WEST CHESTER, Ohio (CNN) – Sarah Palin questioned Barack Obama’s ties to ACORN in her most forceful and comprehensive language to date, and demanded that the Democratic presidential nominee turn over all communication between the campaign and the progressive organization, which claims to have registered 1.3 million voters nationwide.
“As for ACORN and voter fraud, now they're under federal investigation, and John and are calling on the Obama campaign to release communications it has had with this group and to do so immediately,” Palin told an audience, with House Minority Leader John Boehner applauding on stage behind her.
The FBI confirmed Tuesday that they have begun preliminary a investigation of ACORN’s registration efforts. Palin accused the group of “rampant voter fraud,” although technically they are being accused of voter registration fraud.
“You deserve to know, Palin said. “You deserve to know because we do need to know more clearly about the choices that we have on Nov. 4. In this election, especially here in Ohio, you’re going to be asked to choose between a candidate who will not disavow a group committing voter fraud and a leader who will not tolerate it.”
Obama’s relationship with the community organizing group has been highlighted by Republicans ever since it was accused of submitting fraudulent voter applications in various states, including Ohio. Obama helped train ACORN organizers in Chicago after law school and later represented the group in a 1995 motor voter case that, in Obama’s words, “helped people get registered at DMVs.”
During the Democratic primaries, the campaign paid a group affiliated with ACORN $800,000 for canvassing efforts. ACORN endorsed Obama during the primaries but has not formally backed a candidate in the general election.
Palin said Obama is “fuzzing up his connections” to the group and that the Democrat would drag a lot of baggage” into the Oval Office if elected with ACORN’s help.
“These associations are important,” she said. “They go to the heart of someone's judgment and truthfulness. And it is not mean-spirited, it is not negative campaigning to ask someone about their record. It's in fairness to the electorate.”
The Obama campaign repudiated Palin's criticisms.
"We have not worked with ACORN at all in the general election," said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor. "Rather than make these false, desperate attacks, the McCain-Palin campaign should release an economic plan that actually helps the middle class instead of giving billions in tax cuts to big corporations."
From CNN Politics
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Sarah why don't you talk to the press .. how can we vote for you if we don't know your wonderful ideas?????
This story about Joe the Plumber is utter nonsense. First off, Sen.McCain is the one who dragged his name on TV, during the debates. Now Sen.McCain is claiming he is offended by all the media scrutiny and is blaming Sen.Obama campaign. Yes, Sen.Obama spoke with the so-called plumber. But he did not make him a national celebrity. That was Sen.McCain. As usual, Sen.McCain's campaign is refusing to take responsiblity for their actions and blaming others.
Palin did not cooperate with the investigation on her. Hypocrite.
Palin asking for transparency? What a joke! This woman is corrupt and literally brain dead.
Is she for real? Surely, she jests. Why doesn't she ask her running mate to explain his speech in 2006 at an ACORN conference? I'd like to hear about that.
No one cares about ACORN Sarah. Everything Obama does is somehow secret to you. "He needs to fully explain this!" "He needs to fully explain that!"
How about you admit that you abused your power as Gov. of Alaska huh?
Maybe ACORN is guilty of voter "registration" fraud...but it won't matter since those names that were faked won't be showing up to the polls.
And to Susie...I was very disappointed when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that George W. Bush would be our President without having all the votes counted in Florida, so I guess this makes up for that little error in judgement huh?
Let's call out the true issue here....voter suppression. This is something the Republican party is an expert at. ACORN, nor the Democratic party are committing anything fraudulent or illegal here.
This call for investigation and running out the FBI is BS. It is like saying 'the sky is falling' or like crying 'wolf'. There is nothing there. It is simply a misguided attempt at misdirection.
Much ado about nothing in relation to voter registration issues. This stuff is typical in all registration or petition drives. There is no crisis or fraud here.
Typical Republican BS.
Palin has no idea what she is talking about and when you have nothing to speak about the issues of what the hell is going on in our lives, then you can only run on a smear campaign.
