Dems file FEC complaint over alleged GOP laundering scheme

Heh. Problem is that this kind of stuff doesn't resonate with the people all that much, but it can distract the GOPers for a bit.

The Michigan Democratic Party filed an official complaint with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday, alleging that the Michigan Republican Party and the Republican National Committee struck a deal to get around campaign finance limits and launder roughly half a million dollars in contributions from Michigan residents through the RNC and back to the Michigan GOP.

These allegations first came to light with an article in the Daily Caller last week, which we reported on at the time. The Michigan GOP denies any wrongdoing in the matter, but now the FEC will presumably open an investigation reach its own conclusion.

The Daily Caller cited an unnamed source within the GOP:

“It was a known secret that a deal had been struck on the topic,” a former RNC official confirmed to The Daily Caller.

“I think the benefit to them was them getting guaranteed money,” the source said of the Michigan GOP, “and the benefit to the RNC was getting higher fundraising numbers.”

The article also noted that FEC reports showed that a group of Michigan donors all maxed out their contributions to the RNC in the last days of 2009, donating nearly half a million dollars collectively. The RNC then transferred that money back to the state party in two payments in early 2010.

Quickie: Real Dem outraises Blue Dog

By GottaLaff

Today's Quickie:

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) raised about $1.3 million from January to March, her campaign announced Tuesday. Her challenger, Bill Halter, raised $2 million.

There's a reason Halter is pulling in more cash: He's not a fake Democrat. Blanche, on the other hand, will hopefully have to consider starring in own reality show:

That was today's Quickie. Was it good for you?

DNC beats RNC in March cash haul

But I thought Dems were demoralized and unmotivated?

Washington (CNN) - The Democratic National Committee raised at least $13 million in March, a Democratic source tells CNN.

That would be at least $1.6 million more in fundraising than the DNC's counterpart, the Republican National Committee, which reported bringing in $11.4 million last month.

The DNC's March total is at least $5.5 million more than they raised in February. The RNC's total last month is nearly $4 million more than what they raised in February.

The divisive debate over the Democrats' health care reform legislation, which last month passed through Congress and was signed into law by President Obama, is most likely behind much of the bounce in cash.

Your generosity & readership made us #62 on Wikio's Top Political Blogs!

By GottaLaff

(click on image to enlarge)

Dear wonderful readers,

Because of your donations, we reached our fundraising goal! And the icing on the cake? We moved up 20 points in the last couple of months on Wikio's Top Political Blogs to number 62!

There are a kajillion blogs out there, as Paddy pointed out here, and you're pushing us up there to take our place along side with some of the best. What an honor!

Thank you so, so much for your generosity and support. Without you, there would be no Political Carnival.

Next step, finding a way to move to a bigger server to provide you with the best bloggy woggy we can.

Love, Paddy and Laffy

Hopefully Last Fundraiser Post

We're nearly there... And we just got an email from a generous reader who may help us get that new server!

We are running our quarterly fundraiser so if you are able and so inclined, donations can be made at the widget below, the donate button to the side or email us at thepoliticalcarnival at gmail.com for a irl address.

We also now have a subscription service set up where you can pledge a small (or large) monthly amount to help us out. An extra added shout out THANK YOU to those who have already donated. We appreciate the hell out of you.

If we are to keep TPC going, we will need donations, it's as simple as that. We know many of you are in the same boat, or worse, as we are, and we empathize.

So, for those who are able, and are so inclined, we are once again put in the position of asking for assistance.

We thank you so much for your loyal readership, and for your generosity.

We are no fans of these fundraisers, it's not easy asking you to part with your money. So, please know how grateful we are.

Mid Day Distraction

Bonus curling!

Overnight and Fundraising Thread

I couldn't help but find a reason to post this vid. TONIGHT!!!!!

We are running our quarterly fundraiser so if you are able and so inclined, donations can be made at the widget below, the donate button to the side or email us at thepoliticalcarnival at gmail.com for a irl address.

We also now have a subscription service set up where you can pledge a small (or large) monthly amount to help us out. An extra added shout out THANK YOU to those who have already donated. We appreciate the hell out of you.

Video- The President and The First Lady Open 2010 Easter Egg Roll & Evening Fundraiser

By GottaLaff

I woke up to find out that The Political Carnival site had been down for hours on Friday. This is one reason why we must move to a bigger server. And in order to do that, we need money, unfortunately.

I have just been laid off after over 13 years of work at a high school. Paddy gets piecemeal work here and there. This is why we must have these fundraisers.

If we are to keep TPC going, we will need donations, it's as simple as that. We know many of you are in the same boat, or worse, as we are, and we empathize.

So, for those who are able, and are so inclined, we are once again put in the position of asking for assistance.

You can subscribe (aka auto-donate), or you can click on the Paypal button on the right sidebar or widget below and donate any time you can. Now would be a great time.

