Obama Asks DOJ To Block Terrorist Ad, Investigate Donors

***Check back for updates***

The Politico has the story that Barack Obama has appealed to the Department of Justice in his efforts to fight a Republican billionare's ads that connect the Democratic candidate to foreign and domestic terrorists:

Obama's campaign has written the Department of Justice demanding a criminal investigation of the "American Issues Project," the vehicle through which Dallas investor Harold Simmons is financing the advertisements. The Obama campaign - and tens of thousands of supporters - are pressuring television networks and affiliates to reject the ads with some success: CNN and Fox News are not airing the attacks, and some local affiliates have also refused.

Obama has also launched his own response ad, directly addressing Simmons' attempt to link him to domestic terror.

The project is "a knowing and willful attempt to violate the strictures of federal election law," Obama general counsel Bob Bauer wrote to Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Keeney last week in a letter provided to Politico. Bauer argued that by advocating Obama's defeat, the ad should be subject to the contribution limits of federal campaign law, not the anything-goes regime of issue advocacy.

The Huffington Post's Seth Colter Walls had previously reported on this ad's questionable legal status.

The Ayers ad mentions Obama's name, uses the word "elect" (in the form of a question), and mentions not a single legislative issue, and quite obviously takes a position on his character and fitness for office. Thus, if an incorporated 501c(4) produced the ad and paid for its broadcast with corporate funds, it should be filing FEC disclosure reports.

Click here to read that story, and to see the ad in question

Obama has also rolled out a new ad that denounces the McCain attack. Click here to watch Obama's ad.

Simmons, who put out the ad, is an economic powerhouse for Republicans.

The spokesman for the American Issues Project, the independent group whose ad is the most negative of the cycle and links Obama to terrorism, says the group just filed a report naming its sole donor.



The donor, spokesman Christian Pinkston said, is Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons, who made his first fortune in chain pharmacies and is now listed as the 73rd richest person in the world, with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $2.1 billion.



Simmons, a major Republican donor, gave maximum $2,300 contributions to Senator John McCain last year, as well as to former Governor Mitt Romney and to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Click here to read that story

Earlier: Experts: Obama-Ayers Ad May Be Illegal

Comments

[CodySTL]

What ayers did 30+ years ago was not just and hopefully, was prosecuted according to the laws. (I don't know since I was too young at that time). Now, Ayers is serving his community. Republicans, get over it! Do you really want the Dems to air all of McCain's dirty laundry? Run an ad about the Keating 5 where there is a direct association.

[loria]

Keating 5 would be fair. Obama wasn't even a teenager when Ayers was part of Weather Underground. He went to his house once and the two served on a charity committe together. They aren't close. More bs from the party that has little else.

[DoTheMath]

Wow, Simmons is rich! He even qualifies by McCain's standards.

[ShamusNYC]

Which is why we need to cut his taxes!

[gladys46]

Too many ugly americans ... muslim americans pay just as much taxes as any other american. Those so-called Hillary supporters who continue to say that O is a muslim with distain and no proof of that need to know that religion ought not be any litmus test in this country for any reason ... very ugly americans ... to attempt exporting democracy across seas is totally rediculous!!! America seems to have lost it's soul .. this behavior was not the intend of the Constitution!!

Think just how american muslims are feeling as they listen & watch this kind of hate eminate from these people!!

[flydoghead]

I totally agree Glady !!

Maybe someone will have the guts to call the slimers down on the Muslim smearing.

I have Muslim friends and it is more than hurtful it is shameful

[loria]

Yeah, I could hardly see the argument that Hillary was somehow cheated out of the nomination. But now they are resorting to "he's a Muslim". They never were Hillary supporters. Hillary supporters are smarter than that. Paid Republicans, that's what I think.

[sdskelton03]

Am I the only one here that has a problem with the government deciding whether the ad is "legal" or not?

Let everyone speak, even those that are wrong, and allow the voters to figure it out.

[SurrealPumpkin]

The government is the correct agency because the alleged violations are of Federal Law. The protest isn't about what the ad said per se, but about the fact that it violates the soft money laws which say organizations do not have to disclose contributors only if they put out issue ads with no candidate endorsments etc. If they don't do this then they are covered by a different section of the law and must meet all federal election reporting laws. Which these haven't.

[flydoghead]

there are laws on the books for decades regarding ad claims

There are ten pages on what you can say about soap.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Actually, it's always the govenrment that makes that kind of decision whether in circuit courts or federal courts.

Can the DOJ be honest about this? We'll see.

[macbabe]

ignorance breeds ignorance, why feed it?

[SoCalNick]

SO SDSKELTON03 Can I print a bunch of REALLY Rank stuff about your Mother and what she did in college while making the rounds through the Frat houses?? Can I print a bunch of REALLY Obscene stuff about what your DAUGHTER does in Bars on the weekend for tips??




Of course this is just an example...how did it make YOU feel? I am sure they are both Women of pure thought and character BUT how will you PROVE it ? There is a reason THAT kind of thing is against the law.

Still think it is UNFAIR???

[blueskybigstar]

I applaud Obama for taking this to the DOJ. It shows he is taking action even if he is to meet defeat. Isn't the DOJ filled to the brim with unqualified Bush cronies?

[LarBear]

But, but, but.... I seem to recall the Clinton's being trashed over and over for trying to control the Media..... Same hold true of O??? Let me guess... This is different....

[SurrealPumpkin]

I'm missing the connection. A law violation by an advertising entity doesn't match the trashing HRC took. One is illegal the other is stupid.

