McCain’s New FEC Violation: Asks Russia For Campaign Money
McCain’s September 29, 2008, letter to the Russian U.N. Mission Ambassador Vitaly Churkin:
From UN Dispatch
Dear Friend…Today I am reaching out to you to ask you to sign and return the enclosed 2008 Pledge of Support along with a campaign contribution of $35, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $2,500 or even $5,000 to the McCain-Palin Victory 2008.
As we have already witnessed, this has been an extremely tough, hard-fought campaign, and it will be to the very end.
In recent years, elections have been fought within the margins of small differences. This one clearly will not be. The differences between our Republican candidates and that of the Obama Democrats could not be greater. And we intend to fight as hard as we can to ensure that our principles prevail.
Today, The Russian U.N. Mission posted a statement on their web site
STATEMENT ON FUND RAISING LETTER FROM JOHN MCCAIN ELECTION CAMPAIGN
We have received a letter from Senator John McCain requesting financial contribution to his Presidential campaign.
In this connection we would like to reiterate that Russian officials, the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations or the Russian Government do not finance political activity in foreign countries.
I’m not sure how team McCain could have missed this prohibition considering the FEC dedicated a whole page to it. From the FEC website
The Prohibition
The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment.
Who is a Foreign National?
The following groups and individuals are considered “foreign nationals” and are, therefore, subject to the prohibition:
- Foreign governments;
- Foreign political parties;
- Foreign corporations;
- Foreign associations;
- Foreign partnerships;
- Individuals with foreign citizenship; and
- Immigrants who do not have a “green card.”
I guess there aren’t enough Americans coughing up the cash to help team disaster get into the White House.
Sphere: Related Content
October 21st, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Thats how stupid McCain is.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Yes we have dumb and dumber on the GOP ticket. Country First!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I don’t see anything to suggest that this wasn’t simply a form letter than went out to every address.
There is nothing that suggests the McCain campaign directly solicited money from Russian ambassadors; I suspect many other entities that are unable to vote (or give money) received the same letter addressed “Dear Friend.”
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Will Robinson:
Yes I accept that the letter was in error and it was a standard letter. Running filters on a mailing list database is a no brainier. Especially to foreign countries.
It shows that no one is monitoring what is going on in the McCain Campaign. Their sloppy actions are alarming. It makes you wonder how sloppy and careless would a McCain administration be.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
[...] nytexan at Bluebloggin points out just how McCain and Palin are alike with their FEC violations. We’ve gone from 8 years of the “emperor has no clothes” to “the empress has new clothes.” The GOP is priceless. Palin is following in McCain’s footsteps for FEC violations, what a pair of mavericks. CREW Files FEC Complaint Against Palin. And, for McCain, apparently he and Palin have an affection for Russia; McCain’s New FEC Violation: Asks Russia For Campaign Money. [...]