March 27, 2008
Posted: 10:12 AM ET
ALT TEXT

Abbi Tatton reports on the latest FEC headache for John McCain.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A group of liberal bloggers filed a complaint to the Federal Election Commission, saying Sen. John McCain is breaking campaign finance law.

The McCain campaign reported spending $58 million this election cycle, which is a few million more than what is permitted for candidates who commit to public financing in the primaries.

Led by bloggers at Firedoglake and DailyKos, the group submitted a complaint to the FEC on Tuesday, and is asking for more signatures online to be added to another, larger complaint.

McCain signed up for the guaranteed public money last year, but in February, his campaign wrote a letter to the FEC announcing he would turn down government matching funds for his primary campaign.

FEC Chair David Mason replied that the four commissioners must first vote in favor of the withdrawal request — a development which is not possible right now, as vacancies leave only two commissioners in the FEC.

A McCain campaign official says the complaint is "frivolous and without merit."

Last month, the Democratic National Committee filed a similar FEC complaint against McCain, charging that he was not eligible to withdraw from the public financing system and the strict spending limits it requires.

–CNN's Eric Weisbrod and Abbi Tatton

Filed under: John McCain


Conservative   March 27th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

I hope this means we push McCain aside and nominate America's real choice, Ron Paul

BLR   March 27th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

Cheaters, liars, and swine. If McCain had honor, he'd acknowledge his lack of an ability to plan accordingly initially, and follow the rules he agreed to. Instead, he's tossing his pork right and left and pretending that the rules don't apply to him. I have a hard time comprehending why this isn't getting more coverage than it has.

More of the same. I can't believe I voted for this "Maverick" in 2000.

NELSON Colorado Springs, Co   March 27th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Why are the bloggers at Firedoglake and DailyKos filed a complaint to the Federal Election Commission, saying Sen. John McCain is breaking campaign finance law? It not there money, not bad $58 millions for a $300,000 a year job. ok!

mary cleveland, ohio   March 27th, 2008 1:56 pm ET

The idea isn't for McCain to have parity. The idea is he has disregarded, actually broken his word. First, this is a capitalist country (although many don't like what capitalism has come to mean here) and McCain and the Republicans should be the first to say that when it comes to money there should never be parity. Secondly, McCain made an agreement and has broken his agreement. Not a good sign of his future behavior.

Doug R.   March 27th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

McCain is a two faced flip flopper. It's disgusting that he is allowed to spend any taxpayer money on his campaign. He does not represent the American people in the least. Let him get money from the Republican party and other sources. He doesn't deserve any money whatsoever from the taxpayers.

tim   March 27th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

i think that you liberals are just stupid you want himto limit his amount of money he can raise and on the other hand allow(want the dems. to raise as much money as they want think about this if you are smarted enough. that treedle dee and tweedle dumb raised more then he did in one month than he did this whole campaign who needs dems when all they are out for is to steal more of my money that i have worked for

truth be told   March 27th, 2008 1:09 pm ET

Jimmy,

the problem is that he can't have it both ways…

Diane from Virginia   March 27th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

Whatever happened to the investigation into McCain being born outside the United States??? I understood that anyone running for Commander and Chief of the United States MUST of been born here. I want to know the real answer or is this being swept under the rug hoping it will go away?

Now the money issue……Why is McCain getting away with breaking all the rules ?

Charlotte   March 27th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Sounds like the dems. don't want to fight fair on the money front, this should also apply to Obama who was in favor of using public finance in the beginning.

Kareem from Hampton VA   March 27th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

Is this the same FEC that McCain tried to slam Obama on!! WOW!! I guess this IS straight talk for a Republican!

Pennsylvanians! DON'T FALL FOR IT!   March 27th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

Yeah and her husband doesn't see a problem with continuing to fight dirty as his speech inferred yesterday—

he claims the clintons are fighters, yes, dirty fighters, under handed fighters— they change the rules to fit their needs and the media continues to support…

theirs fighting dirty and their fighting FAIR— the clintons have sabbotaged this party and the will and voice of the people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There you go twisting what Polosi has said about the super delegates..

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN MISGUIDED BY THE CLINTONS RAGE OVER POLOSI—-

POLOSI IS NOT AGAINST PEOPLE VOTING OR BEING HEARD—- WHAT SHE IS SAYING IS, IF YOU LISTENED TO HER STATEMENT (WHICH HAS BEEN TWISTED BY THE CLINTONS–SURPRISE, SURPRISE) IS THAT BY HAVING THE SUPER DELEGATES BACK THE CANDIDATES WITH THE MOST VOTES, THEY WOULD IN EFFECT BE BACKING THE "WILL" OF THE PEOPLE!!!!!

