Reply #59: Walker Busted For Illegal Campaign Coordination with a Corporation on Taxpayer's Dime

[L. Coyote]

Political Videos X-Post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x558077

Video: Wis Gov Busted for Illegal Campaign Coordination w/Koch (& Doing it on the Taxpayer's Dime)
by Jud Lounsbury
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/02/26/950113/-Video:-Wis-Gov-Busted-for-Illegal-Campaign-Coordination-w-Koch-%28s-Dime%29-


One aspect that is being under-appreciated in prankgate is that Walker is in serious legal trouble because he asked the person he believed to be billionaire David Koch to run phony "issue advocacy" ads that would benefit Walker and the Republican Party. And he did this solicitation on the taxpayer's dime in the Governor's office.

"Koch": So, what else can we do for you guys down there?

Walker: Well, two things

And then after a long Walker bloviatation, he says:

Walker: So one thing, per your question, is the more groups that are encouraging people not to just show up, but to call lawmakers and tell them to hang firm with governor, the better. Because the more they get reassurance, the easier it is for them to vote "yes"".

"Koch": Right

Walker: The other thing is, more longterm, after this, in the coming weeks and months ahead, particularly in more of these swing areas, alot of these guys, they don't necessarily need ads for them, they're going to need a message ad, reinforcing why this thing was a good thing for the economy... so the extent that that message is out, over and over again, obviously is a good thing.

"Koch": Right, right. We'll back you anyway we can.

What Walker is asking Koch to do is to make an illegal in-kind contribution in the form of millions spent on political ads. Why is it illegal? Because it is illegal for corporations or their thinly-veiled 501(c)(4)s to donate directly or to make in-kind contributions to campaigns, as stated here by the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board:

............ Walker clearly is heard mentioning the word "ad" twice and the fact that he is referring to the phony "issue advocacy" requirement that people call their law maker is proof that Walker knew exactly what he was asking "Koch" to deliver.