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Obama Lawyer Demands Crossroads Reveals Donors

Campaign complains to FEC about Rove-linked group

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 20, 2012 3:07 AM CDT

(Newser) – Crossroads GPS, a "social welfare" organization that has spent millions on ads attacking Democrats, is clearly a political committee and should therefore be required to disclose its donors, charges the Obama campaign. The campaign's chief counsel has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Committee, saying that the group—the sister organization of the American Crossroads group co-founded by Karl Rove—is trying to shield "wealthy individuals and corporations who may be pursuing special interest agendas that are not in the national interest," the Washington Post reports.

"There has never been any doubt about its true purpose: to elect candidates of its choice to the presidency and Congress," the lawyer writes. A spokesman for Crossroads dismissed the complaint as a publicity stunt, saying that the president's campaign doesn't appear to have a problem with similar groups supporting liberal causes. The Obama complaint is unlikely to change anything this election, since the FEC takes an average of 10 months to resolve complaints. Even if it did side with Obama, the decision would end up in the courts, the Wall Street Journal notes.

In this image provided by Crossroads GPS, a video image from a political ad is seen.
In this image provided by Crossroads GPS, a video image from a political ad is seen.   (AP Photo/Crossroads GPS)
President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference of the G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, Tuesday, June 19, 2012.
President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference of the G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, Tuesday, June 19, 2012.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
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Crossroads seems to believe that it can run out the clock and spend massive sums of money in this election without accounting for a trace of its funding. - Robert F. Bauer, the Obama
campaign's chief counsel

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 24 comments
Observer
Jun 20, 2012 2:24 PM CDT
Karl Rove is a disgusting prick. Even GHW Bush fired him for being such a twisted immoral cocksucker. But then his sonny boy W hired Turd Blossom to run his campaigns. Pretty damn bad when your boss calls you Turd Blossom in front of your peers. Rove will be indicted one of these days for his reprehensible behavior. Just like another felon prick Tom DeLay. The Light of the Republican party.
Fondue
Jun 20, 2012 7:59 AM CDT
"...since the FEC takes an average of 10 months to resolve complaints..." and is stacked with expired Republican appointees (three of which refuse to enforce campaign finance laws). And due to congressional Republicans refusing to confirm Obama's appointees.
JackNelsonSteward
Jun 20, 2012 6:28 AM CDT
Follow the law.  Do what the law says. As we have discovered here in Florida, at times publicly and loudly following the law is what best demonstrates its critical faults.
 

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