Gingrich can't go into a campaign without doing something illegal.

[Justice wanted]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/fec_complaint_filed_over_gingrich_campaign_paying_42k_for_candiates_mailing_list.php?ref=fpnewsfeed


A government watchdog group has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich following a report that his campaign paid Gingrich $42,000 for the use of his personal mailing list without disclosing it in their campaign finance filings. They also asked the FEC to investigation whether Gingrich Productions, Inc. held campaign events in conjunction with his book signings.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Oh this should be good. Anyone got popcorn?

[Angry Dragon]

1. ................

[MADem]

2. The Gingrich campaign paid Gingrich for using Gingrich's personal mailing list?

Am I understanding that right? What utter horseshit! This guy is basically stealing from his donors!

Barbara Bush (the one who looked like George Washington, not the one with the frozen smile or the rowdy youngest one) used her very large Xmas card list when GHWB first got out on the campaign trail, but I don't think even she charged his campaign for the use of her frigging Rolodex!

[Remember Me]

3. Stealing from his donors?

Why on earth do you think he decided to DO this run for President thing?

BUT, there could be a very proper reason (esp. if he had listed it with his finances), and that is all "in kind donations" have to be accounted for at market value. IOW, it's possible he could not have legally used the mailing list for free. (Edited to clarify Rather, that he could not have used it without reporting that it was a donation worth $X amount.

[MADem]

4. Well, sure....but for a guy who likes to regard himself as the smartest blowhard in the room,

that's incredibly stupid of him to be so sloppy with the paperwork.

He shouldn't have had any problem using his own mailing list--it's his, after all. I'm betting he uses his own shirts, socks and underwear in the course of the campaign--why not his own mailing list, like Barbara Bush did?

I do see what you are saying about reporting it as his own donation, and that certainly could be a factor, but this reads like he was actually handed tens of thousands of dollars for using something that he probably aggregated, to a not insignificant extent, while he was serving in public office as Speaker of the House.

Talk about brass!

[former9thward]

5. You better have a lot of popcorn.

The trouble with FEC complaints is that even minor ones take years for a ruling. A totally broken agency and has been for decades.