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Who is Christine Odonnell?
A watchdog group has filed official federal complaints against Tea Party candidate Christine O'Donnell, upset winner of Tuesday's GOP Senate primary in Delaware, and has labeled her a "criminal" for allegedly using campaign contributions for rent and other personal expenses.
"Christine O'Donnell is clearly a criminal, and like any crook she should be prosecuted," said Melanie Sloan, CREW Executive Director. In complaints filed with the Federal Election Commission and the US Attorney's Office in Delaware, CREW alleges that O'Donnell used $20,000 in campaign funds to pay for living expenses in 2009 and 2010. "By misusing campaign funds," said Sloan in a statement, "Ms. O'Donnell committed the crime of conversion; by lying about her expenditures on forms she filed with the FEC, she committed false statements; and by failing to include the campaign funds she misappropriated as income, she committed tax evasion.
Related
Witch Says O'Donnell Is 'Misinformed' About WitchesO'Donnell Raises Nearly $1MMore from Brian Ross and the Investigative Team"Ms. O'Donnell has spent years embezzling money from her campaign to cover her personal expenses. Republicans and Democrats don't agree on much these days, but both sides should agree on one point: thieves belong in jail not the United States Senate."
The CREW complaint is based, in part, on the affidavit of former campaign aide David Keegan, who said that in 2009 O'Donnell was out of money and paid her landlord two months rent from campaign funds. O'Donnell called the expenditures "expense reimbursements" on FEC forms.
According to Keegan, O'Donnell used campaign cash for meals and gas, and even a bowling outing.
"If you need money to pay the rent and eat, you get a job; you don't start a Senate campaign so unsuspecting donors can support you," said Sloan.
O'Donnell ran for senate in 2006 and 2008 as well. Just before voters went to the polls last Tuesday, Delaware residents received a recorded message from O'Donnell's 2008 campaign manager, Kristin Murray, paid for by the state's Republican Party, alleging that O'Donnell "was living on campaign donations -- using them for rent and personal expenses, while leaving her workers unpaid and piling up thousands in debt. She wasn't concerned about conservative causes. O'Donnell just wanted to make a buck."
"Christine O'Donnell is clearly a criminal, and like any crook she should be prosecuted," said Melanie Sloan, CREW Executive Director. In complaints filed with the Federal Election Commission and the US Attorney's Office in Delaware, CREW alleges that O'Donnell used $20,000 in campaign funds to pay for living expenses in 2009 and 2010. "By misusing campaign funds," said Sloan in a statement, "Ms. O'Donnell committed the crime of conversion; by lying about her expenditures on forms she filed with the FEC, she committed false statements; and by failing to include the campaign funds she misappropriated as income, she committed tax evasion.
Related
Witch Says O'Donnell Is 'Misinformed' About WitchesO'Donnell Raises Nearly $1MMore from Brian Ross and the Investigative Team"Ms. O'Donnell has spent years embezzling money from her campaign to cover her personal expenses. Republicans and Democrats don't agree on much these days, but both sides should agree on one point: thieves belong in jail not the United States Senate."
The CREW complaint is based, in part, on the affidavit of former campaign aide David Keegan, who said that in 2009 O'Donnell was out of money and paid her landlord two months rent from campaign funds. O'Donnell called the expenditures "expense reimbursements" on FEC forms.
According to Keegan, O'Donnell used campaign cash for meals and gas, and even a bowling outing.
"If you need money to pay the rent and eat, you get a job; you don't start a Senate campaign so unsuspecting donors can support you," said Sloan.
O'Donnell ran for senate in 2006 and 2008 as well. Just before voters went to the polls last Tuesday, Delaware residents received a recorded message from O'Donnell's 2008 campaign manager, Kristin Murray, paid for by the state's Republican Party, alleging that O'Donnell "was living on campaign donations -- using them for rent and personal expenses, while leaving her workers unpaid and piling up thousands in debt. She wasn't concerned about conservative causes. O'Donnell just wanted to make a buck."
