Romney Broke The Law By Raising Money From Foreign Donors. Should He Be Disqualified?

[eridani]

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/08/14/romney-broke-the-law-by-raising-money-from-foreign-donors-should-he-be-disqualified/

Is Romney ineligible to become the next President of the United States of America? It’s a very real possibility, especially since he threw a few fundraisers during his disastrous little overseas meet n’ greet a few weeks ago. These fundraisers were extremely private, with no journalists present (with a single exception, who did not have access to the donors), no filming or photography allowed, no diligence done, and no donor IDs checked. If money changed hands at these rich shin-digs (which is quite probable, being fundraisers and all), Romney could be in a lot of trouble.

<snip>

“Romney has raised millions in foreign cash at fundraising event across Israel and London, those that we know of so far. One table alone gave him a million in cash. None was from American citizens. Fewer than 10% of Romney’s contributors in Israel are estimated to be “dual citizens.” Others may have just flown the money in.”

[Angry Dragon]

1. that plus the drug money he has in his foreign accounts

[Ian62]

12. It would certainly be interesting to see an investigation started

as to whether Bain Capital laundered drug money cash as part of its activities.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. The guy should be disqualified because he is an idiot.

[TroyD]

3. What are the current rules on foreign donors?

Is it only SuperPACs that can raise foreign money, rather than the candidates directly?

[Ian62]

13. If you are not an American citizen

you cannot donate.
If you hold US and somewhere else dual nationality, you are allowed to donate.

It does not matter if it is to a SuperPac or to a candidate's campaign directly (or to the RNC or DNC).

[renate]

16. interesting!

I thought one of the many, many problems with the Citizens United decision was that it enabled anybody from any country to donate to a presidential campaign--even corporations, them being people and all.

If you're right, this is great news.

[Lil Missy]

4. I'm not sure that's illegal now - with Citizen's United ruling

[TroyD]

6. Yeah, that's what I'm wondering too

I'm not sure if it's illegal because I think George Clooney did an overseas fundraiser for Obama this summer.

[Ian62]

14. If you are a US citizen living abroad you can donate.

It is illegal for a US election campaign or SuperPacs to accept donations from non US citizens.

[Kalidurga]

5. Just throw it on the pile in the corner...

there are hundreds or millions(in the Cayman Islands) of reasons Romney should be disqualified.

1. He was an illegitimate Governor, since he didn't live the required 7 years in Mass. before running for Governor.

2. He committed voter fraud.

3. Impersonation of law enforcement officials.

4. Took advantage of tax amnesty.

5. Pioneer of outsourcing.

6. Wants to fire Big Bird.

7. Has a fondness for impromptu hair cuts.

8. Loves pranking people in an assault and battery sort of way.

9. Cruelty to animals and fraud.

10. He has no/multiple positions on any and every issue.

11. He is a racist.

12. He insults our allies.

13. He likes to fire people.

14. Tan in a can.

15. He has no clue what life is like for the average American.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

7. I'd disqualify him from the Presidency for jaywalking if that was possible

I wouldn't care if it's fair or not. I think Romney is a looming danger for the country if he ever gets near the White House. I'd look for any reason to disqualify the SOB.

[courseofhistory]

8. The SCOTUS says you can't co it

Supreme Court Retains Ban on Foreign Campaign Donations

By JOHN H. CUSHMAN JR.

In a terse four words, the Supreme Court on Monday issued an order upholding prohibitions against foreigners making contributions to influence American elections.


The decision clamped shut an opening that some thought the court had created two years ago in its Citizens United decision, when it relaxed campaign-finance limits on corporations and labor unions. On Monday the Supreme Court, upholding a lower court’s decision in Bluman, et al., v. Federal Election Commission, refused to extend its reasoning in Citizens United to cover foreigners living temporarily here.

Foreign nationals, other than lawful permanent residents, are completely banned from donating to candidates or parties, or making independent expenditures in federal, state or local elections

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2012/08/12/foreign-cash-disqualifies-romney-from-presidential-bid/

[NYC Liberal]

9. It wouldn't make him ineligible for the presidency, but he could, as the article says, be in a lot

of trouble if he actually did break the law.

[Kablooie]

10. If Romney by some chance of fate or chicanery won the presidency...

This would probably mean he would be impeached.

Which would leave us with 4 years of PRESIDENT RYAN!

Now THAT'S something I haven't heard anyone cogitating much.

[Ian62]

15. The only difference between Romney and Ryan

is that Romney does not have extreme bigoted anti women and social rights like Ryan.
(Romney is totally ambivalent on these issues - the only interest Romney has is making big $$$$$ for himself, his large donors and his major political backers.)

Romney is also ambivalent on whether his activities are legal or illegal (as long as he does not think he will receive jail time for them).

Both are reckless spending warmongering neocons.
Both are deeply corrupt.
Both are in favor of the 0.01% at the expense of the 99%.
Both are in favor of large corporate interests even if that means the destruction of the middle classes.
Both are hypocrites.
Both lie constantly.
Neither would create ANY AMERICAN jobs.

[Skittles]

11. no

let the American people see how that rich bastard gets his money - he has NO scruples

[Spider Jerusalem]

17. I think that it's probably a non-issue, honestly

I sincerely doubt that Romney would have been stupid enough to solicit money from foreign donors. There are a significant number of Israelis with dual US citizenship; there are a significant number of US citizens who work in finance in the City of London. The rules on fundraising and campaign contributions are pretty strict and it would be political suicide for any campaign to violate them knowingly. I for one, as an American living abroad, am not too impressed by the ugly xenophobia that seems to be saying "candidates shouldn't solicit contributions from expatriate US citizens".