Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => Politics => Topic started by: Regolith on July 16, 2012, 01:11:49 AM

Title: Is this legal?
Post by: Regolith on July 16, 2012, 01:11:49 AM
Obama apparently has multiple overseas fundraisers scheduled for the next several months:

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/07/busy-month-for-obama-campaign-with-fundraisers-in-switzerland-sweden-paris-and-communist-china/

Quote
It’s going to be a very busy month for the Obama Campaign.

Fundraisers are scheduled in Switzerland:

Sweden:

Paris:

And Communist China:

So, except for the one in Sweden which appears to be for Americans abroad, are any of these fundraisers legal? I thought that it wasn't legal for politicians to raise funds from foreigners. I seem to remember that there was a big dust up in 2008 because Obama's website failed to verify whether or not credit cards used to donate to his campaign were based in the US, as required by election laws. How is this any different?
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: RoadKingLarry on July 16, 2012, 02:50:02 AM
Who's gonna go after him? Holder?

Any criticism will just be labled as racist.
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: Fly320s on July 16, 2012, 07:47:31 AM
Is it legal to hold a fund raiser overseas? Probably.

Is it legal to take donations from non-US citizens? No.

So, obviously, all of Obama's donors will be US citizens. Very convenient.
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: Perd Hapley on July 16, 2012, 10:46:58 AM
Obama apparently has multiple overseas fundraisers scheduled for the next several months:

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/07/busy-month-for-obama-campaign-with-fundraisers-in-switzerland-sweden-paris-and-communist-china/

So, except for the one in Sweden which appears to be for Americans abroad, are any of these fundraisers legal? I thought that it wasn't legal for politicians to raise funds from foreigners. I seem to remember that there was a big dust up in 2008 because Obama's website failed to verify whether or not credit cards used to donate to his campaign were based in the US, as required by election laws. How is this any different?

If you go to one of the sources he links, it indicates that the China gig is for American donors. Of course, Fly320s is probably right.

Besides, how many of those expat's, especially in China, are overseeing outsourced jobs?  :laugh:
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: Scout26 on July 16, 2012, 12:36:34 PM
He's simply using Americans (George Clooney held a fundraiser for Obama in France or Switzerland recently, IIRC).  The claim is that all the money came from American ex-pats.  However, it appears that he's using Americans to launder the money, so that it given to the campaign from "American" sources. 

One more reason not to vote for him.  If the French like him, then vote for the other guy.
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: MechAg94 on July 16, 2012, 12:57:13 PM
Is it legal for foreigners to give indirectly to Obama through his PACs? 
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: brimic on July 16, 2012, 01:00:09 PM
Quote
Is it legal for foreigners to give indirectly to Obama through his PACs? 

You'd need to ask Algore that question.
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: Scout26 on July 16, 2012, 07:40:55 PM
From the FEC FAQ webpage (http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_general.shtml#Can_nonUS_citizens_contribute):

Quote
Can non-US citizens contribute?

Foreign nationals are prohibited from making any contributions or expenditures in connection with any election in the U.S. Please note, however, that "green card" holders (i.e., individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.) are not considered foreign nationals and, as a result, may contribute. For additional information, consult our "Foreign Nationals" brochure.

So the answer is "No" if they raise money from non-citizens.   
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: lupinus on July 16, 2012, 07:47:03 PM
Course, this is all assuming they give a rats ass
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: Tallpine on July 16, 2012, 07:59:18 PM
So the answer is "No" if they raise money from non-citizens.   

Only if the Republicans do it.

The Exalted One is exempt from all legal/ethical/moral constraints.

:(
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: Perd Hapley on July 16, 2012, 11:05:01 PM
From the FEC FAQ webpage (http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_general.shtml#Can_nonUS_citizens_contribute):

Quote
Can non-US citizens contribute?

Foreign nationals are prohibited from making any contributions or expenditures in connection with any election in the U.S. Please note, however, that "green card" holders (i.e., individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.) are not considered foreign nationals and, as a result, may contribute. For additional information, consult our "Foreign Nationals" brochure.


Uh, if they weren't foreign nationals, they wouldn't need green cards.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: Jamie B on July 16, 2012, 11:45:49 PM
Maybe Romney can get some of his off shore bankers to contribute to his campaign!  =D
Title: Re: Is this legal?
Post by: makattak on July 17, 2012, 10:48:44 AM



Uh, if they weren't foreign nationals, they wouldn't need green cards.  :facepalm:

Green card holders are classified as "US Residents", I believe, even though they are not US Citizens.