and then say it is up to the State Department and the employees so charged to prove it is not true.
So much for hope and change; this is the politics of fear, slander and divisiveness on the eve of an election that looks as if it could deliver a damning verdict on the first two years of the Obama administration.
Here's the ad in which the Democrats accuse the Chamber of Commerce, Ed Gillespie, and Karl Rove are taking "secret foreign money" to "steal our democracy."
Truly disgusting. I saw Dana Perino on Fox News today who said, "when this used to be America," the accuser had to prove the accusations, but in Obama's new altered state of reality in which we all now live, he and his minions can make any accusations they want, and the accused have to prove the charges are not true. Last year Thomas Friedman expressed his wish that America would to turn into China for a day. It seems his wish is coming true.
Glenn Reynolds reminds us all, however, that the issue of foreign sources of campaign funds dogged the Obama campaign in 2008:
NEW YORK TIMES: Obama's "foreign money" claims are bogus. They're also pretty rich, considering how his 2008 campaign handled foreign credit cards. From that National Journal story: "The lack of a computerized address-verification system would allow the Obama campaign's computers to accept online donations from U.S. citizens above legal limits, and to accept donations from foreigners who are barred by law from contributing at all." Perhaps its time to remind people of that issue again. Oh, wait, I just did!Here's more on that from 2008: "A breakdown of controls has enabled foreign and other unaccountable funds to pour into the Obama campaign -- and it's not an accident."
Plus, from the Washington Post: Obama Accepting Untraceable Donations. "Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is allowing donors to use largely untraceable prepaid credit cards that could potentially be used to evade limits on how much an individual is legally allowed to give or to mask a contributor's identity, campaign officials confirmed. Faced with a huge influx of donations over the Internet, the campaign has also chosen not to use basic security measures to prevent potentially illegal or anonymous contributions from flowing into its accounts, aides acknowledged."
Glenn has many more links to news outlets that were concerned about foreign campaign donations to the Obama campaign.
Update: Michelle Malkin has meticulously chronicled how easy the Obama campaign made it for foreigners to donate directly to his campaign.
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Comments (31)
Next thing you know he'll b... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Joe Miller | October 11, 2010 4:07 PM | Score: 12 (14 votes cast)
Next thing you know he'll be saying that Palin's not qualified to be President. Isn't this Projection?
1. Posted by Joe Miller | October 11, 2010 4:07 PM |
Score: 12 (14 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 16:07
2. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 4:35 PM | Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Yes Joe, its projection 101 from the classless clueless low life in cheif.
He has no accomplishments to campaign on and candidates cant get away from the loser fast enough to avoid hitting the bottom of the north atlantic.
2. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 4:35 PM |
Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 16:35
3. Posted by WildWillie | October 11, 2010 4:54 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Can you spell desperation? This too will fail as does everything he touches. ww
3. Posted by WildWillie | October 11, 2010 4:54 PM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 16:54
4. Posted by Grace | October 11, 2010 5:03 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Despicable.
Glad the lame stream media is finally paying attention and outing at least some of the destructive nonsense this president is saying.
4. Posted by Grace | October 11, 2010 5:03 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 17:03
5. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 5:16 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Barry can feel his narcissistic utopia with him as the dictator slippin away.
Its over Barry, you and all your dumbobots can leave the country now. And take those hollywierdo fools who said they were leaving when BOOOOSH won with you.
5. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 5:16 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 17:16
6. Posted by jim m | October 11, 2010 5:23 PM | Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
I'd like to thank the President for bringing up the subject of his illegal campaign donations and the unethical means by which he raised money for his campaign. This issue was completely dead until he unwisely opened it up again. Joe Biden must be contagious.
6. Posted by jim m | October 11, 2010 5:23 PM |
Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 17:23
7. Posted by jim m | October 11, 2010 5:31 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Oh... And nobody is buying Axelrod's spin on this.
