Obama can NOT pay off her campaign debt, he is bound by FEC

[WA98296]

This didn't occur to me when I first heard CNN saying "it's common"
...well, somebody needs to discuss this with the FEC. He can not use his campaign contributions for the Clinton debt.
He can ask us if we would donate to her.

[peoli]

1. link us up to that rule!

[mcctatas]

2. That's how I read it too...

Consideration by the Obama camp of providing financial help to Clinton would be part of a peace-making process in the event that she withdraws from the presidential nominating contest.

Under federal campaign finance law, the Obama campaign cannot directly pay off Clinton's debts, or the $11.43 million she has loaned the campaign, because that would violate campaign contribution limits. But if Obama is the nominee, he and his donor base could provide invaluable help to her in raising money through signed appeals, joint fundraisers and by other
methods.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/08/obama-camp-faces-major-ob_n_100928.html

[thunder rising]

14. If $11M gets rid of her. Write the check and let's get this done.

[mcctatas]

17. I agree...

too bad he can't :(

[Zachstar]

30. Joint fundraisers would be ok

[slinkerwink]

3. exactly. He can hold fundraisers though, and that's the only way he can do it, I think.

[NJmaverick]

4. I think it's important to get the word out

so Obama's $$$ doesn't dry up

[Cha]

29. Really..that's prolly why the mediawhores

are touting it..they know how much contempt she's held in for what she's trying to do to our country.

[peace13]

5. This is exactly the explanation the Obama group is using.

I left a message on the Obama phone yesterday voicing my concerns about using Obama funds to pay off Clinton loans. When I came home this afternoon there was a message from his campaign telling me that it would not be legal for them to do this adding that the idea is not coming from his campaign. How cool was it to actually get a response. I did feel a bit the fool after I heard her explanation even if it was on my answering machine. I need to email KO and let him know to drop the concept. He even talked about it this evening. Peace ,Kim

[truedelphi]

15. Who is behind saying that Obama will do this or should do this??

[peace13]

19. I don't know.

If I had been home when the call came in I would have had a few questions. I have heard Tweety and Keith say it on TV and several people here talk about it. That is what prompted me to call and email Obama. All I could think about is how *issed I would be if my money that could have gone to my sons school loans went to Hill. Sorry but if I wanted that I would have done that. But hey, not to worry it is not in the cards and I am happy. The look on my husbands face was priceless when we heard the message on the machine. Peace, Kim

[Aloha Spirit]

27. Besides Tim Russet-potatohead, Halperin is not fricking helping...

http://thepage.time.com/2008/05/09/obama-opens-door-to-easing-clintons-debt/

[truedelphi]

33. Thanks for that link n/t

[K Gardner]

6. Yes, I just heard this on Keith. Also, something about the debt having to be

paid back by the GE or its lost ... ? And something about Clinton having to loan herself MORE money?

Sorry.. I wasn't really paying attention.

[Johnny__Motown]

8. You missed the part about the FEC not enforcing the rules and even if they did it would only be a

small fine

[K Gardner]

25. Oops :-)

[TheDebbieDee]

7. Is this a new rule or something? Because I thought

Sen. John Kerry paid off the debts of his opponents in 2004 in order to secure their endorsements.

[Alexander]

9. K&R for everyone worried Obama's money will go to Mark Penn.

[Hippo_Tron]

10. I'm pretty sure the rules state that one campaign can give as much to another campaign as it wants

[peace13]

22. Not according to the Obama people. n/t

[ericgtr]

11. There is no real oversight of the FEC though so candidates sort of do what they want

and get away with it. For example, on KO they mentioned that if Hillary didn't pay her money back by the convention (as per FEC rules) that she could get away with it.

[jgraz]

12. Damn, I hope this is true.

Thanks for the info! :yourock:

[City Lights]

13. K&R...I hope it's true. nt

[OzarkDem]

16. Where did this ridiculous rumor come from, Obama?

Is he trying to buy the nomination?

Clinton hasn't asked for his help.

[chill_wind]

20. It didn't come from Obama. Tim Russert was floating it right after

the Tues nite returns.

[OzarkDem]

26. Well that explains it, total bs

the GOP news media trying to make Clinton look bad. Failed again.

[chill_wind]

28. Corporate Media will shill for McCain. Dems are just grist for the mill.

They've alternated wildy. No one could watch the 24/7 Rev Wright saturation OR the treament of Clinton and not know their endgame.

[Onyx488]

23. Are you sure about that?

She only raised $1 million after Indiana, unlike the supposed $10 million she raised after PA

IF you go to her website it takes you right to a donation page, that's little touch of begging
Everytime she talks she ask for donation on her site, more begging

There is an FEC Rule that Personal loans have to paid back before the Convention, not that the FEC will up hold any of their rules.

And interestingly enough since the campaign has gotten into fullswing Bill has not been able to Make one of his incrediable $800,000.00 speeches, speaking of which
I am sure all those people that "paid him for speaking" might be really pissed that she lost the white house. I wonder how much anyone will be willing to pay him now that the Clinton name is fast appoarching "hasbeen" status.

But look to the future, who knows maybe Chelsea will want to get into politics

[rocktivity]

18. My initial reaction was "How could that possibly be legal?"

Now my reaction "How could any Obama supporter think he'd be that stupid?" Yes, he's told the press today that discussing it now would be "premature"--that hardly equates to saying he'd even considering it. This story was planted to get us to stop sending Obama money.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Tatiana]

21. Ahem... I'll say it for all Obama donors: YAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[grantcart]

24. I had a question earlier in the season and just called the FEC and they answered

also I googled around and found professors that specialize in FEC questions and they emailed me back.


My question was "If Hillary Clinton joined as a VP candidate would she have to use the money that she has on hand for the GE?

No one including the FEC had any idea.

The problem is that these are questions that come up only every 4 years and the circumstances are always a little off point so no one really knows.

You can try and call around and see what they say.

[FlyingSquirrel]

31. Hmmm then if she joined his ticket with 11 mil in debt, would that drag him down?

Interesting questions, but I doubt it's gonna happen anyway.

[woolldog]

32. K&R

Good to know.