Republicans Say Clinton Rallies Break Law Democrats Foot Bulk Of Cost For Rallies

thehawaiichannel.com ^ | October 30, 2002

[Mensch]

HONOLULU -- The Hawaii Democratic Party is paying the huge bill for the Clinton visit. Public worker unions were originally going to cover the costs.

The Republican Party said Democrats are breaking the law by coordinating the rallies with Mazie Hirono's campaign.

The event was planned for more than two months and originally, the Hawaii Government Employees Association and its parent union, AFSCME, were going to pay for the Clinton trip. However, Democrats said there was a last-minute change of plans that left them scrambling to pay a big bill for Bill.

HGEA paid for the rental of Kauai Veterans Center and other initial expenses for Clinton's visit. However, spokespeople for the union and Democratic Party said just about a week ago they decided that the state Democratic Party and not the public workers union should pay for the entire visit.

"It's possible that the union might have already given the maximum amount, and were concerned that if they gave more, they would go over the limits," Campaign Spending Director Bob Watada said.

The problem is that the events became political rallies for Hirono and the expenses would have greatly exceeded the $6,000 contribution limit to her campaign.

So the Democratic Party said it's now paying the approximately $100,000 tab for the Clinton visit, including his airfare, security, rentals and other expenses.

Republicans are crying foul.

"It's a blatant violation of the law, in our opinion," Hawaii GOP Chairman Micah Kane said.

Breaking the law, Republicans say, because Hirono and running mate Matt Matsunaga are appearing with Clinton at the rallies.

State campaign spending law says contributions on coordinated activities cannot exceed $6,000. The Kauai rally cost about $100,000.

"Based on that fact alone, it's clear it's not an independent expenditure. It's a coordinated event," Lingle campaign attorney Nelson Befitel said.

KITV 4 News asked Watada if Hirono and Matsunaga appearing at the rallies amounted to coordination.

"It gets into a gray area. I'm not sure. I'd have to look at the exact facts of the situation," Watada said.

A Democratic party spokeswoman did not return phone calls by KITV 4 News to comment on the Republican's complaints.

Clinton, who usually charges anywhere from $75,000-$350,000 per speech, did not charging Democrats for his appearances around the islands, officials said. The party is just paying for the expenses of his visit, KITV 4 News reported.

[Mensch]

This is just the latest in a long series of Democrat spending violations this election

[Grassontop]

Just have to say to yourself that the clintonians demons are above the law and then you will sleep peaceful at night! Grassontop

[Mensch]

Thats supposed to help? I'm going back to drugs.

[concerned about politics]

Any FReepers in Hawaii need to keep this in the news. Use radio, letters to editors, and the telivision media. (I can help e-mail media).

[Cindy]

A Serious Question: When has breaking the law, breaking the rules, breaking the regulations, breaking the commandments ever bothered the DnC crowd?

[Mo1]

So the Democratic Party said it's now paying the approximately $100,000 tab for the Clinton visit, including his airfare, security, rentals and other expenses.

OK .. let me see if I have this right .. The DNC has to PAY Clinton $100,000 to come in town to raise money for them???

[Russell Scott]

Democrat thinking: "Laws? Laws are only for mean-spirited conservatives. We are so much nicer so our ends justify our means. That's what our Godfather Karl Marx told us. So he had to murder a few million, its what is best for the mother country that matters."

[concerned about politics]

E-mailed Sean Hannity, O'Riely, and Rush. They can add this to the cost of the Welstone/Democrat death celebration.

[BenLurkin]

Like the democRat party cares about laws!

[Mensch]

Hawaii GOP Accuses Democrats Of Violating Laws Democrats Say Republicans Have Facts Wrong

[Sgt_Schultze]

Hawiian concubines cost a prety penny doncha know.

[Mo1]

Hawiian concubines cost a prety penny doncha know.

I guess .. LOL

[Spyder]

The Lingle campaign and volunteers are really doing their jobs well as far as I can tell. They're being aggressive without being nasty, jumping on all the lies the Democrats are spinning as quickly as they come out. I do worry about the final weekend (four years ago they spread nasty rumors that Lingle was lesbian and suppressed the religious right turnout) and voter fraud.

[Spyder]

My daughter's not getting out of the house tonight.

[concerned about politics]

*sigh*
Now they have both sides of this story.
*sigh*

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Yeah, that's the typical DEM logic of how to spend money. Let's keep Bubba living and travelling in high style while the locals are scrapping for campaign cash!

[ladyinred]

Listen, laws are not meant for RATS.
It is time everyone just accepted that fact.
Laws only apply to pubbies and the unwashed.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Like the democRat party cares about laws!

"Laws? We don't need no stinkin laws."

DNC

[Mr. K]

thank goodness we had campaign finance 'reform'

The one and only campaing finance law there should be is 'total disclosure'. Anyone can give any amount to anyone they want (this is america isn't it?) but it must be fully disclosed.

And why is it that the person who GIVES an illegal contribution goes to jail, but the person who ACCEPTS it does not...???

[Imal]

"It gets into a gray area. [...]"

"Gray area". That's where the 'rats live.