WHY SHOULD THE SUPER DELEGATES DECIDE???? WHEN WE THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!!!!!!!!! POLOSI IS FAVORING A MAJORITY RULE, THAT'S WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS ALL ABOUT!!!!

BUT BECAUSE CURRENTLY THAT DOESN'T FAVOR THE CLINTONS THEY'RE UP IN ARMS—- DO YOU THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE MAKING A BIG DEAL OUT OF HER STATEMENT IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT???? OF COURSE NOT….

DIRTY PLAYERS- THE CLINTONS!

Mike in Houston   March 27th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

Far left loonies already getting mobilized. Should be a sprited and divisive next few months.

THE COMPLAINT HAS MERIT   March 27th, 2008 12:23 pm ET

ISN'T IT CONVENIENT TO NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMMISSIONERS ON BENCH. MCWAR PROBABLY SPENT $10 MILLION OF OUR TAX MONEY ON HIS CAMPAIGN, IT HAS BECOME COMMON PRACTICE FOR MCWAR TO DIP IN WRONG POCKET. HE'S DONE IT BEFORE.

Jim Kansas   March 27th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

It is not appear to be frivolous. What seems patheic is the fact that the FEC has not acted on previous filings and made it's determination yet. The fact that the FEC is not capable of performing its functions currently do to vacancies should be a major concern.

Fact is that McCain did infact file for public funs, the question that has yet to be determined is did he lock himself in, if he did then he is inviolation of election funding laws or did he withdraw in time to permit him to go on a spending spee. Personnally, if I was not involation of election finance laws, I would want the FEC to make a ruling and make a ruling now not tommrrow.

jimmy vekmen   March 27th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

I beieve that Mccain should be allowed to raise as much money as he can without constraints in order to match the Democratic candidates and have parity. Why should he be limited in the amount of money he needs to raise for his campaign. It would be an even playing field if he were allowed to do so. It is fair and just for an election that is crucial and historic..

Bored of Bias   March 27th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

Every dollar McCain raises from now until November is against federal election laws. AGAINST THE LAW.

It's not a difficult concept.

And yet, for some reason I doubt I'll see a lot of media coverage of his illegal campaign. I guess it's ok to subvert democracy and break the law if your a 'maverick'. Right?

chicago chris   March 27th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Surprise surprise. McCain backtracking on taking the public's money after he tried to be all high and mighty towards Barack because Barack wouldn't renounce fundraising. Say one thing and do the other when the odds are against you. I hope his other policies aren't like this. And for all the Obama haters who say that he is a racist because his pastor made some racially charged speeches years ago think about this; if you pastor molests a little boy 10 years ago does that make you a pedophile because you trusted him for those 10 years afterwards? Obviously Barack is not a racist against whites or blacks. Any of you who think he is now b/c of Rev. Wright were never going to vote for him anyways and are using this story to justify your already formed opinions, whether it was because of a racist speech or some other non-issue. Also for for Dems who will vote for a Rep. b/c their nominee isn't elected, you are stupid too. At least vote for Nader on principle b/c if McCain is elected then at least you tried your part to get our troops out.

A REAL American   March 27th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Is this all liberals have on McCain? Pathetic, to say the least…. but not surprising, considering the sites that the complaint is coming from. They should get back to what they do best, which is spewing idiotic and hateful filth on the net.

George   March 27th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

As to the "saddle up" comment; he should then be ready re: references to Monica in White House–where was his wife…the candidate–where was the oversight –maybe it was consensual all the way around–don't like it–then "saddle up" !!

And, most importantly for trivia buffs, the only eligible candidate that could claim a "double" family impeachment would be Hillary. Now, that would make history. The first was nailed for lying–she has already shown a similar propensity !!!

Brian   March 27th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

Where can I sign?

Wayne, Greenville TX   March 27th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

A McCain campaign official says the complaint is "frivolous and without merit."

Actually, John McCain is frivolous and without merit. :-)

Ross in MD   March 27th, 2008 12:03 pm ET

I guess that straight-talk express got a flat tire huh McBush?

This from the guy who was championing campaign finance reform. Now he doesn't follow his own rules and breaks the law without remorse.

He is Bush III.

