WTF FEC

[gab13by13]

See why I believe that Trump will never be held accountable? Michael Cohen went to prison for 3 years for campaign finance violations for his role in the 130k payoff to Stormy Daniels. Cohen even testifies to Congress that he did so at the direction of MF45. In the Mueller report MF45 was individual 1.

So what the fuck FEC? 3 Republican members and 3 Democratic members. So 2 Republicans vote not to prosecute MF45 the other Republican abstains so I'm thinking Ok that leaves 3 Democrats. So 2 Democrats vote to prosecute and 1 fucking Democrat never shows up to vote. I mean someone convince I am wrong when I feel that Trump will never be convicted of anything if he is allowed to skate in such an obvious case against him.

Who is this FEC Democrat who didn't show up to vote? Kick his or her ass off the commission.

Sorry but the insurrection just got another boost, no one is held accountable.

[lapucelle]

1. The member who did not vote (Steven Walther) is an Independent, not a Democrat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Election_Commission

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/06/politics/fec-democrats-punish-trump-hush-money-payment-stormy-daniels/index.html

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/552398-michael-cohen-stormy-daniels-blast-fec-for-dropping-trump-probe

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57029342

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_T._Walther

[mn9driver]

3. 4 of the 6 members were appointed by Trump. Sounds legit to me.

[gab13by13]

5. So why didn't the Independent vote?

Why do we have 3 Republicans and only 2 Democrats on a supposed bipartisan commission? Why do I have to ask these stupid questions?

Looking at the chart, Walther, the Independent, is only serving until a replacement is found. The freaking graph says the replacement's term expired already. Why do Democrats allow Republicans to delay putting members on the FEC? Why do I have to ask that stupid question. This matter with Trump should have been decided long ago but the FEC never had a quorum. Republicans are excellent in delaying everything and Democrats are excellent in allowing them to delay everything.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Trump could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and nothing would be done.

Now I suppose asking the DOJ to pursue this will be ridiculed in the MSM as Democrats attacking their opponents since the FEC already voted to allow Trump to skate with the mind boggeling reason that Michael Cohen was already punished. Why didn't they just say we don't want to pursue this because it is Friday?

We are complicit when we allow shit like this to go down.

[patphil]

34. According to the list shown, 3 of the 6 members are serving past their term expriation dates.

Time for President Biden to appoint some new members.

[malaise]

2. Who is the Dem

and did they get to this person?

[lapucelle]

4. Steven Walther didn't vote. He's an Independent, not a Democrat.

Here's what the two Democrats on the FEC had to say about the decision:

“To conclude that a payment, made 13 days before Election Day to hush up a suddenly newsworthy 10-year-old story, was not campaign-related, without so much as conducting an investigation, defies reality,” Chair Shana Broussard and Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub said in a statement Thursday. “But putting that aside, Cohen testified under oath that he made the payment for the principal purpose of influencing the election. This more than satisfies the Commission’s ‘reason to believe’ standard to authorize an investigation.”

[malaise]

6. Thanks for this

Nothing surprises me anymore

[gab13by13]

7. BS on this too.

The commission didn't need to hold an investigation whether to pursue this or not, there were already enough facts already available.

This is horrible. I ask again, if this commission is supposed to be bipartisan why are there 3 Republican and only 2 Democrats? Why not 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans? I will bet one dollar (that's my limit) that Democrats agreed to this make up of the commission to get the quorum, screw it, I bet 2 dollars.

[lapucelle]

10. Calling "BS" on facts in order to slam "the Democrats" isn't helpful.

Nor is claiming (counter to reality) that an actual Independent is a "fucking Democrat".

[NJCher]

18. Walther's Wikipedia entry

shows him to be a very accomplished person with a big interest in promoting democracy around the world.

However....there are some Russian connections. I am not saying there is a conspiracy or anything of the kind.

But it is interesting that this is the country he seems to focus on.

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Steven_T._Walther

Note: wikiwand is a graphic interface for Wikipedia. Hope the link works and if it doesn't just search:

Steven T. Walther wiki

[uponit7771]

8. I agree, I think Trump was a international Donnie brasco that got out of control. Now they're ....

Last edited Sat May 8, 2021, 10:27 AM - Edit history (1)

... breaking their Necks to make sure he doesn't go to jail

[gab13by13]

9. Look at the frigging chart,

this Independent guy's term expired years ago and he is serving until a replacement is found? WTF again, this puts him under president Obama's term. You mean this guy went right through Obama's and MF45's terms without being replaced? What kind of rinky dink government do we have?

So according to the chart, if this Independent gets replaced the new guy's term has already expired.

This Independent needs replaced by a Democrat and replaced now, that then makes the FEC a bipartisan commission.

I'm putting some whiskey in my coffee.

[zaj]

11. Blocked

[gab13by13]

13. Blocked isn't a good enough answer for me.

When Republicans obstruct Democrats need to fight fire with fire not just concede to them.

