Another Edition of IOKIYAR — Christine O’Donnell Saved by the GOP

Filed in Delaware, National by on June 29, 2011

So the rest of the story of how the FEC charges against O’Donnell got dropped finally comes out. And she is saved from having to account for her mismanagement of campaign funds by the Republican commissioners on the FEC. Even though they specifically voted against the recommendation of the FEC general counsel:

The Republican members’ decision went against the recommendations of the general counsel for the FEC, who found there was reason to believe that O’Donnell accepted excessive in-kind contributions in the form of coordinated expenditures from TeaPartyExpress.org.
The FEC’s General Counsel said there was enough evidence for a probe to move forward, citing a Facebook posting by Evan Quietsch, the press secretary for O’Donnell’s committee, which indicated he spoke with Tea Party Express daily.

The three Democratic commissioners provided detail on why they thought the Friends of Christine O’Donnell committee’s behavior ought to be investigated further (pdf), and that still surrounds the behavior of one Evan Quietsch acting on behalf of the campaign:

In this case, the complaint included information that supported finding reason to believe that O’Donnell or members of her campaign staff may have coordinated expenditures with TPAC. The Respondents have failed to provide information sufficient to rebut the complaint. The Commission should therefore take the next step and complete a limited investigation into whether O’Donnell, the Committee, and TPAC coordinated expenditures. If the investigation did not establish probable cause, the Commission would close the matter.

The complaint alleged and included a video showing that O’Donnell appeared at apparent TPAC events on September 1,2010 and September 7,2010. The complaint also alleges that O’Donnell participated in TPAC’s “Radiothon for Christine O’Donnell” on September 9,2010. According to foe Facebook page for the event, which was included in the complaint, the event was “a special broadcast by the Tea Party Express to raise money and awareness for the conservative candidate for US senate Christine O’Donnell.” The radiothon was aired on WDEL 1150 AM, as well as on the Internet at WDEL.com. The complaint also includes two statements made by Evan Quietsch, the Committee’s press secretary, on his Facebook page on September 2, 2010 regarding the radiothon. The first post, made at 11:51am, stated: “Tea Party Express Radiothon on #wdel@ 7PM Thurs Sept. 9th #delaware #netde ur calls and guests discuss #desen race #tpp #tpx listen online www.wdel.com.” Quietech’s second post, made about three hours
later, was apparentiy directed to a staff member of the radio station and stated: “@Jensenl 150WDEL let me know if you want to know about the Tea Party Express as I speak
w/them daily
” (emphasis added).
[…]
Respondents’ counsel acknowledged O’Donnell’s appearance at the press conference on September 7,2010, but generally denied any other appearances at TPAC events or communication between TPAC and O’Donnell or Committee staff. This statement, however, is contradicted by both Quietsch’s statement and the video of O’Donnell’s appearance at an apparent second TPAC event on September 1. Furthermore, the letter from Respondents’ counsel did not specifically address O’Donnell’s possible participation in the radiothon or the coordination allegations regarding for the specific event.
[…]
Here, the campaign press secretary represented to a radio station employee that he spoke daily with the third party paying for a supposedly independent communication on that radio station,” they wrote. “If that is not enough information to begin an investigation into coordination, it is unclear what would be enough.

Indeed. When your campaign staff takes to Facebook and Twitter to announce his coordination with other parties, this is something to look at. But accountability or even honor isn’t exactly a Republican trait these days. The rule of law doesn’t apply to those who are bleating the most about *other people’s* relationship to the rule of law. O”Donnell dodged a bullet here and she dodged one because the members of her tribe decided to close ranks rather than try to flush out the misbehavior. Which means that there will be more of this from her and the teajadi crew. Because they just got told that they’re going to be allowed to get away with murder.

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"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." -Shirley Chisholm

Comments (14)

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  1. delbert says:

    Well it’s about time they quit beating a dead horse to death. Hell, she lost the election. Leave her the hell alone. At least she got in there and got rid of Castle for everyone….and showed you dems where you need to brush up a little.

  2. cassandra_m says:

    So you will not be commenting on Democrats with possible election malfeasance issues — check.

  3. Aoine says:

    never want to hear anothe rethig kvetch again about ethics issues nor DP clowns pound their chest about Christianity

    hypocrites and liars – and not even honest about that either

    Wonder if Bill Colley will put this up on WGMD or the american resistance?? think not

  4. puck says:

    You know if a Dem were up before that panel with the same kind of evidence, at least one of the Dem commissioners would have the integrity to defect.

  5. Anthony Weiner – all Democrats say he must resign

    David Vitter – applause from Republicans.

    puck is right.

  6. cassandra m says:

    Don’t forget that they are applauding Clarence Thomas too……

  7. MJ says:

    The rethuglicans could use a lesson from George Washington (I cannot tell a lie), but then again, they believe Washington was a wimp because he wouldn’t lie.

  8. Torque says:

    The Jackassorcrats could use a lesson in fiscal responsibility starting at the top with Hussein Obama

  9. Geezer says:

    You misspelled your name. It should be “dorque.”

  10. Torque says:

    You misspelled your name, it should be Sleezer

  11. Geezer says:

    Nice. You don’t even know how to spell “sleaze,” even though you are one.

  12. Torque says:

    I know how to spell sleazer. I’m using the Sleezer version to describe your habits. You might as well go back to being a food critic and pork on some more weight.

  13. Geezer says:

    That makes as little sense as your first comment. Always nice to hear from the little, unimportant people, though. Thanks for dropping by.