Obama PAC Is Active In Key Election States/Lawmakers Receive Funds

[Alamom]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/25/AR2007112501454.html

At this stage of the race, for a presidential candidate, it is a brazen effort to use every avenue to influence an election," Cooper said. "I can't believe the Obama people can keep a straight face and claim these aren't part of the presidential race."



Obama PAC Is Active In Key Election States
N.H., S.C. Lawmakers Receive Funds

By John Solomon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 26, 2007

When Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) launched his presidential campaign in January, he stopped raising money for his Hopefund, the political action committee he used to raise millions for fellow Democrats in previous campaigns. But in recent months, Obama has handed out more than $180,000 from the nearly dormant PAC to local Democratic groups and candidates in the key early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, campaign reports show.

Some of the recipients of Hopefund's largess are state and local politicians who have recently endorsed Obama's presidential bid. Obama's PAC reported giving a $1,000 contribution, for instance, to New Hampshire state Sen. Jacalyn Cilley on July 25, six days before she announced she was endorsing Obama for president.


Likewise, state Rep. J. Todd Rutherford, a lawmaker from South Carolina, received a $1,000 contribution from Obama's PAC on Sept. 24, a few months after he endorsed Obama.

Cilley, who has traveled with Obama around New Hampshire and serves on the campaign's steering committee, said that she decided to endorse him before getting the donation but that the announcement was delayed. She said she even considered sending the check back at one point to eliminate any concerns about appearances.

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The bulk of donations from Obama's PAC to state and local candidates this year went to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. In addition, there were more than $60,000 in donations to national candidates in those same states, including $9,000 for Rep. Paul W. Hodes, the first member of Congress from New Hampshire to endorse Obama earlier this year.



edbr

[wyldwolf]

1. so Obama supporters accuse Hillary of buying endorsements while Obama does it.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. sure looks that way. nt

[ccpup]

2. oh man

change all those Obamas to Hillarys in that article and this Post would have 50 Replies calling for her head -- or worse -- and screaming about Clinton's Sleazy Tactics.

DU: The Home of Selective Outrage

[Alamom]

3. So true. nm

[cali]

4. this is disturbing

and where are those who condemn Clinton for her campaign practices (often justifiably) It demonstrates rank hypocricy if they don't also condemn this.

[Clintonista2]

5. don't worry, they will be here soon to claim that it has "nothing to do with the campaign"

:eyes:

[DeepModem Mom]

6. kick

[sufrommich]

7. k & r. "crickets"!

[Cameron27]

8. So he's buying endorsements now.

Not good.

[Clintonista2]

10. k