[uponit7771]

27. Right !!

[Bettie]

17. One of the Republicans' term has

already expired as well.

[gab13by13]

12. Before I go for my coffee,

I bet this Independent guy is really a Republican. Anyone know why he didn't vote?

See why Atticus posted his thread last night about people on cable news joking about serious issues? Last night Chris Hayes had on one of the Democratic FEC commissioners. Yes she stated how terrible this decision was but she laughed most of the time. When Chris asked her about why 1 member abstained and 1 member didn't show up to vote she just gave a sheepish smile and said I guess you will have to ask them. Hayes responded with a dig at her by saying I guess we'll have to try to get them on the show. Hayes then called out to his producer to look into the issue.

[NJCher]

14. this makes me sick

I didn't see Chris last night but I can watch it today. He does a good job of staying on it and I hope he grills the abstention and the independent.

This is a disgrace. If not under these circumstances, then never.

[jaxexpat]

15. It may soon become common wisdom to assume "Independent" QOP plant.

Certainly in non-elected positions.

[gab13by13]

16. Well I found out that 4 votes are needed,

by the commission to pass anything so 1 Republican would have had to vote to pursue the matter. I also looked up the Independent guy Walther and he seems OK, spent a lot of time lecturing in Russia for civil rights.

So the 1 Republican who abstained basically voted no since 4 votes were needed.

[NJCher]

19. so to whom

do we scream about this?

Nancy Pelosi?

Schumer?

Who?

[ancianita]

20. Yeah cuz SOMEbody's got to remake the FEC

Per wikipedia,

Presidents normally do have the authority to remove regular executive agency heads at will, but they must meet the statutory requirements for removal of commissioners of independent agencies, such as demonstrating incapacity, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or other good cause.[5]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_agencies_of_the_United_States_government

Sorry, but keeping true to campaign finance law sounds like "good cause" to me. This dropping of abuse of campaign money makes the FEC malfeasant. That's "good cause." And what's-her-face just shrugged at a dumbstruck Chris Hayes and told him he'd "have to ask the two who didn't vote." And so he says he'll invite them on his show. I'm sure they'll decline.

So yes, Joe should be WTF about this and reform that so-called independent agency.

[gab13by13]

21. Abolish the FEC,

As long as there are 3 Republicans on the commission nothing good will come of it seeing as the GQP is now the party of MF45, the anti-democratic pro authoritarian party. Save the money spent on the FEC and give it to charity.

What better proof is needed to abolish it with this latest travesty of justice.

[Budi]

23. Rofl...Of Course!!! Pelosi! Schumer! EXCUSE ME BUT...

The President nominates & the Senate confirms.
HOWEVER, before this BS gets predictably dumped on the Democrats, do note that TRUMP stacked the FEC deck in his favor, Dec 2020 right before leaving office, probably on the advice of McConnell who had full comtrol at the time.


SNIP From Dec 2020 WaPo:

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed three members to the Federal Election Commission, restoring the agency’s ability to conduct official business after months without a voting quorum and bringing the panel to its full slate of six members for the first time since 2017.

The confirmations come at the conclusion of the 2020 elections, which are projected to cost $14 billion and be the most expensive.

The commission, which regulates and enforces federal campaign finance laws, had a voting quorum for just 29 days in the summer. It has not been able to conduct official business for the majority of the 2019-2020 election cycle, amid mounting backlogs of complaints and advisory opinion requests.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-election-commission-vote/2020/12/09/68584e22-3a3e-11eb-bc68-96af0daae728_story.html%3foutputType=amp
--------


ALSO NOTE:
The Chairman of the FEC is a Trump appointed Republican.

I'm really surprised that the brilliant Chris Hayes wouldn't have included this in his breakdown of WHY this shit went south.

Why didn't he have the Independent on his show to answer for the decisions of the others?
What's up Mr Chris Hayes?
You could have done your homework & made this a segment on how Trump scrambled to cover his ass from pending prosecution in the final days.
BUT Nope!
Instead you brought on the Democrat to answer for the decisions of the rest, & now she's being villified for not doing what YOU MR. HAYES Should have done before even asking her on your show.

Oh there's a big story here to follow Mr Hayes. But it's not the Democrat...🙄💙

Ok sure...lets blame Pelosi & Schumer!!!

NO. LET's BLAME Hayes for doing a shitty half-assed piece on a issue that could have exposed the actual problem rather than use the face of a 'Democrat' who was not about to answer for the others.

BTW. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SPEAKER PELOSI nor SENATOR SCHUMER.

(It actually has nothing to do with Democrats either.)

[gab13by13]

28. Hayes did a good job

and vowed to follow up on it. I didn't see any other cable news anchor discuss the issue. As far as getting the Independent on the show, Hayes stated he would try to get him and the Republican who abstained, as someone else posted, I guess Hayes is being blocked getting those people on his show.

