Reince Priebus, RNC Chair: Obama Fundraising Video Should Be Investigated For 'Criminal Behavior'

WASHINGTON -- The head of the Republican National Committee is asking for a Justice Department investigation of President Barack Obama over a fundraising video and e-mail that the GOP chief claims is "apparent criminal behavior."

Reince Priebus on Monday wrote Attorney General Eric Holder to complain that Obama's re-election campaign filmed a web video in the White House's Map Room and then mailed it to supporters. Federal law prohibits political activity in government offices; the Map Room is in the executive mansion but not the office-filled West Wing.

Previous presidents have faced questions about political activity in the White House and each of Obama's predecessors has concluded that using the residence does not violate the law. Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton filmed ads at the White House.

Comments

[graceaustin]

10:49 AM on 07/21/2011

Oh, here we go! Maybe they can top the 70 MILLION of TAXPAYER money they spent investigating Clinton! F@@@ing freaks!!

[stacknef]

12:35 AM on 07/21/2011

And George Bush practically rented out the White House to the highest bidders...

[RepsSuck]

08:09 PM on 07/20/2011

"CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BEGINS AT HOME!" Check the MANY REPUBLICAN CRIMES, and then "we'll talk!" Darrell Issa could provide a LOOOOOONG investigation period himself! Republicans have the most unmitigated GALL to POINT FINGERS AT OTHERS! They always accuse others of their OWN CRIMES!!

[OPa Infinity]

05:31 PM on 07/20/2011

I guess he is trying to justify his RNC salary. Besides, GOP pronouncements don't need to make sense or serve any meaningful purpose, sometimes the hot air just needs to be bled off.

[taxi648]

04:35 PM on 07/20/2011

Let's file a class action lawsuit against all the former presidents who did the same thing. You will get a democrat and a republican at the same time. OMG! Of all the things facing this nation, in my world who cares.

[ogates]

04:26 PM on 07/20/2011

Bush first...

[watchandwait]

03:38 PM on 07/20/2011

Why does this entire administration (and its foes) seem like "Clinton redux"? So, what's next? If Obama is elected, they're going to try to impeach him, too? This is madness.

[DocWylie]

03:15 PM on 07/20/2011

If during an examination my oncologist discovered I had a Reince Priebus or any related pathology I would elect to have it excised.

[Jamal1962]

03:05 PM on 07/20/2011

No one seems to be posting on the facts. It is true that many previous Presidents filmed ads from the White House - from the residency rooms of the White House. Carter, Bush, CLinton and others all did that. The point the RNC is making is simply based on law. A federal law dictates: “It shall be unlawful for individuals of the Federal Government, including the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress, to solicit money while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties.”

The issue is The Map Room. Obama claims this is his residence, but the Map Room is not part of his residence. Obama has held many, many official White House events, including the swearing in the Oath of Office in the Map Room. THerefore the Map Room cannot be part of the residence.

If Obama had filmed the video in the residence portion - he would be fine. Using the Map Room clearly broke the law because it is NOT part of his residence. For me, I find it more appalling that the White House is lying about it then merely fessing up and saying, sorry - my mistake. I'll use a room in the residence portion next time. Seems pretty clear. The RNC is technically correct, and Obama did break the law. The big picture is it would be smarter for Obama to solve our nation's problems with our economy than spend time and energy lying about the Map Room.

[OPa Infinity]

05:41 PM on 07/20/2011

Just curious, there is absolutely nothing in the article that implies the White House was lying about the filming or anything else about it, so where does that come from? Have you watched the video, does it actually solicit money? As the President also holds small teas and social gahterings in the Map Room, and it is part of the East Wing which is considered the official residence it could be debated whether the law was broken or not.

[Jamal1962]

09:07 PM on 07/20/2011

I read other newspaper articles and watched video. Obama is asking for campaign donations as raffle ticket chances for a chance to win a dinner with him. (Later, VP Joe Biden was added to the dinner). The issue came up as the room and decor can be seen, so people can see that he is in the Map Room. I felt that the "lie" was in saying this was his residence to try and get around the law, rather than just admitting it was the Map Room. The White House sidestepped the questions when asked about it, according to newspaper reports, and would not admit it was the Map Room. The White House would not answer specifically where the video was shot.

Although the Map Room is in the East Wing, clearly all the official functions that have been held in the Map Room demonstrate that this room is used for official functions - not residence events. Chief Justice Roberts administered the Oath of Office to Obama in the Map Room....so it does not get more "official use" than that.

Anyway, I just feel that people seem to get so far off from the facts and use these issues for mud slinging. It's not right. There's nothing to be gained by all the anger and hate-mongering. American has gone dramatically downhill and it's time for us to pull together as one nation, and work together...and stop tearing everyone down.

Thanks for your comment!

[stacknef]

12:38 AM on 07/21/2011

"The big picture is it would be smarter for Obama to solve our nation's problems with our economy than spend time and energy lying about the Map Room."

The even bigger picture is for Reince to keep his own people from overtly lying to the American people on just about every subject....and to focus on the JOBs he and his fellow liars ran on.

[Jamal1962]

10:21 AM on 07/21/2011

What other lies has Reince told to the American people? Thanks, J

[MadamDeal]

02:16 PM on 07/20/2011

Priebus is a Wisconsin Republican. That's all you need to know.

[niccolina]

01:53 PM on 07/20/2011

yea and you Reince should go straight to he&&

[patters85]

01:50 PM on 07/20/2011

Reince Priebus: Why don't I just weigh the actions of the right against the actions of the left from 1990-2011. Two republican presidents and two democrats. Who should be investigated on what facts of criminal behavior? Who would be jailed for life for their behavior? Of course your facts would probably change as you talk. So I will continue to support President Obama and then I will support the very next President. Who will in all likelyhood be a democrat also. You do nothing to build support for the right. People aren't running to the criminal right. They are running from it thanks to leaders like you. Obama 2012.

[patters85]

01:25 PM on 07/20/2011

As a former Deputy. When investigating an incident you take all statements and way the FACTS. It's a shame that politicians aren't held to the same standard as the rest of us. It is clear that politics in this country are inherently corrupt. Until that fact changes. None of the talk matters. Humans can't be trusted to do the right thing especially the ones that demand total freedom of regulations. It's in our nature to except the things that we want. Some people will do this at all cost. If the level of supervision is low there will always be chaos and disaster looming. Right now republicans are struggling to not go over board again. As democrats struggle to be be fair to all. Two teams playing different games on the same field. It really doesn't matter what Priebus says. If he is leaving out facts. His complaint is invalid for debate.

[Allosaur2010]

10:50 AM on 07/20/2011

Sure, Reince...and while we're at it, let's proceed with those war crime trials.

[anne1stoftwo]

10:18 AM on 07/20/2011

If the Ad was not video taped in the west wing there is no crime. As far as I am concerned, no matter party as long as the person resides in the white house, its their home to do with as they wish. We can't tell them how and what to do at home.