Kind of interesting, the situation with Coons. The Republicans are claiming he is a self proclaimed Marxist. In truth, he wrote an article for his school paper entitled something to the effect of The Making of a Bearded Marxist. It was intended as a joke (according to him) as he comes from a very conservative family. He had also just returned at the time from Africa where he witnessed extreme poverty, and was questioning some of the US ideals. Anyway, he say's he is not nor has he ever been a Marxist. What I find most interesting is this happened in college. O'Donnells foray into witchcraft was in high school. Not a whole lot of difference. O'Donnell supporters are saying that what she did in high school shouldn't be held against her (I happen to agree with that), yet are using this Coons is a Marxist (which was written in college) against him. I find this very hypocritical...can't have it both ways. Young people do do and say dumb things...but what's good for one should be good for the other.
If it were me voting, I would have a much tougher time with the misuse of campaign funds, which took place as an adult (if of course the allegations are true).
If it were me voting, I would have a much tougher time with the misuse of campaign funds, which took place as an adult (if of course the allegations are true).
Well, I dont live in Deleware, but I would def go with coons.
Coons is in his second term heading Delaware's largest county. He entered politics in 2000, winning the race for County Council president. In 2004, he won a three-way primary en route to becoming county executive. A native of Hockessin, Coons graduated from Amherst (Mass.) College and Yale Law School and was later in-house counsel at W.L. Gore & Associates.
A political commentator for Fox News who also works as a marketing consultant, O'Donnell first made a splash on the Delaware political scene in 2006. After losing the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, she collected more than 11,000 votes in a statewide write-in campaign during the general election. That election was won by Democrat Tom Carper with more than 170,000 votes. She lost again to Biden in 2008.
Coons said the county cut its budget and enacted pay cuts. Without a tax increase, he would have been forced to lay off police and close parks and libraries.
O'Donnell has said Coon's record on taxes is evidence that he would raise taxes if voters send him to Washington.
"I have never raised your taxes and would never vote for a tax increase," O'Donnell said.
She reaffirmed her position as supporting the repeal of the health care reform package approved by Congress last year, drawing boos from the crowd when she repeated an oft-used slogan in her primary campaign that "Uncle Sam" should not come between patients and doctors.
Coons said the health care reform should not be repealed but implemented responsibly. He said the bill gained support from health care professionals but needs to ensure that it doesn't compromise the America's competitive position in research and development.
A political commentator for Fox News who also works as a marketing consultant, O'Donnell first made a splash on the Delaware political scene in 2006. After losing the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, she collected more than 11,000 votes in a statewide write-in campaign during the general election. That election was won by Democrat Tom Carper with more than 170,000 votes. She lost again to Biden in 2008.
Coons said the county cut its budget and enacted pay cuts. Without a tax increase, he would have been forced to lay off police and close parks and libraries.
O'Donnell has said Coon's record on taxes is evidence that he would raise taxes if voters send him to Washington.
"I have never raised your taxes and would never vote for a tax increase," O'Donnell said.
She reaffirmed her position as supporting the repeal of the health care reform package approved by Congress last year, drawing boos from the crowd when she repeated an oft-used slogan in her primary campaign that "Uncle Sam" should not come between patients and doctors.
Coons said the health care reform should not be repealed but implemented responsibly. He said the bill gained support from health care professionals but needs to ensure that it doesn't compromise the America's competitive position in research and development.
I have absolutely no knowledge of Delaware politics. I just simply believe that this election comes down to economics. Vast majority of Americans do not like what Congress is doing. I think they'll vote for anyone who won't cost them more money or increase government spending. And he ain't that guy!
So I am curious about something. Since he is so bad, they chose her to run against him why? Because she is so good?
She is a lunatic.
She's just a bona fide lunatic who hasn't raised taxes.
And that's more than enough for some people.
She's just a bona fide lunatic who hasn't raised taxes.
And that's more than enough for some people.
No, she hasnt raised em, from what I hear she hasnt paid em either. I will research this guy as well, but I am still finding out what is going on with some of the ones that just won. I am not impressed. More like bewildered.
