Obama Campaign Files FEC Complaint Against Pro-Clinton Group

CNN reports:

Barack Obama's campaign has filed a formal complaint over a pro-Hillary Clinton group running ads attacking the Illinois senator on jobs and the economy in the critical primary state of Indiana.

The American Leadership Project, which includes veterans of the Clinton administration and longtime supporters, is a "527," which means it is not bound by federal campaign finance laws as long as it does not directly advocate on behalf of a particular candidate.

The group announced earlier this week that it was planning to buy $700,000 worth of airtime in the state leading up to Tuesday's vote.

The Obama campaign planned a conference call this morning with general counsel Bob Bauer to discuss the specifics of the complaint filed Tuesday with the Federal Elections Commission.

Here's the ad in question:

Comments

[cmrosko]

Concerning negative political attack ads.

Ask yourself, "What would be the public and media reaction to a political ad that showed a candidate's face being smashed with a sledge hammer?"

That's exactly what one of the first political ads of this primary season did over a year ago. It can still be viewed on you-tube with obama's web domain address posted at the end of the ad.
(see you tube "vote different")

The ad was put together by an Obama supporter who was employed with an Obama campaign consulting and web design firm . He also shared an apartment with Obama's Washington D,C. 's campaign spokesman.
See Rawstory (Anti-Hillary '1984' ad creator once lived with Obama spokesman
Michael Roston
Published: Friday March 23, 2007)

Most Obama supporters who criticize Clinton campaign tactics are often themselves being deceptive and hypocritical. Throughout the primary season Obama's camp has conducted e-mail campaigns and teleconferences that actively pushed their followers to exaggerate the notion of Clinton's lack of credibility, a notion that was historically developed and preached for many years by Carl Rove and the republican smear tatcics. The notion that Obama's campaigners are beyond using personal attacks and slander is foolery.

[kellygrrrl]

well, the ad does not tell any LIE

"Vote Different" has no words other than Hillary's own voice and words.

That it is disturbing to see her face on the screen "blown up" is hardly the same as an ad which flat-out "misstates" fact (aka LIE).

[Outsideadog]

Today I saw one Fox 'contributor' by the name of Dan Bartlett join in the celebrations over their 'coup' in getting Sen. Obama's 'favorability' to drop by 7% since the Wright thing.

I discovered that he is Pres. Bush's former counsel who resigned in early 2007 and then became a senior strategist at the Austin Texas division of a company called Public Strategies Inc. which is linked to Fox, Karl Rove, John McCain, and Terry McAuliffe (Hillary Clinton's campaign chief).

Another interesting connection is that Public Strategies Inc. have a client by the name of Diebold Election Systems (the election machine company who have problems counting votes).

See http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Public_Strategies%2C_Inc.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-01-01/talks-1.php
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/oct/02/usa.julianborger1
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/01/AR2007060100626.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9047631

Now do a google on 'The Sedona Five McCain's inner circle'.

Here's the clincher: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/27/AR2006042702251.html

Let's face it...there's a major scandal looming here relating to election fraud.

[Nofoolhere]

I can't believe that these kind of "no substance" attacks keep occurring because if you go to Obama's web site you will find 21 specific issues dealt with in exquisite detail. While I certainly have not heard all of the speeches and accounts of Obamas activities, I am even more surprised that I have yet to hear Obama or any of his surrogates recommend these pages to any detractor who suggests Obama's plans for our nation lack substance.

If you haven't' visited his issue pages, go here and call them to the attention of any detractors you hear who are not immediately countered with the existence of this information.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

[sparkandy]

I went to the issues page. Then I did the same for John McCain. Next is Clinton's. There's a lot of reading to do. So far I'm not impressed with Obama because the phrase 'Obama believes' is used too many times for me to think it's a solid plan. But I'm gonna slog through all of it for all three, then see if I change my mind.

[Cyndee1113]

sparkandy

Thanks for during reseach on it!

[suekzoo]

The fact of the matter is that the electorate is lazy. They don't want to do their homework. They want to turn on the tv and be handed the information. Ain't happen folks. Get a clue. The corporate media is going to protect their own interests. If you want information, go out and seek it!

[BOBZILLA]

Come on HUFFPO- This guy GORILLAMAN is the same person as EDDEE49. Either that or we have two people who have claimed-

"I am a simple 51 years old black man"

50 or 60 times each.

Check out both profiles. This dude is an HRC troll and needs to be sent on his way.