When asked what evidence the Administration had that the GOP and conservative groups were taking foreign money he said, "Prove that they're not." Sorry pal. Guilty until proven innocent is unAmerican and so are you.
7. Posted by jim m | October 11, 2010 5:31 PM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 17:31
8. Posted by GarandFan | October 11, 2010 5:40 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
I'm waiting for the spin from Dane, Bruce Henry, and galoob.
I'm sure they can educate us as to why The One is correct and we are wrong.
8. Posted by GarandFan | October 11, 2010 5:40 PM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 17:40
9. Posted by Neo | October 11, 2010 5:50 PM | Score: 1 (15 votes cast)
9. Posted by Neo | October 11, 2010 5:50 PM |
Score: 1 (15 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 17:50
10. Posted by TexBob | October 11, 2010 6:06 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Illegal foreign credit card contributions.....Never bothered to be checked....
Bueller.........Bueller.......
The Pot (Hussein) Meet Kettle (Clinton).
10. Posted by TexBob | October 11, 2010 6:06 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 18:06
11. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 6:28 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
"I'm waiting for the spin from Dane, Bruce Henry, and galoob.
I'm sure they can educate us as to why The One is correct and we are wrong."
Lol, they are off the computer until their rooms are cleaned.
11. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 6:28 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 18:28
12. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | October 11, 2010 6:52 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
This from the party bought and paid for by George Soros. Psychotic projection.
12. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | October 11, 2010 6:52 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 18:52
13. Posted by GarandFan | October 11, 2010 6:57 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Even George isn't giving them money this time around. George only backs winners.
13. Posted by GarandFan | October 11, 2010 6:57 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 18:57
14. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 7:13 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
At least Carter had the humility to bow out when he made a mess of the economy.
Ole' jugg ears trashes everything he touches and is not embarrassed to be an affirmative joke. He still thinks he can win. Ha hahahahaahha
14. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 7:13 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 19:13
15. Posted by Jay Guevara | October 11, 2010 7:32 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Next up: Barry will say Palin can't be President because her citizenship and loyalty is uncertain.
Seriously, he must have balls the size of coconuts.
15. Posted by Jay Guevara | October 11, 2010 7:32 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 19:32
16. Posted by dries | October 11, 2010 7:36 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Wasn't BHO's own election paid for by foreign donations?
He himself may be a biggest such donation in history of US. Louisiana & Alaska bought at garage sale prices are nothing when compared to awesomeness of current Kenyan-Hawaiian deal.
16. Posted by dries | October 11, 2010 7:36 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 19:36
17. Posted by DaveD | October 11, 2010 8:15 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Let me get this straight. The Democrats have an ad out on stealing democracy after Barry's, Pelosi's and Reid's performances these past two years? What are they thinking, that irony attracts votes?
17. Posted by DaveD | October 11, 2010 8:15 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 20:15
18. Posted by LiberalNItemare | October 11, 2010 8:18 PM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Sometimes it seems like Obama is purposefully trying to make liberals regret voting for him.
Go Obama!
18. Posted by LiberalNItemare | October 11, 2010 8:18 PM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 20:18
19. Posted by CZ | October 11, 2010 8:28 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
.
How much poo can a poo flinger fling if a poo flinger could fling poo?
.
This new breed of poo flingers don't even bother to wash their hands.
.
19. Posted by CZ | October 11, 2010 8:28 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 20:28
20. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 8:32 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Either Barry is dumber then a box of rocks? Or he is sabotaging Bill and Shillary because he hates whitey and America? Of course all of the above could be true.
20. Posted by 914 | October 11, 2010 8:32 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 20:32
21. Posted by recovered liberal democrat | October 11, 2010 8:43 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
These guys are a conservatives dream come true. They still haven't a clue as to the reason they are getting killed in the voter polls. They can't keep their mouths shut. It's going to be a great November. Sweet November. I see over a hundred seats in the House and a majority in the Senate. Obamalala will be a one term mistake. And, if we are really lucky Billary and Obamalala will beat each other up in the primaries and lose as a ticket together. Then we will be rid of both for a while. I say a while because liberals never go away. They just smell like it.
