McBride/McAuliffe Seeks to Block Funding Probe

Miami Herald ^ | 9/25/02 | Peter Wallsten

[windchime]

McBride seeks to block funding probe

BY PETER WALLSTEN pwallsten@herald.com

TALLAHASSEE - Hoping to shield a controversial political committee that pumped nearly $2 million into TV ads boosting Bill McBride's candidacy for governor, the candidate's campaign and the committee are going to court to block a state investigation.

The legal maneuvers come as the Florida Elections Commission has sent questionnaires to McBride and state teachers' union president Maureen Dinnen -- whose group set up the committee -- seeking sworn statements concerning what they knew about the ads and when they knew it.

The court filings set up a potentially nasty -- and high-profile -- legal battle between a Democratic nominee looking to compete against Gov. Jeb Bush's massive political machine and a GOP incumbent seeking to thwart McBride's every effort.

The Democrats have hired two top-gun attorneys, former 2000 recount lawyer Ron Meyer representing the teachers' union committee and prominent criminal defense lawyer Bob Harper for the McBride campaign.

GAVE MOMENTUM

The ads, paid for by a new corporation called Florida Education Association Quality Public Education Corporation Inc., were credited with giving McBride the momentum he needed to engineer his stunning upset over former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno in the Sept. 10 primary.

They also gave the former unknown Tampa lawyer enhanced name recognition, putting him in better position to challenge Bush.

But the ads, which featured a biographical sketch of McBride dating back to his days as a Marine in Vietnam, came under fire since they debuted in July.

For starters, the teachers' union kept secret the list of donors to QPEC, creating the corporation in July under a provision in the federal tax code that allows so-called ''issue advocacy'' groups to shield their contributors.

GOP COMPLAINT

The Republican Party complained that the ads broke the law because they specifically endorsed McBride rather than espousing a particular cause or issue. State laws require that so-called issue advocacy groups stick to pushing ideas, not individuals. The GOP's complaint contended that if the ads did not qualify as issue advocacy, they were then simply contributions to McBride's campaign -- and exceeded the $500 limit on such donations.

The FEC voted last month to investigate based on the GOP complaint.

Lawyers for McBride and the committee, however, argue that the ads were perfectly legal.

In court papers filed late last week in Lakeland and Tallahassee, the lawyers argue that the FEC inquiry threatens the committee's constitutional rights.

ADS PULLED OFF

The union voluntarily pulled the ads off the air after the inquiry began and some TV stations expressed concern.

''What's at stake here is whether the Florida Elections Commission may properly go on with this kind of fishing expedition and chill the free exercise of speech and association that QPEC and its members have,'' said Meyer.

But Republican strategists worry that, if the committee is allowed to continue, McBride will enjoy a ''stealth'' campaign operation financed by unknown contributors.

The GOP has raised additional questions about the ties between the Democratic candidate and the teachers' union since the campaign announced last week that the union's leading lobbyist would be McBride's new campaign manager.

QPEC is required by law to reveal its donors to date in a federal tax filing next month, but it will be free to raise money without further disclosure through the Nov. 5 election.

'The teachers' union purchased the primary for Bill McBride,'' said Bush campaign spokesman Todd Harris. ``When an organization is spending millions and millions of dollars to elect somebody governor, the public has a right to know where that money comes from.''

The questionnaires sent to McBride and Dinnen suggest that the FEC is examining how closely the campaign, its media consultant David Doak and QPEC were tied when the ads were produced.

Doak produced McBride ads both for the teachers' committee and for the campaign itself.

In an affidavit, investigators ask McBride whether he was aware that QPEC planned the ads, whether an ''agent of your campaign'' helped create the ads, whether he gave QPEC the photographs used in the commercial, and if his campaign sought advice as to whether the commercials exceeded contribution limits.

McBride spokesman Alan Stonecipher declined to say whether QPEC and the teachers' union campaign coordinated efforts, referring to laws requiring FEC investigations to be kept confidential.