[JadedAggie]

What on earth are you talking about? This has absolutely nothing to do with the press, it's a political advertisement. He's merely forcing a really stupid independent group to follow the campaign finance law their own candidate wrote, supported. and passed. If you want to try to push this issue through the press be my guest, but don't try to tell me misrepresenting the facts in a slanderous advertisement that blatantly breaks the law is somehow something that should be allowed.

[loria]

It's illegal you idiot.

[pupbayer]

Sounds like someone can't take the heat.

[lily31]

Are you kidding????

It isn't the heat that bothers him, it's the illegality of the organization's use of funds.

[hmmmmmer]

Give me a break, some lies and the crap the Republicans spew is not fit for human consumption and should be vomited out. This billionaire jerk is one piece of crap.

[toddausaurus]

I agree with pupbayer, he never seems to be able to take the heat. He must have been the kid in school who said "I'm telling!" a lot.

[desertdweller]

Like your mama having a hot flash.

[solbro]

if anyone can't take the hit it's u Rethugs and the myth of John McCain's POW experience. "Song Bird" anyone?

[flydoghead]

Sounds like someone who will appoint the next Attorney General of the United States.

How does that sound to you and your criminal friends?

They are building condos in Paraguy for the likes of you.

Remember the part about "Freedom and Justice for All" ? Well it's coming back

[pupbayer]

Condos in Paraguy? Sounds like I should have a lot more money than I do!

[dadw5boys]

Mc Cain break the law and run an illgeal ad to get elected President ??????

nah not Mc Nuggets !!!!!!

[ShamusNYC]

Excuse me, but were you a POW?

[Brainz22]

Person Of Wealth?

[flydoghead]

yeah, in the war of the worlds, yeah that was it.

[dfletcher]

Shamus is funny. A troll, but a funny one.

I've read 4 posts now utterly convinced that McNugget's POW experience is somehow qualifying him.

Well I don't know how much worldly experience he got while being a POW. From what comes from the guy's mouth, I get the feeling this man has learned nothing his whole life. A vain, sad little man.

[Waltb31]

McCain was a collaborator/traitor. He is unfit for office.

[Destin]

The article needs to be updated and corrected, Fox News has played the ad.

[littlepuffycloud]

oh, but it played only by "accident"....so McSlimebucket didn't have to pay for it. Nice, huh?

[pupbayer]

So has a number of other networks. I've seen it at least 8 times in the last 2 days.

[Justsaynodeal]

I am just sure I saw it originally here on HP, but today when I went to the site, the link to the ad is nonfuncitional.......it will be put on you-tube and get multiple hits when it runs out of play on cable.

[08politicaljunkie]

I saw it on CNN this afternoon

[BlackBuddha]

Does anyone have Harold Simmons office phone number, or maybe his cell number?

I would love to give him a few calls to ask him if he thinks that Obama's is directly linked to domestic terrorists.

Maybe there are a few other thousand bloggers who might need clarifications on his support of this ad.

I just want to make sure that I've got his position correct before I report on him.

Any suggestions?

[pupbayer]

You really think he cares if you "tell on him?" Seriously.

[Harrygton]

I would be interested in getting a hold of him for clarification, also!!!!

[sdskelton03]

Obama launched his political career in the home of Bill Ayers. Mr. Ayers is an unrepentant domestic terrorist whose only regret is that the Weather Underground "didn't do enough."

[jhNY]

Get lost, troll.

[LexLuthier]

Bush launched his energy policies behind locked doors with Mr. Cheney presiding. Who has done more harm to the American public?

[Justsaynodeal]

The 0bamicans sure have the freeper tactic down to a tee. Didn't like them when Repugs used them, and don't like them now.

[TheShadow]

The Department Of Justice? Oh yeah...They'll get around to it...

Just in time for Thanksgiving.

[hmmmmmer]

Exactly right, the wheels of justice turn slowly especially with the rusty shape they are in from this administration.

[Justsaynodeal]

Or Xmas.

[Steelrod]

If you ask me we need to do something about SEAN HANNITY. He pushes this ayers issue relentlessly. We need to do something about him.

[liseworks]

He's certifiable - does anyone know anyone with a straight jacket ?

[gladys46]

He should be sued ... yellow journalism ... slander, libel!! That man is not even borderline ... he's absolutely misleading the american public ... lying to be exact!!!

[Justsaynodeal]

It is called freedom of speech.

[Steelrod]

If anyone remember, he was the one who Told GS from ABCNEWS to ask Obama about his relationship with Ayers. SEAN HANNITY needs to go.

[blueskybigstar]

Shouldn't George Stephanopolis be to blame as well?

[Justsaynodeal]

Use your freeper techniques and bombard Faux.

[okayigive]

My question is why isa link being provided to this sort of ad? Television may be refusing to air the ad, but this site is promoting it.

[liseworks]

Agreed - very odd ....

[hmmmmmer]

I just refuse to click and watch them, we have a choice, also.

[Justsaynodeal]

The link to the ad is disabled today.

[Whinger]

This is a prime example of how the nation is terrorised by those who want to control them!

This conduct underlines the urgent need for change, but only a united people can bring it about!

[Justsaynodeal]

"the nation is terrorised by those who want to control them!


Sounds ominous. The DOJ should look into it.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R6gcbC9Hz4

[LAB10]

DOJ--Doesn't Oversee Jack

[gladys46]

Obama knows precisely who to ask!!! You can believe that!!!

[kellygrrrl]

the DOJ??????

puhleeeez!

[SurrealPumpkin]

This is fun, the DOJ is d*mned if does and d*mned if it doesn't. There must be some lawyers with the DOJ who still believe in the law.