Again, I think the voters will vote economics. Will she win? No Idea. But this is her opponent's job performance:
Chris Coons’ tax hiking history
Posted on September 17, 2010 by D.J. McGuire
Amidst all of the whirlwind surrounding Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O’Donnell, far too little attention has been paid to Chris Coons. Byron York helps fix that problem in his Examiner column:
Coons, 47, is the top executive of New Castle County, home to a majority of Delaware’s population. From a Republican perspective, there’s one really important thing to know about his time in office: In 2004, when Coons first ran for the job, he promised not to raise taxes. Since then he has raised taxes not once, not twice, but three times.
Coons inherited a surplus. Celebrating victory on election night in 2004, he said his “top priority would be to continue balancing the budget without increasing property taxes,” according to an account in the local News Journal. Yet in 2006, he pushed through a 5 percent increase in property taxes. In 2007, he raised property taxes 17.5 percent. In 2009, he raised them another 25 percent.
Note that unlike here in Virginia, the New Castle County exec is elected.
Now, this being local government, one has to be careful about how tax increases are defined; the rate is only half the story (a 25% rate increase on properties that were reassessed 30% downward would, in fact, be a tax reduction). So I took a look at the New Castle County website to get an idea of when they do county-wide reassessments.
This is what I found in re Assessments: “New Castle County property assessments are based upon 1983 property values.”
1983?!?!?!
Truth be told, individual properties get reassessed if there are changes made, and like most northeastern states, Delaware counties are jigsaw puzzles of towns. Still, to have had no reassessment in 27 years?
More to the point, though, this confirms that rate increases are tax increases in New Castle. So, while Coons was County Executive, New Castle County has experienced a 54% overall property tax increase.
Ouch!!
Christine O’Donnell – by contrast, and for all her faults – has not raised taxes on anybody.
http://virginiavirtucon.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/chris-coons-tax-hiking-history/
Chris Coons’ tax hiking history
Posted on September 17, 2010 by D.J. McGuire
Amidst all of the whirlwind surrounding Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O’Donnell, far too little attention has been paid to Chris Coons. Byron York helps fix that problem in his Examiner column:
Coons, 47, is the top executive of New Castle County, home to a majority of Delaware’s population. From a Republican perspective, there’s one really important thing to know about his time in office: In 2004, when Coons first ran for the job, he promised not to raise taxes. Since then he has raised taxes not once, not twice, but three times.
Coons inherited a surplus. Celebrating victory on election night in 2004, he said his “top priority would be to continue balancing the budget without increasing property taxes,” according to an account in the local News Journal. Yet in 2006, he pushed through a 5 percent increase in property taxes. In 2007, he raised property taxes 17.5 percent. In 2009, he raised them another 25 percent.
Note that unlike here in Virginia, the New Castle County exec is elected.
Now, this being local government, one has to be careful about how tax increases are defined; the rate is only half the story (a 25% rate increase on properties that were reassessed 30% downward would, in fact, be a tax reduction). So I took a look at the New Castle County website to get an idea of when they do county-wide reassessments.
This is what I found in re Assessments: “New Castle County property assessments are based upon 1983 property values.”
1983?!?!?!
Truth be told, individual properties get reassessed if there are changes made, and like most northeastern states, Delaware counties are jigsaw puzzles of towns. Still, to have had no reassessment in 27 years?
More to the point, though, this confirms that rate increases are tax increases in New Castle. So, while Coons was County Executive, New Castle County has experienced a 54% overall property tax increase.
Ouch!!
Christine O’Donnell – by contrast, and for all her faults – has not raised taxes on anybody.
http://virginiavirtucon.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/chris-coons-tax-hiking-history/
I would not vote for these three no matter what letter preceded their names. But hey! Thats me...
Or how about Rand Paul? Libertarian extremist. He really hates the government! In the past, he's spoken out against the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also would like to abolish the Department of Education, the Federal Reserve, all taxes, etc. etc
The newly-anointed Republican candidate for U.S. Senate told Rachel Maddow that he supported a business' right to exclude blacks. The government shouldn't be meddling in private business' and forcing them to not be racist.I could go on.
so basically, America would be China. Absolutely no industrial regulation whatsoever. Are they not communist?
