Political Punch

Jake, Jake, Jake, are you going to bring this up again? The difference between the 527s organized to raise money on behalf of Edwards is that one of his campaign managers quit before the 2004 election caucuses in order to organize 527's and a current campaign manager quit to do the same just recently in 2007 to organize 527’s for Edwards. Both in 2004 and 2007 these organizations have raised large sums of money to run tv and radio attack ads against Obama with false information. Edwards cannot claim no association with the 527 when one of his own staff organized the 527. Campaign finance law forbids a candidate any association with a 527 independent organization.

As Obama has stated so clearly, he has no association with Vote Hope.

Our No. 1 Rule as Obama supporters is to lead by example. Most of us haven't bought a bumper sticker or button outside of Obama's Union Shop Made in the USA online store, where every dime is counted as a donation and accounted for.

If Obama had not come out vocally, and made sure that all of us volunteers were told and passed the word on, the VoteHope 527 would've made millions more than it's raised. If you doubt that, check out the 100 million that individual, mostly low-to-mid-income supporters like me, who's living poverty level on disability, have given to Obama. Most of us can't even afford to give the limit of $2,300 for the primary.

I've personally wooed several VoteHope people away from the 527 into the above-board campaign. Obama is a huge name for selling anything (just check out these articles that say nothing new, obfuscate the facts, but draw your attention with Obama's name!). So, I repeat, there are no trained-by-Camp Obama nor well-informed Obama supporters and certainly no Obama former advisers giving to or fundraqising VoteHope. There are no former Obama advisers running VoteHope, and no union members' dues are being used to lobby or send out mailers or buy ads with VoteHope.

Until liberals stop trying to use Republican tactics to set up fundraising schemes and make themselves important fundraisers, nothing will change. We each have to donate, individually, above-board, giving our employer's name, directly to the campaign, or these underhanded tactics will never stop. Now get back to the issues and getting out the vote, and starve those self-serving 527s and PACs out of existence. They were supposedly started as self-defense against Republican-sponsored ones. Now they're used by Democrats against each other. How effective is that?

I don't see this as being that big of a deal.

I'm sure Obama has to run his campaign....so I doubt he has the time to say, EVERY SINGLE DAY, that people should support him and not these 527 groups. Give me a break!!!

Unlike Edwards' situation, this 527 has no connection to Obama. It's not like he can call his old advisor and tell him to stop. He's not connected to this at all.

527's ARE unfair. There is absolutely no reason for them, and if they are doing this to help Obama, they are doing so against his wishes and against his stated policy. People can donate directly through his website, and hundreds of thousands have and continue to do so.

To equate strangers setting up a group for Obama to Edward's former staff member setting up a group for Edwards is below Mr. Trappers usual journalistic integrity.

To tell you the truth, both Edwards and Obama insist on breaking free from lobbying interests. Both tower above Hillary Clinton on the need to stop influence peddling in government. Senator Obama has passed legislation for transparency in government so that the public can see where the money comes from. No other candidate for the presidency has shown this kind of determination to stop undue influence.

Senator Obama has not accepted donations from Vote Hope nor is he responsible for that organization! He does not accept contributions from federal lobbyists, corporations or PACs. All donors are required to list their employer and occupation, and that data is made public under federal law. Some private organizations use this data to track the contributions of people employed in an industry (or a profession or corporation), and then say that the "industry" has contributed. In fact, individuals employed in that particular industry have donated.

Also note that people can donate in their own name only and may only use personal funds. It is against federal law for a company to give money to its employees in order for it to be donated to a federal campaign.

Just more Obamafuscation.
1)I am against all 527s
2)well that 527 is run by someone who knows Edwards so
3)the outside ads supporting me are from a PAC not a 527
4)I can't do anyting about the pro-Obama ads since they are from a 527
5)I never said anything about 527s

Typical from the Obama campaign.

Good grief...

This group hasn't put up an ad yet and all of you are this freaked out?

Wonder what would happen in this room if something real happened.

Great reporting...got nothing to do but have a national platform? Spread speculation.

Get back to me when something really happens will ya?

(walks away shaking her head)

Don't you have to, you know, actually ask the candidate about this issue before you assume he "went silent" on it?

The sentence the entire piece is based on is a case study in weasle wording: "But some suggest Obama has gotten mighty silent on the subject...." Hmm. Some people (such as?) suggest (you mean they don't come right out and say it?) he has gotten mighty (wow, that's pretty silent) silent (have they asked for a response?) on the subject...."

You end the story with a question. I have one for you: Is it that hard to pick up the phone and ask the campaign for a response?

Will the other national media or local press in SC actually report on this? Sadly I won't hold my breath as they seem in love with Obama.