21. Posted by recovered liberal democrat | October 11, 2010 8:43 PM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 20:43
22. Posted by Oyster | October 11, 2010 8:44 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
The ad is hilarious. Cronies! Shills! Big Business! It's got all the buzzwords. And "stealing our democracy?" Our democracy, you know, the Democrats democracy. They're stealing it! They want to ruin everything! Mwahahaha....
What tripe.
22. Posted by Oyster | October 11, 2010 8:44 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 20:44
23. Posted by GarandFan | October 11, 2010 9:13 PM | Score: 13 (13 votes cast)
The Chamber of Commerce should tell Barry; "You show us all your 2008 funding, we'll show you ours.
The silence that follows will be deafening.
23. Posted by GarandFan | October 11, 2010 9:13 PM |
Score: 13 (13 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 21:13
24. Posted by TexBob | October 11, 2010 9:59 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
GarandFan just nailed it.
24. Posted by TexBob | October 11, 2010 9:59 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 21:59
25. Posted by John | October 11, 2010 10:19 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
The Chamber should run an ad with Axlegreese saying they have to prove they didn't. Can't you see it now, "remember when in our country the government had to prove their accusations? Want to live in THAT country again? VOTE this November"
25. Posted by John | October 11, 2010 10:19 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 11, 2010 22:19
26. Posted by OregonMuse | October 12, 2010 12:25 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
So... if Barry is such a big fan of full disclosure, why hasn't he released any of his grade transcripts, college course-work, Annenberg Foundation notes and records, or long form birth certificate?
26. Posted by OregonMuse | October 12, 2010 12:25 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 12, 2010 00:25
27. Posted by Sir Toby Belch | October 12, 2010 2:35 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well hell! The Dems have been using Monopoly
money for ages now....and a lot of "Get out
of jail free" cards.
27. Posted by Sir Toby Belch | October 12, 2010 2:35 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 12, 2010 02:35
28. Posted by Les Nessman | October 12, 2010 9:11 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"So... if Barry is such a big fan of full disclosure, why hasn't he released any of his grade transcripts, college course-work, Annenberg Foundation notes and records, or long form birth certificate?
26. Posted by OregonMuse "
Exactly.
(Which I think was the point "9. Posted by Neo | October 11, 2010 5:50 PM |" was trying to make, but for some reason he's getting negative votes.)
28. Posted by Les Nessman | October 12, 2010 9:11 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 12, 2010 09:11
29. Posted by Roy | October 12, 2010 11:04 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Next they'll be complaining about the GOP using fake white pillars on their campaign stage.
29. Posted by Roy | October 12, 2010 11:04 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 12, 2010 11:04
30. Posted by WildWillie | October 12, 2010 4:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It has been discovered that Joe Biden received campaign contributions from NAMBLA over the years. Obama has received contributions from the MexTex drug cartel. I think that is shameful. ww
30. Posted by WildWillie | October 12, 2010 4:18 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 12, 2010 16:18
31. Posted by John Stark | October 13, 2010 8:47 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Chinagate 1996
A Clinton is still in office.
'Chung made forty-nine separate visits to the White House between February 1994 and February 1996. Chung was eventually convicted of bank fraud, tax evasion, and two counts of conspiring to violate election law. John Huang, was another major figure convicted. According to U.S. Secret Service logs, Huang visited the White House 78 times while working as a DNC fund-raiser. An unclassified U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs report issued in 1998 stated that [other Chinagate figures] "had a long-term relationship with a Chinese intelligence agency" '
I bet most of those Flying Tigers volunteer pilots that were still around in the 1990s were a touch angry!
31. Posted by John Stark | October 13, 2010 8:47 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 13, 2010 08:47