Feds Launch Investigation of Edwards Campaign

[jefferson_dem]

Feds Launch Investigation of Edwards Campaign

Federal investigators "are sifting through the records of money that helped John Edwards' presidential campaign to determine if any was used to keep quiet his affair with Rielle Hunter," the Charlotte Observer reports.

"Records show that Hunter was paid by a political action committee aligned with Edwards. She received $114,000 to film Edwards as he hopscotched the nation to rally crowds in the fight against poverty."

Edwards acknowledged the investigation to the Raleigh News and Observer: "I am confident that no funds from my campaign were used improperly. However, I know that it is the role of government to ensure that this is true. We have made available to the United States both the people and the information necessary to help them get the issue resolved efficiently and in a timely matter. We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of those involved and look forward to a conclusion."

Who broke the story? Once again, it was the National Enquirer.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/05/03/feds_launch_investigation_of_edwards_campaign.html

[zbdent]

1. and yet McCain's "improper relationship" with a lobbyist

is "purely a partisan smear" ...

:eyes:

[karynnj]

5. In fairness, the NYT, not the NE, wrote of the suggestions

that McCain's advisers were concerned of an improper relationship or the appearance of one -giving them far more immediate coverage and believability. The bigger story in the NYT was his close relationships with lobbyists, for which there was abundant proof.

The fact is that whether McCain had an affair or not, that's not a criminal investigation. Now, as to doing favors for lobbyists, the question is whether they stepped over the line to illegal. They were however exposed and they did hurt McCain making it harder for him to claim he was the maverick anti-corruption person that he might have wanted (in spite of Keating 5) to make himself.

Here, I hope that JRE is telling the truth and that he funneled his personal money via campaign people to Hunter. Otherwise, this story could hurt the reputation of the Democratic party - even though people like Obama (or Kerry, whose ticket he was on) are FAR cleaner and had nothing to do with this.

[vaberella]

2. Oy...these people are still after Edwards. I really loved that guy.

Damn...he's going to pay for this til the end. I was going to say Clinton got away scott free...but thinking back he's also been black listed for eternity.

[pocoloco]

3. The asshole could really have fucked up the election.

What was he thinking?

[polmaven]

9. Thinking?

I doubt "thinking" is a verb that was part of the equation

[hedgehog]

4. Seriously, how is this a violation of election law? Unless there is a clause

specifically forbidding the practice, I would think the use of campaign funds to control bimbo eruptions would be perfectly valid.

[karynnj]

6. There are rules for how you use campaign funds

Paying huge amounts to a girl friend to keep her quiet is not allowed. It is not completely valid. (Given the phrase, I assume you are speaking of the effort spent by Clinton's campaign - in their case when they spoke of controlling it - they meant responding quickly and with brute force as the Genefer Flowers one occurred. Had there been any others, they knew what they would face - which (if there were any others) could have made others stay underground.

[karynnj]

7. The linked article in the N&O is interesting

One thing - the judge is a Republican who has prosecuted leading Democrats. That may mean it is a witch hunt, but it also likely means that if they find anything - he will be indicted.

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/1511324.html

The comments on Bunny Mellon being a judge funder are interesting. Her support was controversial in the primaries. That it was given to a 527 - while Edwards was using the fact that he took public funds (only after his fund raising had problems). It was also ironic that he had used the Mellon family in his comments about the gilded age. - http://pundits.thehill.com/2008/01/02/edwards-too-cute-by-half/

[janx]

8. Ruh-Roh! n/t

[dionysus]

10. uh-oh, smoove johnny's gonna get busted...

:rofl:

[greguganus]

11. There go those great haircuts! n/t