RNC files FEC complaint about Obama camp's finances
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/06/art.bofec1006.ap.jpg caption="The RNC has asked the FEC to audit every contribution Obama has received from each of his more than 2.5 million donors."]
(CNN) – The Republican National Committee asked the Federal Election Commission Monday to audit the more than $450 million donated to Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Read: The RNC's complaint
Citing multiple media reports about questionable donations to Obama, the GOP is asking the federal agency to audit every contribution to the Democratic nominee – even those from small dollar donors which the campaign is not legally required to itemize on its finance reports to the FEC.
“The RNC believes that” the Obama campaign “has (1) accepted prohibited foreign national contributions and (2) knowingly done so through its failure to reasonably investigate questionable contributions originating abroad,” reads the complaint.
Republicans are also asking the FEC to look into whether Obama’s campaign failed to screen out contributions from individuals that exceeded donation limits when considered together. “FEC reports indicate, and media accounts highlight that [the Obama campaign] repeatedly accepts excessive contributions from individuals, including those with obviously fictitious names,” the complaint says.
The Obama campaign issued a statement Sunday that suggested it was the victim of Internet fraud. “Without accepting a dime from the Washington lobbyists or corporate PACs that have funded John McCain's campaign, our campaign has shattered fundraising records with donations from more than 2.5 million Americans,” Obama-Biden spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement issued Sunday after the RNC announced its plan to seek an FEC audit. “We have gone above and beyond the transparency requirements by disclosing our bundlers and the levels of contributions they raise. We constantly review our donors for any issues and while no organization is completely protected from internet fraud, we will continue to review our fundraising procedures to ensure that we are taking every available to step to root-out improper contributions,” Burton added.
According to the Washington Post, questions have also recently been raised about donations to Sen. John McCain. The Republican nominee's camp has not responded to CNN’s request for comment about the FEC complaint filed Monday by the RNC or about the report that the FEC is also asking for additional information about some contributions to McCain.
Related: RNC says it will seek audit
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Hahaha. This is so funny. So, the FEC sent a complaint to the McCain campaign on Sept. 30th, a WEEK before the RNC wants to try to bring Obama down with the same crap. This is a load of crap. The Republicans know they can't win. Wake up everyone!
grabbing. at. straws. on. thier. way. DOWN.
I think the RNC is scared because Obama is matching or beating their fundraising which is something they are definitely not used to! Another report said that the RNC/McCain/Palin campaign were relying on media reports – the same media they claim are biased against them.
McCain and Palin should ask themselves who the people of this country really want. Obama is raising all this money from ordinary citizens NOT lobbyists or PACs as McCain and Palin are.
If Obama is audited then McCain should also be audited too.
Winner by Knock Out . Obama . Paline go back to Alaska .
I ask every Muslim to vote for Obama and give money To Obama, He is only hope Muslim people have.
Obama is a cheat and those who support him here blindly are the ones are in the tank with him. Barack Obama got lot of money from Saudi and may be even from radicals in Pakistan. They must investigate and find the real truth.
OhioGirl82,
I wasn't aware the Constitution specifically mentioned campaign financing.
In regard to your comment about spelling and grammar – perhaps that is what happens when the current Republican administration tinkers with the education system and takes it in the wrong direction.
Thank you Mr McCain and Mrs Palin for showing the choice for this election is crystal clear!
Anyone supporting your party and it's condescension and sleazy politics is in serious need of a good shaking!
And they call themselves the Christian party? From Hagee, Dobson, and the rest of you hypocrites......PATHETIC AND DELUSIONAL!
My vote is steadfast and unshakable for the only man of integrity, knowledge and truth in this election! BARACK OBAMA!!!
Obama/Biden 08
A man killed his mother in law, his wife, and his three sons and then killed himself because he couldnt find a job. He had an MBA in Finance. Talk about this crisis and how its tearing us apart and not petty smear tactics. You republicans make me sick you are garbage and racist.
As an outsider looking in.....and very close to Alaska....the only choice and best choice for America is Obama!
Integrity, truth, knowledge, empathy, life experience and being in touch are true traits of not only a good man, but a great leader and president!
Dennis from Chicago - Hey, Obama was born in HAWAII. It's a state. You can find it on a map. Go look.
Obama-community organizer...nothing more, nothing less except for the fact that he is over qualified to be president of France or Sweden or Kenya.....
Now Obama Campaign can request where McCains donations come from.
So you finally leave one door open????""
The Real Super-star of the 20th Centrury...Hsrry Webb? AKA Cliff Ritchard's?? You should welcome this Fenonomion....
Your missing out.... My?????????????????????
Just want to thank the Obama campaign personnel for the way that they have run this campaign. Every election year, I would get so sick and tired of hearing the "smears" from the candidates.
It is sad, but it appears that Americans like that sort of thing back then, but it is a new kind of voter out there this time and I am happy that they don't like this kind of thing going on. Let's stick to what is important and that is, "how to get this country's economy going again".
Also, it is time that we punish those that are greedy for filthy lucre at the expense of others. These CEOs need to bite the bullet for their part in what is happening on Wall Street and Main street today.
These "FAT CATS" need to be made to "eat some pork"! Instead of causing the average worker to now begin to kill their families and themselves for the economic failures that have cost them everything.
Say goodnight, John!
ok and how much tax payer money will it take to investigate all of these, just so maybe you can say , look look. repubs just wasting more tax dollars to win at any cost, even ours.
God, you can just hear the loud sucking noise under the McCain/Palin campaign as they get flushed. Although I suppose it's not suprising they're fighting reality every step of the way. They know they're finished, so rather than taking the high road, they'll try to drag Obama and Biden down to their level.
Enjoy retirement, John. Enjoy grandmotherhood, Sarah.
McCain seem to be forgetting that today, we all have access to independent research and can track down facts. The only people these type of smear will influence are the Sara Palin crowd that do not read the news paper and just co-opt other peoples (FOX NEWS) talking point and make it their own.
Give it a rest McCain. Tell us what you will do for the country not Who Obama's acquaintances are.
Cripes, I get a donation request at least twice a day from Obama's campaign! No wonder he gets the bucks. I have contributed a couple of times. However, it is amazing that he gets people to continue to contribute and I think he hits enough people with small amounts a couple of times. I don think he NEEDS foreign money. Maybe some slipped through but McCain may have the same problem.
That's fine - but, let's take a look at BOTH campaigns!
when millions of people come forward to help, opposite party is like to take a chance. in course of audit, it should be examined in depth whether such contributor(s), if there is/are any, are planted by RNC. they have watergate record. they have rove around them.
azad, new york.
I think the Republicans are starting to see they aren't going to win because they Americans aren't being fooled this election.
Give it a rest, RNC. It's behavior like this that are driving independents and even Republicans away in droves.
Just imagine if McCain gets this mad over losing in the polls that he has to start pulling all these horrible stunts. Think about what he would do as President and another country made him mad. We would be at war with the whole world. Not what we need