Palin must remember this is voter registration and it was ACORN who brought it to light. Palin just won't stop with the negativity but CNN need to give the Governors abuse of power the same attention as they give on the ACORN issue. We the American people don't care about ACORN, I care that I'm losing 401K and whatever else I have left in the stock market.
If you're still an undecided, google PNAC and read a couple of articles. That will help you make up your mind.
What does this have to do with the economy?
CNN should stop giving this idiot a megaphone until she learns to talk about the things that Americans CARE about. This is not a personality contest, and it's not a talent contest either. I think caribou barbie is confused, but then again, she doesn't know how to think very well in the first place.
BTW, what ACORN is doing might be Voter Registration fraud. But most of these registrations will not be accepted and will not lead to Voter fraud.
I wonder if Palin will bring up the fact that just 2 years ago McCain was the keynote speaker for ACORN, praising them for their good work.. saying that groups like this are what make America great...
I wonder if Obama will put out a commercial showing McCain's speech delivered at an ACORN meeting.
I wonder if Palin will ever subject herself again to an interview where they ask follow up question to make sure that she understands the subjects...
On the lighter side of the news... according to Factcheck, Joe the Plumber just admitted that he personally would actually be much better of under Obama's tax plan than McCain's. I find that hilarious.
Susie, I completely agree. Every republican should protest by not voting!!! Lets show’em how it’s done!
How about the missing W2s for Todd on your tax return? Or the $88,000 that hasn't been reported to the IRS but has been declared?? Care to comment on those you little weasel.
I hate it when she says we deserve to know, or we should ask these questions. We should q
Smoke and mirrors – McPain's only tactic is to lie and cheat their way to the Presidency. That's so NOT presidential.
Maybe Obama can make those documents connecting him to ACORN available for $15 million... sound familiar, Sarah? Let's make a deal. You give up the e-mails at a $15 million discount from your original offer, and we'll show you ACORN.
Hiding behind a fee and yelling that the other person needs to give up their information for free is just the sign of a hypocrite.
With all due respect to the Governor, she perhaps is not the best placed person to question another's judgment and truthfulness.
Hello Governor Palin. Read the facts and you will know that ACORN did not committ fraud. They simply sorted between the correct, questionable and fraudulent cards that they received. Do you really expect Mickey Mouse to try and show up to vote on Nov 4th? Really?
Hey Susie, as opposed to the 2000 Florida election the Republicans stole!
There is only one word that accurately describes the McCain/Palin campaign today – DESPERATE.
Hopefully the American people have wised up to these tactics and will make the choice that will not only benefit America, but also the world.
Obama/Biden '08.
I cannot believe how low McCain and Palin are stooping. I actually admired him until he chose Palin which smacked of desperation, Last night, a friend told me if people fall for it, they deserve what they get. I would say the same thing but I live hear and I already said that about Bush and had to endure him.
I PERSONALLY THINK PALIN NEED TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN PAID JOE THE PLUMMER TO APROACH OBOMA SO THAT THEY COULD USE HIM TO DISCREDIT OBOMAS TAX PLAN
There is no connection, and you darn well know it. Stop trying to mislead and distract America. Obama has answered these charges several times, and the McCain campaign needs to stop lying to the American people to get them to fear Obama. That, "my friends", is disgustingly dirty politics and they should be ashamed of themselves. Anyone who votes for them approves of their tactics and just goes to show how low we have sunk.
Of course, the McCain campaign is uncapable of telling the truth...so maybe I expect too much from a campaign that will put out Joe the plumber who is not Joe and is not a plumber. Someone with possible relations to someone McCain would rather forget, and has strong GOP values. As if it wouldn't be enough that most of America seems to think that "Joe's" comments were repugnant...they seem to line up with the GOP party line.
Sara let see your e-mail, troopergate, what about an IQ test. Sara you got nerves to request something out someone that is really out of you and McCain league, espeacially your.
Face it Sara, you are not a smart lady to be VP.