[oldlakelady]

Did you think you'd ever see the day that a Democrat would use a 527 against another Democrat. Yuck! Hillary Clinton and her campaign certainly are bottom feeders. Disgusting though the 24-7 media are sure pushing to take Obama down. None of the stories about Clinton - the misleading, illegal robo calls to NC black voters by a group that has Maggie Williams on their board, the phony nature of the gas tax holiday and it's likely results accoding to many experts, Clinton's poor campaign management - being broke; Bill clinton's connection to the plant closure in Indiana,etc.

[Cyndee1113]

I cannot believe Hillary was at that party. Once a republican always a republican.

[pdsimdars]

This Gorillaman seems to have taken over this thread. I've never seen this before. He is directing all the comments. Can no one shut him up?

[Valkyrie]

Uh, I think everyone should take a look at GORILLA's comments. He's obviously a fake. Really. Look at the way he intentionally mispells (heh) things like "common" for come on and then intentionally gets "you're" wrong for "your."

Any good study of language will show you that poorly-educated people generally go for the least difficult spelling, hence a truly poor speller or person with poor grammar will say "your" instead of "you're."

There are plenty of other instances in his moronic comments. Ignore him. He's a fake. A total fake.

[pagopago]

WOW, Rodham Clinton, if you manage to get into the White House, you will be impeached for your election practices alone - you are currently in a election fraud case in California for nonfiling of 1.2 million in contributions to your 2000 election for the senate and then their are all those falsified $1000 contributions from dishwashers... illegal contributors like Hsu and the foreigner Elton John. I'll bet the Sean Hannitys, Rush Limbaughs and Ann Coulters are foaming at the mouth just waiting to get at you.

[pagopago]

there - not 'their'

[dvdpt]

gorillaman:
WOW ! where did you get your information from Hillary Clinton !
let let me be very clear Forida,Michigan will not and can not be counted.( stupid !)
Hillary is the one who sued to force those states to be counted now listen
the judge said that FLORIDAMICHIGAN can not be COUNTED !
HILLARY BROKE THE RULES she is not above the law
let me give you a little information Hillary has been indited before the primary's
and beg to have the court date after the primary she thought the primary would
be over now that she doesn't have the nomination yet Hillary's court dates will be
before November Election !

[gregjones]

ATTENTION HILLARY SUPPORTERS....CAN YOU DANCE ?

I just checked the forecast for the next 2 weeks in Indiana and N. Carolina and noticed that Hillary may have one major problem ahead....The Weather ! For the next 2 weeks you will notice that all of Hill and Bill's rallys will be in outdoor venues....parks...back yards...parking lots...etc.. The reason? She's so broke she can't afford to rent halls anymore for her appearances. So they are forced to holding their rallys in 'free' outdoor venues. Problem is....it's supposed to rain alot in both Indiana and N. Carolina over the next couple weeks. So what will they do ? They can't afford to go indoors....they can't cancel...And now that she has been known not to pay her bills the halls want their money up front.That's where the Hill supporters come in. If you are a true, strong supporter of Hillary....she needs you all to do an Indian...'Hope it DON'T' raindance ! Seriously....she needs your help. Just stand in the mirror and start your don't raindance jig...but then stop....look in the mirror....and ask yourself.... Is this REALLY who you think should be running America !

p.s. Everytime you see her outside in that black coat....think about it....SHE'S BROKE !

Visit: Blacks4Barack.org
(A Multi-Racial Grassroots Org...Dedicated To Truth)

[BDunne]

What happened to the video? It's gone?

[Sixtwo]

gorillaman: George Bush and his administration has been lying and using bad judgement for 7-1/2 years; Hillary has been lying and using poor/bad judgment for a looooooooooooong time. So, I suppose I'll just have to forgive Obama and give him a chance to take America in the 21st century; i.e. get excperience in the White House like the other two!!!

[Sixtwo]

When people and/or organizations refuse to play by the rules, they are desperate and desperate people/organiztions do desperate things! Is anybody out there now who do not believe Hillary won't do anything to win--she knows what the American Leadership Project Group is up to. This is a 527 group and , according to governing rules, it is not allowed to advocate for a SPECIFIC CANDIDATE!

[meanguy]

there is one 'set' in the race on the democratic side...and hillary has them! obama needs to 'man up' and stop being such a wining little pantywaist...if he can't take this, mccain is going to reduce him to a quivering, blubbering pool of tears

[peskyliberal]

When will Hillary "man" up and declare herself a Republican. I would have a lot more respect for her.

