Posted on 03/03/2006 8:44:06 PM PST by NormsRevenge
The California Democratic Party said Friday it will ask government regulators to investigate Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sen. John McCain for allegedly violating campaign-finance law.
The allegations center around a scheduled March 20 fundraiser in Beverly Hills, in which donors have been asked to contribute up to $100,000 for Schwarzenegger and the state Republican Party.
McCain, R-Ariz., is the featured speaker.
Katie Levinson, a spokeswoman for the governor's campaign, called the complaint "nothing more than frivolous nonsense." Trevor Potter, a former Federal Election Commission chairman who advises McCain, said the senator "is in full compliance with federal law."
At issue is whether McCain's appearance runs afoul of restrictions on federal officeholders taking part in events that solicit political funds. Ironically, McCain is being accused of violating a law he helped write.
The complaint, to be filed Monday with the FEC in Washington, charges that McCain and Schwarzenegger "are soliciting soft money from prohibited sources and in excess of the federal contribution limits."
The event invitation includes a disclaimer that says Schwarzenegger's campaign and the state party are raising the money, not McCain, and that the senator "is not soliciting individual funds beyond federal limit, and is not soliciting funds from corporations or labor unions."
But the Democrats allege the wording is misleading, and the sums sought by the governor's campaign far exceed permissible levels at an event where a federal officeholder is appearing. It accuses the governor of "aiding and abetting Sen. McCain in soliciting soft money contributions in violation of federal law."
FEC complaints can take months - and sometimes years - to resolve. It wasn't immediately clear what, if any, impact it could have on the event.
Potter said the invitation's disclaimer "makes it clear that ... the solicitation for funds is coming from the Gov. and the state party, not from Sen. McCain."
"Anyone may file a baseless FEC complaint for political purposes," Potter added.
Arnold should've let buddhist monks stay in the California executive mansion's spare bedroom for $100k a nite....
While they're at it, perhaps the Dems may want to investigate their buddies over at MoveOn.org.
The cleanout for Hillary has begun..
The same McCain of the McCain-Feingold Bill that regulates the financing of campaigns? How ironic!
the Dems didn't have a problem when McCain auctioned himself for a personal lunch date for $15,000 to support the RFK Memorial's drive to raise funds for their international human rights and social justice work.
Ha ha ha aha aha ha ha ha ha ha aha aha ahh. Please I'm starting to choke. Ha ha ah ahha ah ha ah ha.
It's so nice to see all these good Republicans helping each other.
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