Biden Steered Campaign Cash To Family Firms

Washington Times:

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. has paid more than $2 million in campaign cash to his family members, their businesses and employers over the years, a practice that watchdogs criticize as rife with potential conflicts of interest.

Getty Images FAMILY: Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s son, Hunter Biden, was at a campaign stop with his father in December. The candidate's sister, Valerie Biden Owens, is his longtime campaign manager.

The money largely flowed from the coffers of Mr. Biden's failed presidential campaign during the past two years to a company that employs his sister and longtime campaign manager, Valerie Biden Owens, according to campaign disclosure filings.

Read the whole story: Washington Times

Comments

[All57States]

Bush's fault

[YankeeCanuck]

Valerie Biden Owens has been involved in the running of ALL Biden's Senatorial campaigns and two Presidential campaigns. That would span more than thirty years! Not exactly lavish pay, and probably the only way someone like Biden could afford to launch a Presidential campaign. No big corporate bucks went to this guy.

[obamagirl1968]

Exactly! Anyone who has read Sen Biden's book Promises to Keep or who knows their family can understand how his relatives, particularly his sister, are so important to his career. The entire Biden clan has been instrumental in Joe's long and distinguished career.

[HHUA]

"...Putting family members and their companies on the political payroll is LEGAL if the work is legitimate and charged at market rates, according to the Federal Election Commission...."

"...Sen. John McCain's political action committee, Straight Talk America, paid more than $15,000 in 2006 to his wife, Cindy..."

And exactly WHAT is it that CINDY does "legally" for the McCain camp (besides sashaying around in $300,000 designer outfits and smearing Obama)??? Not to mention, any other family members that he "paid"???

This is truly a NON-STORY unless the McCain camp wants to make an issue (yet again!) of something McCain himself is guilty of, and probably with a higher degree of impropriety considering that Biden's family members ARE "legitmate" political entities who work in an "official" capacity!!!

"Valerie is a well-known and highly regarded political operative in Democratic politics in Delaware and nationally, and her firm has worked on top races from Michigan to Texas. End of story," Mr. Wade said.

How on earth can ANYONE make an issue out of something that apparently a full 87% of our U.S. Senators have engaged in???

"The groups report... named 87 senators from all 50 states: 42 Democrats, 43 Republicans and two independents" --- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

Quite frankly this story is frivolous considering all the REAL issues at stake!!!

"End of story".... Indeed!!!

[DarlaVA]

Candidates are permitted by law to use leftover campaign monies for any legal purpose except personal expenses.

[claylandg]

No big deal it's Joe!! and of course all dems right now get a pass from the media, i bet if clinton did something it would be a big deal, the media likes who they like and it's very noticable but i can think for myself.

[dafletcha]

Rut roh. Grist for McCain tomorrow night.

[PeaceOnEarth62]

o well. who gives a f***?

[aOsO]

Non-story.

[ThePot]

How come? Because the wrong man's name is on it?
The only difference between the two parties is the force at which they hit their knees when corporate greed comes calling.

[HHUA]

Actually you've got that right about the "two parties"... That's exactly why this IS a "Non-story".

"The groups report... named 87 senators from all 50 states: 42 Democrats, 43 Republicans and two independents" --- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

That's a full 87% of our U.S. senate!

It's hard to make a substantial case out of something, when MOST of them seem to reside in the SAME "glass house"... Including McCain's "connections" to KNOWN terrorists etc. It's ALL a non-issue unless they want to put the spot-light on themselves as well.

On to the REAL issues then shall we?