We thank you so much for your loyal readership, and for your generosity.

We are no fans of these fundraisers, it's not easy asking you to part with your money. So, please know how grateful we are.

**NOTE**
We are over halfway to our goal. Thank you all so very much!!

Love,

Paddy and Laffy

Here's your treat for being so patient and giving:

Mid Day Distraction & Fundraising Thread

We are running our quarterly fundraiser so if you are able and so inclined, donations can be made at the widget below, the donate button to the side or email us at thepoliticalcarnival at gmail.com for a irl address.

We also now have a subscription service set up where you can pledge a small (or large) monthly amount to help us out. An extra added shout out THANK YOU to those who have already donated. We appreciate the hell out of you.

Election 2010 approaching, Democrats outdo GOP on campaign funds

By GottaLaff

Those disorganized Democrats, they can't do anything right.

Oh wait. They passed health care reform. They're turning the economy around. They passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. They're getting us out of Iraq... you get the idea.

And now, they're out raising the Rushpublics:

With eight months to go before congressional elections, House and Senate Democratic candidates exceed in virtually every important campaign fundraising category. Democratic House lawmakers appear likely to reverse their seven-cycle record of being outspent by House Republicans, according to recent finance reports.

Of course, that could change, but for now, let's put on our thinking caps and figure out why this is happening.

Could it be the....

...controversy over lavish and questionable expenditures by the Republican National Committee -- including chartered airplanes and a young Republicans' night out at a bondage-themed nightclub in Hollywood...

Why yes, yes that very well could be a factor.

What about their constant Party of No-itude? Check!

Here comes the H word again... However:

One wild card this year is the impact of last year's Supreme Court decision lifting limits on direct expenditures by corporations or unions on advertising supporting particular candidates. Some Democrats are concerned that corporations might open their checkbooks for their favorites, but an internal Republican fundraising presentation for party leaders in February predicted it would have "NO direct effect on . . . [Republican] parties or candidates."

Likewise, spending this year by regulated advocacy groups, known as "527s," is hard to predict, particularly since a federal court said on March 26 that such groups can now accept unlimited contributions by wealthy individuals.

Stay tuned.

You can read many more details here.

Bonus Mid Day & Fundraising Thread

We are running our quarterly fundraiser so if you are able and so inclined, donations can be made at the widget below, the donate button to the side or email us at thepoliticalcarnival at gmail.com for a irl address.

We also now have a subscription service set up where you can pledge a small (or large) monthly amount to help us out. An extra added shout out THANK YOU to those who have already donated. We appreciate the hell out of you.

Get Yer Big F***ing Tee Shirts!

By GottaLaff

Hey kids! Time for today's lesson, which is, "How to Drop F-Bombs for Fun and Profit":

OFA, the president's political arm housed at the Democratic National Committee, is using Biden's now infamous phrase on a T-shirt to commemorate the signing of health care reform into law.

Donors who give at least $25 will receive "a limited edition 'Health Reform is a BFD' T-shirt in a super-soft, fine jersey (men's) or baby rib (women's) cotton fabric," according to a new fundraising page posted Wednesday on OFA's Web site.

Wow, this is a big f***ing deal. It's not often that a "gaffe" can work out this well.

Oh, and health care reform is a bfd too:

"There are things that are a big deal - birthdays, anniversaries, the NCAA Championship game," OFA wrote in a fundraising note. "And then there are things that are a BFD, like delivering health insurance to 32 million Americans."

V.P. Joe makes me smile for so many reasons. This was like icing on the Biden cake.

Here's where you go to buy a big f***ing shirt:

The RNC hearts Blackwater

By GottaLaff

Ben Smith reveals that the RNC has Xe hots for Blackwater. They're about to cohabitate at a fundraiser:

Spokesmen for the Republican National Committee and for Xe Services, the embattled military contractor formerly known as Blackwater, denied to me last month that the party had any plans to host a donor retreat at Xe's U.S. Training Center in North Carolina.

Today, however, spokesmen for both said the event -- which appeared in a calendar in the leaked RNC fundraising presentation -- is on.

Here is a snippet of Ben's original post:

The Republican National Committee is planning to raise $60,000 at a fundraiser next month at the North Carolina compound owned by the company formerly known as Blackwater.

The event is going to be held by the under-40somethings called the "Young Eagles".

If you still aren't familiar with who and what Blackwater really is, please take a look at the primer I compiled called "Blackwater for Dummeez".

Here are a few screen grabs of the leaked presentation. And remember, they put the FUN back in FUNdraising!

(click on image to enlarge)

Nothing more reassuring than teaming up with a bunch of thugs. That should lend as much credibility to the party as their RNC chair spending nearly two grand at a kinky bondage-themed club.