For the record JL, Obama has also received large sums of money from Hsu.

ASSOCIATED PRESS-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has lot of explaining to do. He voted against requiring medical care for aborted fetuses who survive. He supported allowing retired police officers to carry concealed weapons, but opposed allowing people to use banned handguns to defend against intruders in their homes. And the list of sensitive topics goes on. With only a slim, two-year record in the U.S. Senate, Obama doesn't have many controversial congressional votes which political opponents can frame into attack ads. But his eight years as an Illinois state senator are sprinkled with potentially explosive land mines, such as his abortion and gun control votes. recent land purchase from a political supporter who is facing charges in an unrelated kickback scheme involving investment firms seeking state business. Abortion opponents see Obama's vote on medical care for aborted fetuses as a refusal to protect the helpless. Some have even accused him of supporting infanticide.

Obama he has managed to avoid media bias that’s been against Clinton. "Obama, through an unprecedented convergence of luck has never before faced serious attack yet, Media refuses to show he is a phony, someone whose lofty rhetoric isn't born out in his own public record. WELL UNTIL SENATOR CLINTON BEAT HIM IN NH…Now his lack of foreign policy experience and showing he isn’t ready to lead in a dangerous world. His votes in the Senate to fund the Iraq war even as he tried to position himself as the strongest anti-war candidate. facts show he always supports the war, voted twice in 2006 against bringing America's troops back home, votes for war appropriations giving our money to Halliburton and Blackwater, voted with Bush on posturing S 433 which allows the Bush to suspend any troop withdrawal! Record also shows Obama faced with tough choices always gave in to pressure from Bush admin and corporate lobbyists. Obama voted for Bush's energy bill, sending more than $13 billion in subsidies and tax breaks to oil, coal, and nuclear companies, voted with Repub to allow credit card companies to raise interest rates over 30 percent, increasing hardship for families. "He talks about change but has no real record of making change. Lastly his use of the race card will not play well nationally, We are absolutely sick of obama saying hes not running on race, but thats all he offering and all we are talking about!!!!, he is a self proclaimed Black Racist. Again media attacks Romneys Mormon faith but refuses to discuss obama church. Go to website to know what he believes. I think the media needs to be held accountable!

Obama's campaign is a media created fairy tale with a lot of empty talk of "change" and "hope". Many good hearted and honest people fell to it. The media has been fiercely protecting him from any criticism of his lies on his record and preventing American people from hearing the voice of other candidates, especially from Edwards.

Bill Clinton has done American people a favor exposing what Obama and his campaign really are. If only the media can keep their reporting honest and balanced, people will soon recognize what a dirty politician Obama is.

Gevill, He did provide connections. The head of the 527 in Iowa was Edwards' old campaign chair!!

Also Billary pardons Marc Rich and then Denise Rich gives them $100,000. Then 3 other crooks Bill pardoned donate to Hillary's campain. What about Norman Hsu. So all you guys trying to say Obama is as dirty as Clinton, the evidence does not support it.

Obama 08

Obama campaign are playing double standards with the 527 in the same way they are doing with everything. For Obama to go out and talk against the politics as usual when his campaign is doing all the "usual and new tricks on the books, is laughable. Is like when he talk about having a good judgment. what about his deal with Rezko the story that finally is out on the open and it will be even more then the trial begins in Feb 25 here in Chicago. That's one story the Obama people don't want to deal with; Obama deals with Rezko are a much different story; Rezko a very well known guy here in Illinois was flying high with all the Democratic machine from the big political guys in Springfield to Chicago. Rezko with Obama was not just a fund riser or as Obama said this week he jsut worked 5 hours in his firm, Obama has giving Obama campaigns thousands of dollars and their friendship goes back to 15 years! Rezko shady deals were well know, Obama knew that, Obama knew Rezko was a crook; but like always happen in Chicago nobody cares, "what you do in Illinois stays in Illinois." The Democratic machine, the bunch of politicians and including the people around the current Governor have tried to stop this trial that is about to start; the Feds prevail and now they will have some explaining to do. Obama himself have changed his story in the way he met the guy many times, he has been inconsistent and is very troubling, even if Obama hasn't don't anything wrong it shows the lack of good judgment and weakness on his personality that make him look like a total different Obama to the one he and his campaign is trying to market. It goes to show Obama is just like any other politician!

"Get the connections you assert and then report!"

Obama shot his mouth off about Edwards without providing any connections.
Read the story which you clearly did not do. Do as Obama supporters say and not as they do right?

What groundbreaking reporting!! Are there any facts? Just speculation!! Whay is this allowed to be a story. Get the connections you assert and then report!!
Anyway, waht about Hillary's campaign treasurer David Rosen being indicted for hiding contributions and her treasurer Andrew Gross also indicted!! (Google Hillary Clinton and campaign finance)

Go Obama!!

