Washington (CNN)-It's never too early to play hardball presidential politics. Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus penned a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder asking for an investigation of an "apparent crime" committed by President Barack Obama Monday.
According to Priebus, the crime was committed by the president, in the Map Room, with a video.
Priebus accused the president of recording a fundraising appeal in the Map Room of the White House. He said it is "not part of the White House residence, but rather 'occupied in the discharge of official duties,'" and called for the Department of Justice to investigate.
The Map Room is located on the ground floor of the White House.
"According to multiple individuals with knowledge of the White House's rooms and layout, the video appears to have been recorded in the Map Room...the White House Counsel has indicated that the video was filmed somewhere in the residential portion of the White House," Priebus said.
It is illegal to solicit contributions for a political purpose from any area of the White House "occupied in the discharge of official duties," or, used for purposes of official White House business.
But the Map Room is considered to be part of the White House residence, and has been for decades. The residence is not subject to restrictions placed on rooms used for official business.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz told CNN, "As we've said in the past, this was wholly appropriate and routinely done in past administrations."
"Many lawyers and experts have all said publicly that what this administration is doing is completely above board," Schultz fired back.
Despite the RNC's claims, both Republican and Democratic administrations have considered the Map Room as part of the White House residence.
From CNN Politics
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"Oh please where was the investigation when Bush lied to the american people to ensure his war with Iraq was a go??? "
5th post before a lying lib posted the expected nonsense. Only a Democat can believe that something said by two people can be a lie by one and the truth by another. To decent Americans integrity is a major focal point of voting preference, which means there is never valid reasoning to vote Democrat.
"All of the impeachable offenses Obama has committed, and this is what they come up with?...."
Really? He's committed a whole bunch? Please, do tell....name them for the class. We'll wait right here.
Always something nasty and untruthful to avoid the real issues! And those they do not touch because, they are stuck in a corner with no solutions – and the GOP does not know how to get out of it! Yes, that is what real service to the country looks like with the GOP. One can only say it again: DISGUSTING!!!
If you have nothing to run on- whine. the RNC Montra
Wow. Glad "They, the RNC" is focused on the really important things facing "We, The People."
Pot calling the kettle black...
Reince, is time for you to put away your childish things and act like an adult.
Every business in Wisconsin expects you to be an adult and help solve America's problems.
As Seal Team Six said before their mission to take out Bin Laden...
"For God and Country"
Now grow up and help our country.
"jim
(yaaawn) the republicans have been crying "foul" every time democrats try to do something good for this country."
The only way you are correct is if the entire Republican party was made up on Mimes.
Man, the Repukes are really scared. The more schoolgirl like their bleating, the more they indicate how afraid they are of the well deserved irrelevance that awaits them as a result of such pettiness.
Priebus: quit wasting everyone's time and tell your party to get to work. You are in grave danger of becoming irrelevant under the weight of your own ridiculousness.
BWAAAAAAAA! Sounds like desperation to me! lol
Steele, now this Priebus clown.
Is this really the best the Republicans can come up with? Really?
The more outrageous the lie, the more the uneducated republican voters buy into it.
Sad for our once-great country.
WHAT??????????????? Is this all these idiots we sent to Washington have to think about? No wonder nothing gets done! A bunch of children telling on each other. You can bet I will be voting Democrat in this next election!
if you have mind, brain, just ignore all these GOP idiots, vote for Democratic Ticket...I am doing the same, before telling you all.....o.k, RNC PR BS.....true....
"A fowl". Is this anything like a fowl ball ????? Sheeeeesh. The Repubs are about to shut the country down and the globe with it, and this is the ONLY distraction they can think of. LOL, Great day. A fowl in the Whitehouse basement. LOL.
Jaskask
If you remove the vowels from Reince Priebus' name, it is RNC PR BS.
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GOOD ONE !!! lol
WOW......the Republicans have turned into the Little Rascles !!!!
Didn't we all already establish that it was done in the personal section of the White House? How is this news... so anyone can declare anything and even if it's false it makes the news?? Great job CNN.
Sounds like Reince Priebus is almost as goofy as Michael Steele. Stay classy GOP...
Wake me when it's time to vote. Obama 2012.
So let me get this straight. While the republicans are allegedly looking everywhere to cut spending so they don't have to raise taxes on the wealthy, Rancid wants to spend taxpayer dollars to investigate this rediculousness. What a joke. He's supposed to be amongst the RNC's best and brightest? It's no wonder the RNC is rapidly becoming irrelevant.
With Murdoch down, someone has to carry the torch.....and pitchfork.
Haven't all these 'good christian' rethugs ever heard of the Commandment that says 'thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor????' guess those pesky Commandments don't apply when you're campaigning. they are truly the world's biggest hypocrites and the sooner this useless bunch is religated to the dustbin of history, the better for the country.
Mr. hope and change selling influence to the highest bidder. What a fresh approach huh? Mr. transparent? NOT! Hey at least he is keeping Gitmo open, launching his own wars, and maintaining Bush doctrine in Asia. Yeah, he is a completely different type of politician.