H/t: Gr8RDH

DNC: We’ve Pulled In $1 Million Since Health Care Bill Passed — Without Asking

Everyone loves a winner! Via Greg-

DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan emails:

We haven’t specifically asked for any money online since the bill passed — but because of the excitement and energy this has generated it has poured in anyway.

Without even asking, we’ve raised more than a million dollars — a lot more.

The DNC is presumably leaking the figure in order to counter the news that the RNC has raised more than $1 million off its “Fire Nancy Pelosi” campaign, which depicts the Speaker, suggestively, against a backdrop of flames.

The Loon Rangers ride again- Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann Photo Op: $10,000

By GottaLaff

The Loon Rangers ride again:



photoop -

Put your eyes back into your head, the price includes dinner. See? Worth every very red cent:

According to the invitation, attendees at the April 7 event in Minneapolis are asked to spend $500 per person for attendance at the General Reception and Dinner; $5,000 for a table of ten; and $10,000 per couple for a "Private Reception with Photo Opportunity. (Included in the latter is a table for ten as well).

A bargain at twice the price! After all, who wouldn't want to lose their appetite at a very special fancy schmancy Minnesota-Bachmann Victory Committee gala while feasting their eyes on Batty McCrazyEyes and Corrupta McWTF? Bonus photo included!

All for a measly ten grand!

Hey Tea Tantrumers and Palin/Bachmann fans, imagine all the people without health insurance dying... dying because they can't afford to buy their way to a higher life expectancy, wishing they too had scads of spare cash to blow on pricey photo ops.

Those would be the very same people who the Loon Rangers care nothing about, which Batty proved today at the "Code Red Kill the Bill Rally".



Kill. Nice choice of words.

That's right, attendees, as you pose with Batty and Corrupta, think of this person:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Enjoy your private reception! Eat up! Smile for the camera!

Video- President Obama at McCaskill fundraiser

The Loon Rangers: Palin and Pawlenty to help Bachmann raise cash

By GottaLaff

The three of them together? That's a combustible combo; they better provide fire extinguishers to the attendees to treat all the exploding heads.

Check your watches, it's Crazy O'Clock:

Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty [...] will meet in Minneapolis next month to help raise money for Rep. Michele Bachmann, an outspoken conservative and popular figure among Tea Party activists. [...]

But Bachmann's campaign also announced that Pawlenty, the Minnesota governor, will be one of several "Honorary Hosts" for the fundraiser - adding an extra layer of 2012 intrigue to the event.

Know who else will be an "honorary host"? Ready? Toker Norm Coleman! Think they'll serve brownies? Maybe he can share his stash with MaryJane McDoobie?

Bachmann's campaign said a rally with Palin is still being planned.

The Loon Rangers ride again.

WE DID IT! Thank you!

Glitter Graphics

We made it! The fundraiser is over and Paddy will have a computer again!

We both want to thank you over and over again for your donations. It was tough this time around, we know that.

What would we do without you? Well, I can tell you what. Not blog.

We will now be able to continue bringing you stories, news, and quirkitude, thanks to your overwhelming generosity!

We love you all.

And BasADD gets the last Going Rouge Activity Book for pushing us over the goal!

Final Push

And now for the Homestretch update:

We're 1%, one measly %, away from meeting our goal. Thank you to every single generous one of you who has donated! Especially during tough times like these.

Paddy is only a few dollars away from being able to buy a new computer (her old one got eaten by viruses), so the fundraiser is nearly over.

Push us over, donate that last 1%, and.... well:

Micheal Stinson, who co-wrote Going Rouge: The Sarah Palin Rogue Coloring and Activity Book with his amazing wife Julie Sigwart, has generously donated autographed copies to our donors!

So if you want one, be the person who gets us past 100%! Think of all the fun you'll have:

We set up a monthly subscription button for PayPal for those who would be willing to pay $5 a month to help support us.

Overnight Astronomy and Fundraising Thread

Mars and a Colorful Lunar Fog Bow
Credit & Copyright: Wally Pacholka (AstroPics.com, TWAN)

Explanation: Even from the top of a volcanic crater, this vista was unusual. For one reason, Mars was dazzlingly bright two weeks ago, when this picture was taken, as it was nearing its brightest time of the entire year. Mars, on the far upper left, is the brightest object in the above picture. The brightness of the red planet peaked last week near when Mars reached opposition, the time when Earth and Mars are closest together in their orbits. Arching across the lower part of the image is a rare lunar fog bow.

We are still running our fundraiser which will enable me to give back this lovely Rent A Center computer on Saturday. We're very close, so if you are able and so inclined, donations can be made at the widget below, the donate button to the side or email us at thepoliticalcarnival at gmail.com for a irl address. We also now have a subscription service set up where you can pledge a small (or large) monthly amount to help us out. An extra added shout out THANK YOU to those who have already donated, we're really tired of doing this but I'm still a wee bit short of enough money to replace my computer. We appreciate the hell out of you. Soon the lovely parting prizes will be given out!!