[abouttime]

Note: McCain has already reduced himself as a puppet of greed and duplicity.
Obama is a leader, not a mud-slinger. Voters see through the politics of fear and want clarity and objectivity. This is why his campaign refuses to take the bait that McCain?Clinton pay dearly for in money and prestige.
McCain and Clinton voted for the biggest catastrophy in the history of foreign policy.

"You can bomb the world to pieces,
but you can't bomb the world to peace."
Michael Frante

Sanity will save our beloved country, Obama 08

[akt4pay]

"obama needs to 'man up' and stop being such a wining little pantywaist"

Well there goes the "pantywaist" (sic) vote.

[4wehttam]

Every day that goes by I hate Hellary more and more. Her whole campaign, people surrounding her all have a negative aura around them that they just can't shake off. THEY ALL SEEM TO THINK SHE'S ENTITLED TO THE PRESIDENCY AT ALL COSTS. Sick.

[snobama]

whine whine whine .... more whining...
instead of spending 1 hour with tim russert in the studio why doesn't obama debate clinton ????

obama = chicken in chief

[pdsimdars]

The only constant whiner is Her Royal Clinton (HRC), crying, then whining about the press, whining about the debate questions. Barak just keeps rolling along. What a guy!

[loveamerica4real]

The sad thing is that the media says everyday she can't win. She gets republican votes who switch back to republicans the next day. Listen to Rush & you will see Hillary isn't beating Obama on her own. She knows this but she doesn't care. When she speaks - she speaks as if she really could become president - how is that????? Oh the super delegates have to overturn the will of the majority. Sounds like she is a republican. Be true to yourself Hillary you are a Republican.

[Myshkin57]

He doesn't want to debate Hillary because she only wants to appeal to those people who think you win a debate by getting in the best unwitty one-liner. The only time I've seen her say anything substantive in the debates is when she proposed enormous middle east intervention.

She just wants another opportunity to throw a bunch of slime and see what sticks.

[chery]

They've debated 21 times already! If Hillary has anything else to say to the public, then let her pay for time to do so! Why would Obama take up precious campaign time to hold the hand of a loser? Geez... get the woman a babysitter already! It's crunch time, and no one wants to babysit Hillary!

[SicPlurisPoenaPrestantia]

What, did you miss the first 21?

Hillary=Thief In Chief

[melelo]

I think it is time for Hillary to bow out with grace and go to the senat and pass some health care bill, yes we will.

[mhoiles]

Then the dems will not have a nominee, because Barry is done.

[skepticalindenver]

She has passed the poitn of bowing out gracefully some time ago.

[pdsimdars]

No grace left.

[YvonneH]

I smell "Clintons" all over this ad. Typically, another low blow.....

[TrollsTakeYourMedstoo]

It's a political campaign. For Gawd's sake. Is this the first campaign you Obama supporters have ever paid attention too!!! Geesh....as Bill Clinton says, "It's a contact sport. If you don't want to get hit, don't suit up".

[DragonMama]

Actually, no, I voted for Bill Clinton, then Al Gore, then John Kerry. And this year I'll be voting for Barack Obama. Hillary is not a contender. I've paid close attention to every presidential election since I was 3 years old (Regan's in 1980) and accurately predicted the winner each time until W stole it in 2000 (and I actually was pretty sure that he was going to get re-elected, too, tho it depressed the hell out of me when he did).

Bill also told us for the candidate that made us think and gave us hope. That's not his wife.

[SCG2]

The American Leadership Project is operated by:

Jason Kinney, a former senior communications advisor and the chief speechwriter to former California Governor Gray Davis
Erick Mullen, a political consultant who has worked for the presidential campaigns of retired General Wesley Clark, former Senator Bill Bradley, and the 1998 Senate run of Chuck Schumer
Mattis Goldman, a former ad maker for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman U.S. Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Paul Rivera, a senior political adviser for the 2004 Kerry-Edwards campaign, and a former Clinton/Gore White House staffer
Roger Salazar, who worked as assistant press secretary in the Clinton/Gore White House, a national spokesman for Senator John Edwards" during the 2004 presidential race, a national spokesman and the deputy press secretary of the 2000 presidential campaign of Al Gore, and as the press secretary for former California Governor Gray Davis
The law firm representing the group is Remcho, Johansen & Purcell, LLC. Accounting and bookkeeping is being handled by Nancy Warren of the San Francisco-based Warren & Associates LLC.

As a 527, ALP is not required to disclose their donors, and they have chosen not to.[2]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Leadership_Project

[SCCavie93]

I AM SICK OF ALL THINGS BUSH AND CLINTON!

[BenMAF]