PAC is spending $1 million in NC's Democratic Senate primary. Does it have GOP ties?

[brooklynite]

Source: Charlotte Observer

A new super PAC is spending $1.6 million on TV ads on behalf of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Erica Smith, who lags far behind her main competitor in fundraising.

And based on the group’s media buyer, treasurer and other factors, it appears tied to Republicans.

The Faith and Power PAC is spending in TV markets across North Carolina, according to Advertising Analytics, a media tracking firm.

The buy is significant in a primary that so far has only seen TV spending for Smith’s rival, Cal Cunningham. They’re among five Democrats who face off March 3. Incumbent Thom Tillis is expected to win the Republican primary.



Read more: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article240001683.html

[SWBTATTReg]

1. I wouldn't be surprised. They are probably trying to bring the weakest candidate to the forefront,

so they'll win, etc. They are also probably the group(s) that interfered with Iowa polling and / or tabulation of results, by calling in, fraudulently and numerous times, to an accidently released phone number (and interfering w/ an election).

The whole mess in Iowa seems staged and set up on by nefarious elements (probably republicans)...I just can't believe that such a major mess wasn't anticipated ... I'm sure parts of it was, but the whole mess? I think some nefarious actors got involved and attempted to make it worse. Perhaps in NC, the powers that be can take some preventative measures (and elsewhere too of course) to prevent such interference.

[ancianita]

4. There's no FEC to investigate or stop any of it.

[SWBTATTReg]

6. There still is a FEC...I just looked into it (the website which I pasted below)...

FEC remains open for business, despite lack of quorum

September 11, 2019

WASHINGTON–On September 1, 2019, the Federal Election Commission began working without a quorum of four Commissioners. While the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), requires an affirmative vote by four Commissioners to make decisions in many areas, including regulations, advisory opinions, audit matters and enforcement, the Commission remains open for business. Staff continues to further the agency’s vital mission of administering the nation’s campaign finance laws.

The requirements of the Act and Commission regulations remain in effect, and political committees and other filers must continue to disclose their campaign finance activity to the Commission on the regular schedule. FEC staff remains ready to help committees and the public understand and comply with the law, process and review committee reports including issuing Requests for Additional Information and provide public access to campaign finance data. While the Commission cannot take action on many legal matters, staff continues to litigate ongoing court cases, process new enforcement complaints and responses, and investigate matters previously authorized by the Commission.

Commission Directive 10, Section L sets forth the rules of procedure to be followed when the Commission has fewer than four sitting members and includes a list of matters on which the Commission may still act. These include notices of filing dates, non-filer notices, debt settlement plans, administrative terminations, and appeals under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. The Commission intends to comply with the statutory requirement set forth at 52 USC §30106(d) that the Commission meet at least once each month.

The complete text of Directive 10 is available on the Commission’s website, which will continue to be updated regularly to fulfill the agency’s disclosure, education and compliance duties.

...

I didn't copy everything here.

[ancianita]

7. Ah. I thought you knew what I meant. Which is that there is no quorum or Chair to

make FEC rulings.

Yes, the FEC lawyers can continue litigations started years ago.

Yes, you can find its structural definition and duties on paper.

But no, there is no operational, functional FEC. Here's a summary of the last seven years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Election_Commission

...the commission has had only three members, and is unable to conduct most of its regulatory and decision-making functions. It has not had six members for multiple years following after Ann Ravel's resignation in March 2017 and Lee Goodman's resignation in February 2018.[5]

Common Cause and Democracy 21, have complained that it is a classic example of regulatory capture where it serves the interests of the ones it was intended to regulate. The FEC's bipartisan structure, which was established by Congress, renders the agency "toothless." Critics also claim that most FEC penalties for violating election law come well after the actual election in which they were committed

https://publicintegrity.org/politics/federal-election-commission-fec-to-effectively-shut-down/

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/26/politics/fec-in-limbo-ahead-of-2020-election/index.html

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/12/another-massive-problem-with-us-democracy-the-fec-is-broken/282404/

I stand by my post.

[SWBTATTReg]

11. Oh, I am glad you made this point, it's a very good one, and one that you know, Congress or...

whomever the responsible entity is, should be concerned with, that it should be operating, with the full force of the law. rump is not going to do anything, he's worthless and he wants the cheating, if anything, to win again.

A pathetic state of affairs, isn't it? These guys/gals, republicans are stopping at nothing to go around the laws, ignore the emolument laws, ignore conflicts of interest, ignore everything. This is truly something that needs to be hammered again and again against the republicans, who have shown all that they are willing to ignore the law, be above the law, do everything but the law, to be in power.

Thanks so much for reminding me that the FEC is toothless. Take care!

[ancianita]

13. Congress IS concerned, but can do nothing. The FEC is part of the executive branch, and the DOJ.

One more reason to get out the vote.

All voting Americans should photograph their vote in their voting booth for future reference.

[SWBTATTReg]

14. Ah...figures. With Barr and rump. Great. Thanks for the heads up.

[DENVERPOPS]

5. For the longest time

I have thought that Republicans register as Democrats so they can vote for the weakest democrat candidate in the Primaries.

Our election system needs a complete overhaul.............

[mitch96]

2. Russians in Democrats clothing?

They would love to bust up the race.. All they would have to do is ask Moscow Mitch how to do it.. He owe's them big time for that bright shiny new aluminum processing plant in Kentucky.
Built by Putin's buddy Russian oligarch Derapaska... Kompromat any one??
m

[ancianita]

8. Not even that. Russians in Russian clothing. Who's gonna stop them -- not the FBI, or

16 Intel agencies who have no standing in courts, nor a broken FEC.

Campaign finance is now what dark money wants it to be -- from any damn where on the globe.

Let's see. Who benefits from the breaking of democratic elections -- not just Trump.

[mitch96]

12. "Who benefits from the breaking of democratic elections "

PUTIN!!!!!!!!!
m

[empedocles]

3. 'The Spector' of Citizens 'con artist led by A. Kennedy [be nice if they get him eventually]

[wishstar]

9. Tillis could lose to Cal Cunningham, Army Major war vet, lawyer and Duke and UNC graduate

so Repubs will try anything to defeat Cal in primary