(J)Actually the Clinton campaign is funding a 527 to attack themselves and then blaming me. (contibuted by Mom of 3 in GA)

I want to make you aware of something. Historically, opposing candidates have set up websites, automated phone messaging, negative mailers, etc. in attempt to make it "appear" as if such info is coming from a particular camp. It's an underhandid political tactic that's been going on for years. Let's see...who do we know that would benefit from acting on such tactics, which have been prevalent in NH, Iowa, and recently, Georgia.....? You've already posted Senator Obama's response regarding this issue. Why should he be "prodded" into repeatedly saying what he's already said -- HE WASN'T AWARE OF THE SITE. I think he has more important things on his daily agenda than to repeatedly respond to such silliness.

T.P. - please go ahead and vote for Obama while you have the chance. He won't be around in November.\\Why do you assume everyone who does not worship at the Obama altar is a Clinton supporter. Myself, I want our President to be competent. He isn't.

If you notice, whenever Obama is asked about Vote Hope, Rezko, or anything that smacks of "politics as usual" he points the finger back at Hillary as playing "politics as usual" for raising it. You just can't have it both ways. You can't just talk the talk. You've got to walk the walk, as they say.

What SHOULD/CAN a candidate do if a 527 is formed ostensibly to support him/her and they truly **want** them to stop, want to disassociate themselves effectively? How far can they go? If we're going to criticize a candidate for "allowing" these things (as I certainly did Bush re: the Swiftboaters!), we need to know what standard they can be held to. Does anyone know?

I've read each of these posts. This story bears no weight and each of you negative, cynical posters have a lot of maturing to do. I'm uncommitted but have noticed one trend - Clinton supporters seem so full of anger and rage. Most of what they say re: Obama is sarcastic and demeaning. I haven't found this with Obama supporters. Seems to be a trend. Hmmm...I think I'm leaning Obama.

Vote Hope have been in California already for a while and Obama campaign knew that at the same time they were attacking Edwards, it goes to shows how hypocrite is his candidate. I have always said it, Obama will not bring any change to the White House. All the change is changing the Texan gang of bandits for the Chicago gang of super bandits. Obama should talk publicly against Obama hope in California with the same fury he criticized the 527 group that was advertising for Edwards in Iowa.; but we should not expect that to happen, remember that even in the case of Rezko that now is in the news, Obama has changed his story 5 times in how he meet him or how long he met the fixer.

(I) This is "Swiftboating" (John Kerry responding for Obama)

geevill:

Brilliant. That is the problem when you fly with the holier than thou flag.

All you cons on here who talk about "lib corruption" have some gall. Your party (Republican) WROTE THE BOOK on use of PAC's, 527's, Swiftboating, corporate donated soft money. What about all the corruption the Cons hold dear? Nevermind voting multiple felons into office within the Republican party...and nevermind turning a blind eye to their criminal activity. All you cons can do is fingerpoint at the libs when you are guilty as Satan in your own right.

Diane Swayer : please could you ask Hillary if she returned Mr Peter Paul $$ too? or does she not know him still? I was depressed to see a video of her. Is she covering up something like in whitewater?
I'm a woman and she definitely gives me a bad name because without Bill's talking points she can't make it . I'm so sad.She is running on his record , where's hers? What economic background does she have? What's her experience based on? 35 years elected ? or what? how is she more experience than Barack Obama?
Diane fairness does not hurt, you've have a dislike for Barack Obama it is so obvious don't kid yourself , we see it.
Bravo

What surprises me is that this surprises anyone! come on A Lib not using a 527 paid for by your tax dollars institution to smear!!

How can anyone believe any of the libs nevermind vote for them with all the corruption they hold near.

Thanks to lib on the Republican side McCain this is all possible, he has allowed more undisclosed money to come into campaigns then ever before!

And all with your tax dollars!!

Wow a whole ten words before "racist" appears. What restraint by an Obama lover. Actually please do not do as Obaba does. Alcohol and drug abuse is not the answer.Neither is belonging to a racist, Farrakan honoring church.

You're forgetting the Prime Directive of Campaigning, Jake: a candidate is duty-bound to criticize anything which gives his or her opponents an advantage, but that same candidate must feign ignorance, shock, and surprise and keep quiet when his or her campaign is doing the very same thing. I think Vote Hope should just PAC it up and go!

A) I disapprove
B) I'm disappointed
C) It was a mistake
D) Never heard of them
E) Bill Clinton is behind this and is distorting my record
F) You are racist
G) Hillary worked for Wal-Mart
H) Barry Soetoro did it, not me