General Discussion

lapucelle

(20,931 posts)

109. And if it were a $12,000,000 payment to a secretive LLC inside the Beltway,

Sun Jul 22, 2018, 04:58 PM

Jul 2018

but far from home, a seven figure disbursement to a business entity so opaque that no public profile for the company exists, and if it were discovered that the shadowy LLC has connections with a member of the paying candidate's family...would it be fair to characterize this payment (legal under FEC rules) as "money funneling"?

Can anybody seriously argue the elasticity of an ethical rule contingent on whether the impugned "funneling" is $10 or $10,000,000?

The FEC has spoken on whether these payments are a "reasonable use of campaign funds". The FEC says they are.

What does the Post-Dispatch think of a candidate disbursing campaign funds to herself for personal use during a campaign? They haven't said.

What does the Post-Dispatch have to say about Rep. Clay disbursing campaign funds in payment to his sister's law firm for campaign related services? That it's legal but that it might be time for the FEC to revisit its policy.

What does the local press have to say about the $12,000,000 campaign payment to the mysterious LLC? Simply that they wish that the candidate or his campaign would take their calls and answer a few questions.

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For your consideration. Cori Bush - MO 01 [View all] Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 OP

Is this the Cori Bush who is running the primary against progressive Congressman and.... George II Jul 2018 #1

The Democratic incumbent has a better graphic, lapucelle Jul 2018 #2

Mahalo, lapucelle! Cha Jul 2018 #6

His voting may be outstandiing, but he funnels campaign money to his sister. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #9

How much has Jane Sanders been paid by her husband's campaigns? EffieBlack Jul 2018 #20

That's a great question, and Senator Sanders should answer that question. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #23

Unless it's verifiably "legit" (as you say) and corroborated, this shouldn't be posted here.... George II Jul 2018 #30

It was published in a mainstream, respected news source Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #37

The St. Louis Post Dispatch absolutely did NOT report that Clay was "funneling money to his sister". lapucelle Jul 2018 #64

And every penny that Clay's campaign committee spent has been duly reported to the FEC. George II Jul 2018 #65

Why on earth would anyone frame such a misleading narrative lapucelle Jul 2018 #67

And then say, in effect, "I'm not saying he did anything wrong"! George II Jul 2018 #68

Clay chose to spend campaign funds with his sister's law firm. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #73

And you chose to mischaracterize a legal expenditure as "funneling money to his sister" lapucelle Jul 2018 #74

That IS interesting and unfortunate. RandySF Jul 2018 #51

To be clear - I'm not saying he did anything illegal Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #55

It's shitty RandySF Jul 2018 #57

Then why did you bring it up in the first place? George II Jul 2018 #66

Because it's ethically questionable Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #69

Would you find it "ethically questionable" for a candidate to pay him/herself for anything? George II Jul 2018 #79

I think the practice of campaigns paying family needs more scrutiny Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #81

And oneself? George II Jul 2018 #82

You are obviously going somewhere with this. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #83

Since it's such an issue for you, I checked Cori Bush's FEC filings. Did you know that she paid.... George II Jul 2018 #87

Well, I'd have to know how much we are talking about Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #92

$80 melman Jul 2018 #95

That's less than what most companies allow for daily meal money on trips Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #96

In all my years as a treasurer, other than reimbursements (which are also in that report).... George II Jul 2018 #102

Does the actual amount really matter? George II Jul 2018 #100

Yes it does Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #111

And if it were a $12,000,000 payment to a secretive LLC inside the Beltway, lapucelle Jul 2018 #109

You know what's really interesting, to see how much of a "story" this is, I decided to google... George II Jul 2018 #110

Well it's obviously not Clay - but I think all he's sent to sis' firm all told is half a million Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #112

... lapucelle Jul 2018 #114

This is exactly the kind of nonsense that so damaged lapucelle Jul 2018 #71

She was a paid member of his campaign . xmas74 Jul 2018 #107

Why would anyone use the pejorative "funnel money to his sister" lapucelle Jul 2018 #59

+1 nt brer cat Jul 2018 #61

The voters will decide, won't they. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #70

"The voters will decide" who uses a pejorative to mischaracterize a legal practice? lapucelle Jul 2018 #72

Just because it's legal does not make it ethical or right. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #75

Yes, it is perfectly legal to inaccurately frame facts in a negative way to serve an agenda, lapucelle Jul 2018 #77

I don't think my framing is that different than this Post Dipatch piece Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #86

If he paid for the services out of persona funds, THAT would be illegal! What he did/is doing.... George II Jul 2018 #76

Trying to claim the moral high ground lapucelle Jul 2018 #78

There are other opinions on that topic Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #80

You said that the candidate was "funneling money to his sister". lapucelle Jul 2018 #88

I think channeling and funneling are synonymous Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #90

The ability to make nuanced distinctions between the meaning, register, and tone lapucelle Jul 2018 #93

Again, the voters and readers here can decide for themselves Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #94

