RNC Hits Obama For Visit To Sick Grandmother

Leaving no potential avenue of attack unexplored, the Republican National Committee has decided to bash Barack Obama over his October visit to see his ailing grandmother in Hawaii.

Of course the visit itself is not being criticized, but rather the way the campaign paid for the nominee's unscheduled detour. On Monday afternoon, the RNC blasted out a complaint from the California Republican Party charging that "Obama for America violated federal law by converting its campaign funds to Senator Obama's personal use" for the trip. That proposed issue for the FEC to investigate is one of five violations alleged by California Republicans in their complaint (which you can read in its entirety here).

"Senator Obama recently traveled to Hawaii to visit his sick grandmother. This was the right thing for any grandson to do -- at his own expense -- but it was not travel that his campaign may fund," said California Republican Chairman Ron Nehring in a statement Monday.

"In Senator Obama's own words, his travels took him 'off the [campaign] trail for a day.' The trip featured no campaign events of any kind its 22-hour duration and his decision to travel was 'not driven by political concerns,' according to an Obama spokesperson. Since the trip's purpose was entirely and admittedly personal, the fact that he made campaign telephone calls and talked with staff aides while traveling does not convert this purely personal trip into a proper campaign expense. Therefore, the Obama Campaign violated the FEC's ban on 'personal use' of campaign funds when it paid over $100,000 for the Campaign's charter to fly to Hawaii without obtaining reimbursement from Senator Obama."

"To be clear, the California Republican Party respects Senator Obama's decision to leave the campaign trail for a worthwhile personal purpose. But the Party will not quietly let 'hard facts make bad law.' If the FEC fails to act here, it will-contrary to explicit provisions of federal law-allow personal travel to Hawaii at campaign expense: a loophole sure to be exploited by others for less commendable personal purposes. Sympathy must not cloud the simple truth. This trip was personally important to Senator Obama, but served no campaign purpose. Its costs should have been paid with Senator Obama's own funds," Nehring said.

Asked for comment, an Obama spokesman gave no response.

Beside the Hawaii complaint, the state GOP also raises another allegation against the Democratic nominee based on testimony from a Pennsylvania case involving ACORN. In that testimony, a former employee of an ACORN affiliate alleged that the Obama campaign transfered its donor list to the community organizing group -- a claim disputed by ACORN itself. The California GOP, however, treats the matter as settled fact.

Comments

[Ydnic]

Has there been a fund set up? I will donate in a heartbeat to help. We could send a check to the Chicago campaign office with and EARMARK that the money is in memory of Toot.

Barack Obama
In Memory of Toot Dunham
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

I'm writing my check right now. I am also going to send a copy of my check to:

California Republican Chairman Ron Nehring
1201 K. Street #740
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.448.9496
916.448.9497 fax

Google this guy. He is a real piece of work. He makes a career out of demanding investigations on Dems.

[IzzyCA]

I tried to call the number but could not get through. I have tried to access their website, but the page won't load:
http://www.cagop.org/

I'm going to keep trying to contact them and voice my complaint about their actions. I recommend all Californians to do the same. Actually, all Americans do the same.

[brynn6]

Be sure to blank out your account info before you send it. Republicans will steal anything.

[utd]

Nice heartless trick, too bad it won't change one damn thing with the election tomorrow, and if anyone had even thought about it for 2 seconds all they are going to do is just drive people away from their party in CA further.

I could be wrong but I seem to recall McCain doing the exact same thing with Cindy's plane for the exact "less commendable personal purposes" that they were talking about. Something about using the plane for campaigning travel without paying for it I believe.

[NeoLiberal]

Agreed. The timing is unfortunate for the GOP, because it seems that they would not have been so stupid to publicize this AFTER learning of Ms. Dunham's passing.

They should have filed the complaint much earlier.

They're tripping over their own incompetence during the 11th hour.

Tsk tsk

[athenasword]

He can use the funds I gave ANY way he wants. End of story.

And, note to the GOP: this kind of slime is why you will LOSE! Putting this statement out today will just give Obama another 500,000 votes. And, some of those will be Republicans who have lost their stomach for this garbage.

[mlaiuppa]

The California Republican Party is morally bankrupt.

The Party of Randy "Duke" Cunningham.

Enough said.

[fiorastar]

Senator Obama, you may use any of the funds I donated $25 at a time to help cover this cost. Obviously, because of the terrible attack tactics of the Republicans, you were not in a position to travel by public commercial airline--you need continuous protection of Secret Service thanks to them.

By synchronicity, I, along with my extended family, including a great aunt from Germany, was able to see you and Michelle on Saturday because we had travelled to Pueblo, CO to say farewell to our own relative who is dying of cancer. My two daughters and my niece were able to shake the hands of our next President and First Lady because of that strange coincidence. They are inspired in a way that nothing else could have in this day and age.