But he said the campaign would not oppose releasing the list of donors to QPEC.

''If it were up to us we'd go ahead and have them disclosed sooner rather than later,'' Stonecipher said. ``There's nothing that anybody will be surprised about.''

Meyer said Tuesday that the teachers' union did not act in collaboration with the campaign, and that the two organizations held separate contracts with Doak.

''The FEA and the teachers and education employees of Florida knew very well what they wanted to do,'' Meyer said. ``They didn't need to be invited by the McBride campaign.''

[PhiKapMom]

Take a look at this one!

[goody2shooz]

1) If they are not doing something wrong, they would be willing to make it public.

2) They are desperate to hide something from the public, it probably stinks to high heaven!

[jwalsh07]

CFR is a joke, the dims are committed to breaking any law at any time to achieve any goal.

[JulieRNR21]

The Republican Party complained that the ads broke the law because they specifically endorsed McBride rather than espousing a particular cause or issue. State laws require that so-called issue advocacy groups stick to pushing ideas, not individuals. The GOP's complaint contended that if the ads did not qualify as issue advocacy, they were then simply contributions to McBride's campaign -- and exceeded the $500 limit on such donations.

Glad to see the FL GOP going after them....about time! The FL RATs know every way to try to circumvent the campaign finance laws....Clinton/Gore/McAwful were their teachers!

[windchime]

Right on both counts!

[justshe]

Any idea, though, if any thing will come of this BEFORE the election?

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks for the ping....BUMPing more Freepers!

[JulieRNR21]

Any idea, though, if any thing will come of this BEFORE the election?

I pray it does & the illegal tactics of McBribe & McAwful get exposed!

[bybybill]

Why, everytime I see McBride, I check to see if my wallet is still in my pocket.

[kcvl]

Maureen Dinnen's letter to the governor -- 4.23.02

April 23, 2002

Governor Jeb Bush
The Capitol, Room PL05
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Dear Governor Bush:

I am writing you to request that you immediately correct or pull the misleading ads that began airing today throughout Florida on behalf of your campaign.

One of the Bush ads touts, “Our test scores have increased dramatically.” As you know, with the changes made to the grading of the FCAT test during your administration, that statement simply has no relationship to the truth.

As the Orlando Sentinel reported, more than 18,000 students – one out of every 10 fourth-graders tested last year – were not counted in FCAT results. That you would seek to take credit for the obviously skewed results insults every teacher, student and parent working hard to do their part for education in Florida.

A healthy debate on education policy will be important in the 2002 campaign. I encourage you to help to keep that debate grounded in reality.

Teachers working in today’s classrooms see an entirely different picture than the one you paint in your ads. The thousands of teachers who will go without raises this year and struggle to keep up with larger classes than ever would tell a completely different story than the one your campaign is promoting.

Again, I call on you to level with Floridians about what’s really happening in our classrooms and to pull this misleading ad from the air.

Sincerely,

Maureen Dinnen
President

[kcvl]

RE School Vouchers

Starcannon -
August 6, 2002 at 7:40 AM

So once again, the public "education" (wink wink nod nod) system shows its greed for tax dollars and its contempt for parents. this little quote; ""We knew when a judge looked at it that he would side with us," said Maureen Dinnen, president of the Florida Education Association, the state's teachers union. "It is absolutely wrong to divert tax money to private schools. Now we can focus on public schools again." end quote" shows me that MONEY for an organization, in this case the Public Educational System is more important than the Children that said money was set aside for anyway. Makes me sick to know that people like Maureen Dinnen can hold such powerful positions that they might actually be able to convince our elected officials to stab us in the back like that. I can't really think of anymore to say on this subject without getting very emotional, and personal, and besides doesn't Maureen Dinnen's quote speak for itself?

Sincerely, Robby Cannon

[PhiKapMom]

FL GOP looks to have their ducks in order on McBride from everything I have seen. Wish more State parties did!