I get it. Desperate attempts to justify an inaccurate and misleading allegation lapucelle Jul 2018 #99

So campaign workers shouldn't be paid? xmas74 Jul 2018 #106

Is it your campaign? Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #113

My daughter is on the McCaskill campaign xmas74 Jul 2018 #115

Everything said in this thread aside, kudos to your daughter Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #116

Clay is important too. xmas74 Jul 2018 #117

I can only speak for me Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #118

I'm not going to go looking for them, not worth the trouble, but do you have any idea.... George II Jul 2018 #62

No Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #84

Your own post #80 partially answers my question: George II Jul 2018 #89

We aren't discussing all 82 here Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #91

But you're acting like what Clay is doing, and fully documenting, is out of the ordinary.... George II Jul 2018 #103

Cori Bush is herself black and a progressive. Kaleva Jul 2018 #3

And? George II Jul 2018 #4

If he's so popular, you have nothing to worry about Kaleva Jul 2018 #7

I'm not worried about him winning, I'm worried about some trying to divide Democrats in Missouri.... George II Jul 2018 #11

It's a primary. Democrats run against one another. It's what we do. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #12

I understand that, I'm just not accustomed to politicians traveling 1,000 miles to campaign.... George II Jul 2018 #14

O-C has caught lightning in a bottle. She excites voters. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #18

She's also campaigning AGAINST progressive women EffieBlack Jul 2018 #22

What do you have against these women then? Kaleva Jul 2018 #26

Who said I have anything against these women? EffieBlack Jul 2018 #27

So then, do you support the women I listed? Kaleva Jul 2018 #33

Harumph, a "corporate attorney" who moved to a reservation to advocate for.... George II Jul 2018 #28

This article from Kos kind of sums up my opinion on that race Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #32

Why do they keep trotting out a misleading February poll lapucelle Jul 2018 #60

I really doubt there will be any division in Missouri... Kaleva Jul 2018 #17

So what's the point of running against him in a PRIMARY other than to divide? George II Jul 2018 #24

The bigger question is why be excited about a race where the incumbent is almost sure to win easily Kaleva Jul 2018 #31

You're putting words in my mouth (keyboard) But a Democrat challenging a VERY popular... George II Jul 2018 #36

You are the one making the claim so it's up to you to support it with evidence. Kaleva Jul 2018 #45

I'm not getting that either Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #13

Electing progressive women is great, I'm all for it, but not at the expense... George II Jul 2018 #29

No, I don't necessarily agree Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #47

WHAT? Lacy Clay is only 61 years old, certainly not "old blood"! Doesn't his experience... George II Jul 2018 #49

I don't think it's a good idea Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #52

Yes! Lacy Clay has invaluable experience and is an esteemed member of CBC.. Cha Jul 2018 #54

Is that the same Jason Kander who is endorsing Welder? GaryCnf Jul 2018 #35

I thought this was a discussion about Cori Bush challenging incumbent progressive Democrat Clay? George II Jul 2018 #40

I thought so too, but it seems to be all over the road Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #44

I did some research and TheFarseer Jul 2018 #58

do you have any valid point to make here? nt JCanete Jul 2018 #97

Yes, and have. George II Jul 2018 #101

I must have missed it. nt JCanete Jul 2018 #104

VOTE FOR William Lacy Clay in Missouri District 1! Cha Jul 2018 #5

Good for him. lapucelle Jul 2018 #8

Yes, Good on Lacy Clay! Thank You Cha Jul 2018 #10

This isn't the seat that they're hoping to flip "red", is it? George II Jul 2018 #16

Uh oh, check the twitter feeds in the morning!!! George II Jul 2018 #19

I saw that.. The little mindless attacks will continue.. Cha Jul 2018 #38

People ignore the fact that 70% of the electorate in the 14th District are in QUEENS.... George II Jul 2018 #43

No, thank you. I'm all the way with Lacy Clay. EffieBlack Jul 2018 #15

You do you. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #21

I agree - but not just because they're progressive women EffieBlack Jul 2018 #25

Yeah, he must be for Sharice then.. Cha Jul 2018 #41

This was my reply to Effie Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #48

Yeah? You think so in District 3 Kansas then, no doubt. Cha Jul 2018 #39

For your consideration: MO-1 is a Safe D district... brooklynite Jul 2018 #34

Such as Kara Eastman Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #42

Toss up seat that Clinton only lost by 2.2%, and DCCC "Red to Blue candidate" brooklynite Jul 2018 #46

I'll tell you why I would support this race in a more holistic level Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #50

Eastman was just screwed over. RandySF Jul 2018 #53

Yes. That's a head scratcher. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #56

Thanks for the reminder to donate to Clay n/t kcr Jul 2018 #63

We'll all support whoever wins the primary. Algernon Moncrieff Jul 2018 #85

I do not like rhe logo or campaign colors Gothmog Jul 2018 #98

Cori Bush is a woman oberliner Jul 2018 #108

Nope. xmas74 Jul 2018 #105