No one blamed Pelosi or Schumer. All the more reason to prioritize the election fairness bill, infrastructure won't do anything to prevent the loss of our democracy. President Biden has done way more than I expected but he needs to prioritize 1 main issue right now.

Election fairness has everything to do with Democrats, they need to counter what Republicans are doing. The FEC did recommend that Congress pass a bill outlawing the practice of recurring donations. That was discussed on Haye's show. So I guess since Democrats control Congress it is up to them to pass this bill.

[Budi]

30. Its up to President Biden to appoint members as their time expires.

The six Commissioners, no more than three of whom may represent the same political party, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Commissioners serve six-year, alternating terms, which expire in odd-numbered years. Commissioners serving expired terms may choose to remain until they are replaced.

https://www.fec.gov/press/resources-journalists/commissioners/#:~:text=The%20six%20Commissioners%2C%20no%20more,remain%20until%20they%20are%20replaced.

But ya know what? Chris Hayes is a seasoned reporter who most certainly SHOULD have introduced thos topic by actually presenting the facts as they stand, before using the face of a Democrat to answer for the BS that is the result of the media's role itself in giving candidate Donald Trump 24/7 coverage of a rock star rather than show him to be what he really was.

Hayes could have & should have done his homework on the corruption within the FEC, 1st.
THAT'S THE STORY.
And yes, upthread Pelosi & Schumer's names were indeed dropped, same way the Democrat from the FEC was used to present the face of the ACTUAL problem. Trump's corruption.

He should have started his deep dive into this corruption at the FEC with the facts rather than parade the Democrat out 1st to be mocked & vilified as in the OP.

I personally think he should have insisted the INDEPENDENT be the one to answer for the FEC fk up.

[gab13by13]

32. Maybe Democrats need to think outside the box?

Following the law is something that is ignored by the GQP. Maybe president Biden needs to set up a cabinet position on election fairness?
I mean the GQP is claiming that elections are corrupt so what better excuse?

[Budi]

35. Ya. Cuz it's been that way throughout political history.Democrats are like the clean up crew...

..after the know it all, self serving, trust fund kids invited in, their self serving know it all deal making, palm greasing frat pals, demanding their place of priviledge & trashed the mansion & disappeared off the property.






“We must end this uncivil war,” said the new President, “that pits red against blue, rural vs. urban, conservative vs. liberal.”


Maybe the problem isn't the Democrats.
"Money & Media" they whispered
cha-ching! $$$

Do better Mr Chris Hayes.
You too are a part of the problem.

[blueinredohio]

22. Right there with you gab.

[BSdetect]

24. He slithers away yet again. This is astounding.

[llashram]

25. I agree

my only hope at some kind of accountability is historical. History paints him as the LOSER/clown that he is...was Oconnell and GQP in the coming years will try to rehabilitate this con man/grifter. His reputation, his contribution to this country with more big lies...

And those who don't know/remember their history are destined to repeat it with someone a lot more creative, intelligent and evil.

paraphrasing G. Santayana above:

[johnthewoodworker]

26. A Republican/Nazi politician can commit any crime without punishment. Next question.

[gab13by13]

29. Guess what really pisses me off,

the pundits are saying now that the only way to stop the Nazis is to beat them in 2022 and 2024. I can't take this.

How are you going to beat people who count their own votes?

I don't give a crap, people don't understand how serious this is, the insurrection is on going. What would have happened if Mike Pence had not agreed to continue with the verification of the vote? God bless Speaker Pelosi for insisting on finishing the process that night.

I am also sick and tired of the GQP controlling the narrative, it's why I only watch 3 cable news shows. Freaking morning cable is back to covering Trump. The jobs numbers came back low last month so right away the answer is to do away with the added unemployment insurance. They don't even need proof that that's what the problem is.

And yes, the federal government should have done something about the travesty that is going on in Arizona. How do we allow QAnon access to ballots, allow them to not have to follow any protocol? I know, wait until 2022 and 2024. Well I just voted by mail last week in Pa. in the primary and to get my mail in ballot I had to provide my driver's license number this year.

[SayItLoud]

31. It's what we DON'T KNOW that scares the SH*T outta me.

MF45 implanted much smarter and corrupt people than himself in multiple critical positions. Sure we know about the judges, Indiviual1, DeJoy, Miller, LIE to Congress = NADA..... etc etc etc. But now we learn about the FEC....so I'm asking what the F else, who the F else was/is in "power to protect" MF45 and his cohorts?

If these F's aren't held accountable with serious consequences America is done as a Democracy.

I'll leave with...Lying to Congress. Prince, MF45 jr, etc etc etc....and not a F'n one is held accountable.

We are broken.

Sorry for the rant, well actually I'm not.

[gab13by13]

33. I still believe that there are people,

as yet unknown, who are behind MF45 directing his actions. I don't believe that MF45 is stupid, I believe that he is mentally ill.