JOHN EDWARDS UNLEASHED: BREAKS SPENDING RULES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE....

Drudge Exclusive ^ | January 23, 2004 | Matt Drudge

[RWR8189]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRI JAN 23, 2004 07:09:32 ET XXXXX

JOHN EDWARDS UNLEASHED: BREAKS SPENDING RULES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE In applying for federal matching funds to help finance his campaign, Dem presidential hopeful John Edwards pledged to adhere to "spending caps" in a letter to the FEC. "As a candidate seeking to become eligible to receive Presidential primary matching funds, I agree to the following provisions [including]... I and/or my authorized committee(s) certify that we have not incurred and will not incur qualified campaign expenditures in connection with my campaign for nomination in excess of the expenditure limitations prescribed by [the FEC]." http://www.fec.gov/finance/2004matching/edwards_docs_001.pdf But through January 20, 2004, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, Edwards has spent $950,915 in New Hampshire -- already busting the state's "spending cap by over $220,000! [The state "spending cap" for New Hampshire is $729,600.] MORE Senator Edwards has also spent $682,517 on ads in Boston, bringing his total ad spending aimed at New Hampshire audiences to $1,633,432 more than double the New Hampshire state spending limit. In November, Edwards, while on the stump in New Hampshire, said he was "disappointed" that former Vermont Governor Howard Dean had decided to forgo matching-funds and public financing. "I just think that sends the wrong signal to voters." Before he broke the spending limits in New Hampshire, Edwards explained: "I'm a strong believer in the campaign-finance system. I think it brings integrity to the process." Developing...

[Poohbah]

Ruh roh!

[finnman69]

As a trial lawyer he should know all about bending the rules

[So Cal Rocket]

But he's only trying to stimulate the NH economy! [/sarcasm]

[Republican Red]

There's also the Drudge story from May 2003

"Sen. John Edwards presidential campaign finance documents show 'pattern of giving by low-level employees at law firms,' THE HILL newspaper is planning to report in a 2,000-word story on Wednesday, a number of whom appear to have 'limited financial resources and no prior record of political donations'"

[deangonemad]

Is this the Drudge exclusive he was talking about a few days ago?
Remixes of mad Deans Iowa speech..here

[proust]

wow!

[Poohbah]

"Sen. John Edwards presidential campaign finance documents show 'pattern of giving by low-level employees at law firms,' THE HILL newspaper is planning to report in a 2,000-word story on Wednesday, a number of whom appear to have 'limited financial resources and no prior record of political donations'"

Straw donors. I'm SHOCKED that a trial lawyer would use straw donors.

[Sofa King]

It's won't matter. Democrats don't care if their politicians break the law and by the time of the general election it will have been forgotten.

[silverleaf]

I could while away the hours,
Conversin' with the flowers,
Consultin' with the rain.
My head I'd be scratchin,
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain!


I could solve any riddle,
For any individ'al,
In trouble, or in pain.
With the thoughts I'd be thinkin'
I would be another Lincoln,
If I only had a brain.

Oh, I, could tell you why,
the ocean's near the shore.
I could think of things I'd never thought before.
And then I'd sit, and think some more.

I would not be just a nothin',
My head all full of stuffin,
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry,
Life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain.

[Callahan]

Trial lawyers are the most ethical people on the planet...and if you don't agree with that statement they will sue your ass!

[theophilusscribe]

[Howlin]

Is this "it?" Is this all Drudge has about Edwards?

[Howlin]

For your file.

[Condor51]

I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell you!

Say it ain't so John.
That you, a US Senator, a supporter of CFR and demoncRAT candidate for POTUS, a distinguished Trial Lawyer and that you would knowingly break the rules LAW is just... too much for my faint heart to take. I must go lay down...

[Poohbah]

It's enough.

Filing for matching funds while violating the spending caps invites a detailed audit. And there's indications that he has his lawyer buddies doing strawman donations, which are illegal as hell for them to give (and can result in prison time), and equally illegal for him to accept.

[American_Centurion]

Looks like Kerry is going to be the Dems man this year. (Only if this gets any traction will that be assured)

[jmstein7]

Illegal BUMP!

[PhiKapMom]

John Edwards just bit the dust. You are right about the audit and what it will reveal. The new head of the FEC has vowed to crack down on people who don't abide by the law -- now he has his first candidate!

[Cicero]

It depends on what the meaning of "spending caps" is.

It also depends on the meaning of "meaning," the meaning of "pledge," the meaning of "adhere,"and the meaning of "is."

Usually when Democrats do this, it doesn't come out until after the election, and then they get a slap on the wrist from the FEC. The fact that this has come out now, in very timely fashion, suggests to me that hillary has been doing more opposition research.