Justin from West Haven, CT   March 27th, 2008 12:01 pm ET

McCain- Savings and Loan didn't stop this guy from bailing out people. Why would McCain follow FEC rules when they cannot even function currently? The FEC is a joke.

A   March 27th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Alls I have to say is Kerry/McCain 04…lol

ALBO   March 27th, 2008 11:58 am ET

These Individual should send the complaint to the US Senate, which has violated its obligation to maintain the FEC operative, Or should McCain suspend his activities as long as the Democratic majority
dign itself to do so ??

THIS IS A NEW EXAMPLE OF THE CLINTONS DESPERATION AND
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY. AS THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THAT SUCH COMPLAINT HAS NO SUBSTANCE, THEY TRY ANYWAY TO
PERFORM A PUBLIC RELATION STUNT AND HIDE BEHIND BLOGGERS (!!).
AND OF COURSE: THE MEDIA, EVEN IF KNOWING BETTER, WILL GRAB ANY HANDLE TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL RATING !!

ALBO

CHERYL   March 27th, 2008 11:57 am ET

OBAMA WILL LOSE TO McCAIN NO QUESTION!!!!!

THE GOP ARE CIRCLING AND WAITING!!!!!!

MONEY CANNOT BUY TRUST!!!!!!!

GO HILLARY 2009!!!!!!

CHERYL   March 27th, 2008 11:55 am ET

THIS IS ALL PETTY!

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WHO THE BEST PERSON IS FOR THE JOB!

McCAIN WILL CONTINUE THE WAR!

OBAMA HAS TOO MUCH SCANDAL TO WIN!!!!!

SENATOR CLINTON HAS A STIMULUS PACKAGE AND IS TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE WITH LOSING THEIR HOMES!!!!

WHO IS THE WORKING CANDIDATE?

VERY SIMPLE::::::: HILLARY CLINTON!!!!!!!!!

Chris, Middletown, CT   March 27th, 2008 11:54 am ET

I would like it if it was true – McCain would be punished (and if true…the election commission should be fired as it took a pair of liberal bloggers to report this) – at the same token….I would really a non-partisan commission to study the Clintons to see if the continued financial support of the Chinese government led to the sale of ballistic missile technology to them during his Administration (not hers…as she was never president….HRC supporters…do you think she "misspoke"…again?)

No Way   March 27th, 2008 11:53 am ET

Nice smear tactic. Make sure this gets on the front page of every liberal news network, because I'm sure it will. Then we'll discover that none of the allegations are true, and that he technically stayed within the range, but CNN you will have done your liberal part to try to take down John McCain. Unlike the allegations against Clinton and Obama, which are pretty much ALWAYS true, almost every allegation against McCain has proven inflammatory and misleading. Again, nice try.

Robert in Toronto,ON   March 27th, 2008 11:49 am ET

Riiiiiiight…the guy who can't control the spending on his own campaign, is gonna fix the U.S economy.

Man, if I was living in America – Canada would be looking pretty good right about now.

C'mon over! We have plenty of room, ice cold beer, and Canadian bacon.

Tex   March 27th, 2008 11:46 am ET

We don't have to be liberals or bloggers or Democrats or Republicans to be sick and tired of politicians breaking the elections laws like McCain and thinking that the laws don't apply to them.

Republican politicos do seem to have a lock on being the most hypocritical when it comes to tauting their family families, their Christianity and respect for law and order and then thumbing their noses at the American public as they flaunt "do as I say, not as I do" life practices.

They afterall are the party of Rove, Bush, Gingerich, Limbaugh, etc., etc., etc. and etc.

Darth Vadik, CA   March 27th, 2008 11:44 am ET

ABOUT TIME SOMEBODY BROUGHT THIS FORWARD.

McCAIN BROKE THE LAW, SIMPLE AND TO THE POINT.

….and he hasn't even becomer president yet, I shutter to think what this mad man would do as a president.

McCain Fiengold slippery slope   March 27th, 2008 11:44 am ET

McCain will lose his standing as the "maverick" as he is forced to circumvent his own campaign finance laws. Even the appearence of impropriety is enough to derail his legitimacy. Let's see how he walks this line… All of the other candidates in his party denounced McCain Fiengold. Can he find a VP who supports it on record?

robert   March 27th, 2008 11:43 am ET

Just wait until McCain gets a hold of her.It will be 1999 all over again.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   March 27th, 2008 11:43 am ET

How can McCain first apply for Federal campaign cash and then not take it? There was a report on NPR about the question raised about the possiblity of McCain using the Federal funds as collateral for another loan. Even the appearance of this raises doubts on McCain's abilty to be an honest man. How well is this campaign being planned? He may have secured the nomination, but he hasn't done enough planning. Maybe his election campaign is like Rumsfeld's planning of the conflict in Iraq…

I guess the other question is did he actually get any federal money for his campaign? If he did, what was it spent on and when? All of these are serious questions.

therealist   March 27th, 2008 11:40 am ET

YAAAAAWWWWNNNNN!!!!