[PhiKapMom]

You mean the Tax and Spend team of McBride and his sidekick? I would hide my wallet too!

[kcvl]

Maureen Dinnen of the Florida Education Association, " Bill BcBride answered the questions more thoroughly, he answered the questions in a resounding way and he had a presence that we thought would take him into the Governor's office. We want a governor, who listens to us, who cooperates with us, we're not going to get our way all the time of course, but gosh it would be nice to be part of the conversation."


The union interviewed House Minority Leader Lois Frankel, former US Attorney General Janet Reno and Sen. Daryl Jones Of Miami. The teachers say Governor Jeb Bush wasn't available for an interview. But Lt. Governor Brogan says he and Bush are disappointed the union didn't work with them.

Lt. Governor Frank Brogan stated "All i know is that it is unfortunate that a seated Governor was not given the respect and the courtesy to try and rearrange schedules for what probably would have been a one hour interview, if he had been given that chance."

[Registered]

Put on your hip-waders!

[kcvl]

FEA RALLIES BEHIND 'McBRIDE MIRACLE' Leaders and activists for the Florida Education Association gathered this month to celebrate Bill McBride's dramatic victory in the Democratic gubernatorial primary--and to mobilize for a McBride victory against incumbent Jeb Bush in the general election. FEA, a merged AFT-NEA state affiliate, was the first major organization to endorse McBride and mobilized aggressively to help voters learn more about the candidate and his positive, sensible platform for public education. It was a gamble to endorse McBride, a Tampa attorney whose name recognition early on was less than 10 percent among Florida voters, but it was a chance well worth taking, FEA president Maureen Dinnen, also an AFT vice president, told activists gathered at a Sept. 14 McBride victory celebration in Orlando. "His understanding of our issues, sincerity and enthusiasm came through loudly and clearly," Dinnen told the crowd. "We have endured such a drought of good news during these very barren Bush years the prospect of a having real leadership in the governor's office is very exciting… with your continued help we are going to make it happen."

[JulieRNR21]

FL GOP looks to have their ducks in order on McBride from everything I have seen. Wish more State parties did!

FL GOP better stay on top of those weasels....they know every dirty trick....and will use them to try to defeat the President's brother and gain the most critical state for 2004 Election.

[kcvl]

The close ties are obvious. McBride's new campaign manager, Cathy Kelly, has served as the FEA's director of government relations for 15 years and Tony Welch, the union's communications director, is serving as a campaign spokesman.

The union collected more than $60,000 for McBride by asking its members to write out checks for $20.02, said union President Maureen Dinnen. She said more probably contributed directly to the campaign.

She estimates the union spent $1.5 million on ads designed to give voters background on McBride. In addition, it's backed McBride in newsletters it sends out to each of its 122,000 members.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Al Cardenas believes the amount spent to help McBride win is much higher.

"They spent over $5 million in the primary -- something that never happened in Florida's political history before," Cardenas said. "They essentially bought themselves a candidate for the general election lock, stock and barrel. They have literally taken over the McBride campaign."

Dinnen said the talk is campaign rhetoric from a party that has a long history of bashing the union.

"It's a very strange attitude among the Bush campaign that teachers should not be active in politics, as if we were second class citizens," Dinnen said. "We think this is the most important election in the past 50 years in Florida and we also think education is on the chopping block."

The union collects $183.50 a year from each of its members, which calculates to more than $20 million a year.

Brogan, a former teacher, principal, school superintendent and education commissioner, said he has dealt with the Florida Education Association for many years in many roles and argues that it is interested in labor issues above quality education.

"I am convinced that while they will continue to bellow that this is about education and Bill McBride is good for education, what they mean is that whoever they support will be good for the union bosses and the dues payers," Brogan said.

McBride responded: "He should be ashamed of saying something like that because the FEA agenda is about education and making our schools work for kids."

[PhiKapMom]

I agree with you 100% -- they have really targeted Florida! Two RAT Lawyers controlled by mcauliffe -- that is really scarey!