Doug Ose's Troubles - FEC Complaint Filed by Placer GOP Committee
Posted by: Aaron Park | 04/11/2008 9:49 AM
Apparently Doug Ose's attack ads weren't very well thought out!?
Cross-Posted at the Placer CRA Blog
For Immediate Release - Contact: Tom Hudson, 833-8948
OSE CAMPAIGN ACCUSED OF VIOLATING FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS"
The Placer County Republican Party Files a Formal FEC Complaint against Ose for Failing to Disclose Campaign Contribution
Roseville-- The Placer County Republican Central Committee has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Elections Commission in Washington D.C. alleging that Doug Ose's Campaign for Congress distributed a direct mail piece that violated federal elections laws.
Ose is running against State Senator Tom McClintock in the Republican Primary for the 4th Congressional District to replace Rep. John Doolittle.
"Placer County Republicans request an immediate investigation," said Tom Hudson, Chairman of the Placer County Republican Party. "We believe that the Ose Campaign engaged in unfair campaign practices and violated federal election laws."
According to the complaint, the Ose Campaign for Congress recently sent voters a direct mail piece that shows an illustration of opponent Tom McClintock that is both silly and demeaning. The problem for Ose is the so-called 'creative material' is identical to the graphic artwork used against McClintock by then-opponent Dean Andal in the 2002 Republican Primary campaign for State Controller. McNally-Temple & Associates is the consultant for both Doug Ose and Dean Andal, currently a GOP candidate for Congress in the 11th Congressional District. Andal was not named in the complaint filed by Placer County Republicans.
"The law is quite clear about proper reporting of contributions to political campaigns," said Chairman Hudson. "Ose is a liberal millionaire who can afford to pay for his own campaign material. Instead, Ose and his consultants recycled artwork from another candidate. The question is, who paid for this work and why wasn't it reported properly?"
"This item had value to Andal in 2002 and has obvious value to Ose in 2008," said Hudson. "That makes this an in-kind contribution that must be reported by Ose."
There are many questions that need review by the FEC. Did Ose's campaign and consultants get permission from the original owner of the material, Dean Andal, to use the recycled artwork from the 2002 race for State Controller? In other words, did Andal approve this attack piece on McClintock? Did Ose and his consultants properly disclose the in-kind contribution from the original owner of the artwork? Was "state money" used illegally to fund a federal election campaign?
"Placer County Republicans believe that once Ose failed to report the contributions properly, Ose violated federal campaign laws. We request an immediate investigation by the Federal Elections Commission," Hudson said.
Absentee voters will begin casting ballots for the June 3rd California Primary in less than 30 days. "Time is of the essence," he concluded.
If that artwork is valued at more than $1,000, and MTA does not do anything that cheaply, then you also have a problem of exceeding the limit that a state committee can contribute to a federal campaign.
That might be why it was not reported!
John
Was this action approved by the Central Committee? If so, is this kind of action really a strategy to build our party in Placer County?
Or, it could be that MTA retained ownership of the material.
Guys, seriously, I appreciate the the Placer County GOP endorsed McClintock, but on the off chance that Ose wins the primary, is this really a constructive use of party resources? Wouldn't it be better for the Party to talk positively about Tom and the party thinks he is a better choice?
The candidates are going to say negative things about each other. That is par for the course. And I am not opposed to the Central Committee making pre-primary endorsements. But I do think the party, even when they endorse, should stay positive.
Let me in fact be more clear. I happened to be talking to Dean Andal about this the other day, and he told me that the artwork is owned by MTA and licensed to Andal and now, presumably, to Ose, built into the cost of the mail piece.
This complaint is going nowhere. Tom Hudson, please, I urge you to withdraw this complaint and spend your time as party chair talking positively about the party-endorsed candidate.
Jeff,
I think that you just confirmed what I suspected: This artwork was paid for with funds from a state campaign and if that cost exceeded $1,000 it CANNOT be used in a federal campaign.
Thanks for the clarification from first hand sources.
John
Good grief. I'm getting embarrassed to be a McClintock supporter. This is almost as stupid as Mike Schoreder's lawsuit against Debbie Cook (Dem opponent to Rohrabacher) over her using Mayor as ballot her ballot designation.
John: What part of LICENSING do you not understand. I expect better of you. If MTA owns the artwork, they can sell it to whomever they want, however they want, whenever they want. Maybe some liberal McClintock hater (Jeff Flint?) will want to buy a print.
Jeff - I'm 1/2 joking about the liberal McClintock hating because I understand where you are coming from. It's sad that I have to comment anonymously in fear of being labeled the same even though I would probably end up voting for McClintock (if I lived in the district).
Stoos - Please note the insider activity that ensued long before this complaint was filed.
Apparently, Andal was sweating this one out somewhat.
As it is - Stoos Wrote (note to Ose camp, NON-Anonymously and unpaid)
"I think that you just confirmed what I suspected: This artwork was paid for with funds from a state campaign and if that cost exceeded $1,000 it CANNOT be used in a federal campaign."
"Thanks for the clarification from first hand sources."
Like Ose's pro-UN stance, pushing Gay Marriage and giving our tax dollars to illegal aliens... there seems to be no effective response.
Hi Aaron,
I was just wondering if you read Art's question to you about answering the questions about the residency issue? Just wondering if you were going to do that. I mean, I know you're busy and all fighting off all these legions of paid, anonymous Ose staffers that you imagine live all around you, but if you could answer that question that would be great.
Thanks Aaron.