Matthew   March 27th, 2008 11:39 am ET

Puerto Rico Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila, superdelegate and Barack Obama supporter, was charged Thursday with 19 counts in a campaign finance probe, including conspiracy to violate U.S. federal campaign laws and giving false testimony to the FBI.

More change we can believe in!

Arlington, TX   March 27th, 2008 11:36 am ET

McCain, like President Bush make up the law as he see fit.

Kirk   March 27th, 2008 11:36 am ET

This is pretty funny, the man who wrote the biggest recent abridgement of the first amendment has run afoul of his own law! Is this guy really the best the Republicans had to offer?

MIKE IN CHICAGO   March 27th, 2008 11:35 am ET

Anyone you thinks Hillary will change politics if she gets in is dead wrong. Just look closely at her campaign. Same old, same old. Hillary and Bill lost all my respect and vote.

Chuck in Oregon   March 27th, 2008 11:31 am ET

Come on DNC and you liberal bloggers. Do you want a fair election where the candidates can compete on a level playing field or do you want to cripple one man in favor of his competetor? The question is althought he filed for matching funds did he in fact accept any money prior to changing his mind? If the answer is NO, then let this alone and let the candidates compete and may the best person in the eyes of the voting public win.

Gavin   March 27th, 2008 11:30 am ET

John McCain may be on his honeymoon right now

but it won't last…

Hillary will quickly take care of that fantasyland the day she wins the nominations.

We need a FIGHTER against McCain, because we all know he will get into the gutter politics.

Voting Hillary May 6th in Indiana !

HOOSIERS 4 HILLARY

Texas Independent   March 27th, 2008 11:28 am ET

Ok…now let's get the details on the Peter Paul vs Clinton case that is pending in California made front and center news too.

Why doesn't CNN and other media address that ongoing case?

Go HILL!   March 27th, 2008 11:27 am ET

OMG…….I take it the Liberals are now very afraid of McCain?

Carolyn   March 27th, 2008 11:25 am ET

Maybe we should also file a complaint for dismissal of Obama. His baggage is heavy from start to finish. Lobbyist don't touch his earmarks either. (Rezko payback for political funding for one:)

NIC   March 27th, 2008 11:24 am ET

It's so funny that the problems and concerns we have today in politics is mainly caused by the media and the constant depictions of what they have and show, over and over and over and over again. The media constantly showing and discussing things that's are irrelevant/small and ignoring the things that matter the most/importance.
I 100% believe in freedom of the press, but I do think there is a line that shouldn't be crossed. Who really knows where that line is, each network draws its own line. But one thing is for sure, and i'm sure many people believe this, that the modern day press is this huge monster we’ve created and cant seem to get any control on it. Instead of the presidential candidates debating and pointing out difference, the media seem to step in (ALL THE TIME) and instigates and forces division and divide (causing arguments and verbal negative fighting). Media should try to info and help the political situation, not ruin it or make it worse. Things are a mess now. Seem like people are more concerned with the bickering that media portrays Hillary and Barack then the huge, disastrous situation our country is in because of the last 7 year under Bush administration. Social Security and Medicare are running out of money because Bush took tax payer dollar and spend it in Iraq, that trillions and trillions of dollars. Just a small portion of that would of fixed both problems. I guess the current President doesn't think this is important. Nor does the media. Food for thought people.

fullbodytransplant   March 27th, 2008 11:23 am ET

Between this, and the Rush Limbo Republicans who are going to get arrested for crossing over to vote Hillary?

I gotta say it was a good day.

Amused, Las Vegas   March 27th, 2008 11:21 am ET

A McCain campaign official says the complaint is "frivolous and without merit."

Wasn't McCain the champion of campaign finance reform? Are the rules not Meant to apply to him?

Maybe he did not foresee the consequences of the rules, but this does not excuse breaking them.

Paul   March 27th, 2008 11:20 am ET

Just like Bush, McCain will do whatever he wants regardless of the rules and laws. This is just a sign of what's to come…..

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