I want to thank you for your strong integrity, your clear sincerity, and your commitment to your family-which has led you to act on behalf of mine. As it happens, I have an understanding of how it feels to be so close to an historic victory simultaneously with a deep grief.

May peace be with your grandmother and with you in this difficult--yet unbelievably exciting--time.

[wronghead]

I am sure someone has mentioned this, but has anyone stopped to look and see who paid for McCain to suspend his campaign and "rush back to Washington?"

[mlaiuppa]

He uses his wife's private plane all of the time. And doesn't declare it as a campaign donation or expense.

Let the California Republican Party investigate that.

[Penmaiden]

It"s not "really" the candidate- the Obama or the Mccain who is running, It"s their advisers, vice presidents and interested factions, at least put these guys pictures in the paper somewhere, (and dart manufacturers excellent opportunity here). Candidates can be lovable like Rover, but the others are ringing the dinner bell.
So you can make all the technology and polls and computer stuff and high paying analyst obsolete by just writing your own name as a write in candidate... What a way to show "em media elites...
http://rubent99.blogspot.com/

[patriotic008]

huh???????????

[MizFlagPin]

If you hear the dogs, keep going
If you see the torches burning in the woods, keep going
If they call your name Barack, don't stop, keep going

You're almost there, don't look back, just keep going

[DaBluAce]

funny

[JGAZ]

We won't forget this one RNC...

RIP Grandma

Obama 08

[dare2tryobama]

This is what we have been dealing with for the last 8 freaking years. I am so sick of these heartless people. So what he took the jet, Palin used Alaska's helicopter that was for 911 for her personal use. She used it more than 911 did. During this campaign Alaska paid for her kids trips and rooms and whatever else they used.

Oh I forgot, it's ok for THEM to do it but not anyone else. They live such a double standard life, I don't know how they complete anything of if they know which personality completed the task. You never know who you are going to get these days.

I am just glad that I know on tomorrow, the American People will deliver Barak Obama as our next Presidient of THESE United States of America!!!

[llisa]

You said it.

[terragazelle60]

I believe that with not takeing cam[paign financing Obama does not have the limits that McCain might have. But McCain uses his wife's plane all the time. Does he pay for it? Since the plane belongs to his wife's corporation is it really a company perk that is against McCain-Feingold? Or is it only those with rich wives that have the right to do what ever they want?

[NoLongerRepublican]

Leave it to the RNC to pull a stunt like this on the day his grandmother dies. Scumbags. They'll do anything to Swiftboat a candidate.

[cat3]

Although I am a republican, I decided after the Primary that I was voting for Barrack.
I have been a registered Republican for 42 years but after this election, my name is
coming off their rolls.
They are despicable. I am ashamed to have my name associated with them.
Barrack had a legitimate reason for going to visit his Grandmother and thankfully he
did, as we found out today that she passed.
Do they really believe that the Secret Service would have allowed him to take a commercial
flight? Why are they so worried about Barracks campaign funds? We are the ones who
supported him & donated the funds and we aren't worried about it.
I guess spending 150,000 to dress up Palin is OK but Barrack visiting his dying Grandmother
isn't.
A vote for McCain/Palin with all the hate they are spewing will put this country back 50 years
Lets send them BOTH back to Alaska!!!

Another reason to Vote for Barrack and the change we so DESPERATELY NEED.

Lets stop the hate.

[athenasword]

Bravo and thanks. I am sure your opinion is shared by many others who will also be leaving the GOP.

[msjimmied]

Does the helicopter ride for McCain to Letterman's show count? And Palin's kids tours of America while they should be in school? WTF??!!

[cat3]

And what about when he put his campaign on hold to run back to Washington to
save us all from the financial collapse.
How did he get there? Walk???

[RatesAnalyst]

Unlike many of you, I have donated no money to Obama and will not vote for him either today or tomorrow.

The reason is simple: I'm not an American so I'm not allowed.

However, if, as the Republicans alledge, the flying to Hawaii was completely personal and had no political connotations, then I would be allowed to donate to a "Help Barrack Visit His Grandmother" fund. Its completely non-political you see.

I suspect that if you threw the donation pot out to the rest of the world, you would really see some fundraising in double-quick time.

Think of it as the one thing us foreigners are allowed to do for the campaign... A nice gesture by us progressives in other countries.

[MizFlagPin]

WOW!!

We'll see how this latest G'OP trick will play out. Probably another ploy that has no future.

[athenasword]

There should be some way for people in other countries to contribute like this. It would be a wonderful gesture. Living abroad, I am clear how much this election means to people around the world. Thank you for following the election and supporting Barack.

[JNagarya]

A friend here or there has said all along that it appears McSame is doing everything he can to lose this campaign.

I'm now convinced that's teh fact, because that is the inescapable result of this bizaare -- blatantly sociopathic -- attack.