The newly-anointed Republican candidate for U.S. Senate told Rachel Maddow that he supported a business' right to exclude blacks. The government shouldn't be meddling in private business' and forcing them to not be racist.I could go on.
so basically, America would be China. Absolutely no industrial regulation whatsoever. Are they not communist?
Another one is Paladino, and just for starters.
Paladino, who espouses family values, has a daughter with a former employee who is not his wife. Although he tells voters he is conservative, he had given money to Al Gore, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Sen. Charles Schumer (D), the paper says. And as a landlord, he made a lot of money renting space to the state in Albany and using state tax incentives for his real estate empire.
And paid 3 mil of his own money to get there. hmmmm But hey, he does not have a D in front of his name either?
Paladino, who espouses family values, has a daughter with a former employee who is not his wife. Although he tells voters he is conservative, he had given money to Al Gore, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Sen. Charles Schumer (D), the paper says. And as a landlord, he made a lot of money renting space to the state in Albany and using state tax incentives for his real estate empire.
And paid 3 mil of his own money to get there. hmmmm But hey, he does not have a D in front of his name either?
yup as long as they dont have a D before their name Gotcha !
Okay, how old was she when she used campaign funds for private use? Or how about just getting the college degree recently due to conflicts in paying? This is a person with sound judgement? Okay! Gotcha! As long as they got an R before their name eh? Maybe I should go run.
Me too a Witch every time,,,, how old was she when she made that remark ?we can all chortle over the colorful background of Leadersand politicians she will have my vote ....
Personally, I don't see social issues as the focal point of this election. To quote Clinton, "It's the economy, stupid."
The role of a US Senator is to vote. Period. What it will come down to for many American voters is which candidate is going to vote for the things I want. The witch or the Marxist? That would depend on their personal political philosophy.
Were I a Delaware voter, I'd vote for the witch.
The role of a US Senator is to vote. Period. What it will come down to for many American voters is which candidate is going to vote for the things I want. The witch or the Marxist? That would depend on their personal political philosophy.
Were I a Delaware voter, I'd vote for the witch.
It would appear tht the only thing you need to qualify to run would be to be anti anything that makes you qualified to run. We are electing some not so savory characters of late.
She appears to be a scammer. Running on spending and deficit seems a joke. The things she has said and stand for are ridiculous. Are we in another culture war? I mean, masturbation is an issue, condoms, homosexuality which she believes can be cured, yet she has a lesbian sister? Hiv is not prevented by using condoms, I have not heard anything substantial come from anyone that was elected other than to cry anti government.My guess is they will rally round her to support their cause. With this one tho, Like I said, pop the popcorn. lol
You cannot go around preaching abstinance, homosexuality is wrong, women do not belong in the military,all on christian principle, and dabble in witchcraft too. All in the same time frame. I wonder what else is going to come out.
She appears to be a scammer. Running on spending and deficit seems a joke. The things she has said and stand for are ridiculous. Are we in another culture war? I mean, masturbation is an issue, condoms, homosexuality which she believes can be cured, yet she has a lesbian sister? Hiv is not prevented by using condoms, I have not heard anything substantial come from anyone that was elected other than to cry anti government.My guess is they will rally round her to support their cause. With this one tho, Like I said, pop the popcorn. lol
You cannot go around preaching abstinance, homosexuality is wrong, women do not belong in the military,all on christian principle, and dabble in witchcraft too. All in the same time frame. I wonder what else is going to come out.
I have been watching the reporting on her with great interest. I think the whole witchcraft thing is nonsensical and should be filed in the same place as "Obama is a Muslim". Who cares, and how is it relevant. She should explain herself though...for example, Wicca, which many refer to as witchcraft is actually a practice of worshipping nature..there is nothing black or ugly about it. But seeings how the Republican Party is so big on the Christianity issue, I can see this being a problem
The financial issues seem to be a serious matter though. It she has in fact been using campaign contributions to support herself, that is fraud and illegal.
The rest of it? I think she is a bit of a wingnut myself...gay's can be "cured" and all that nonsense. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
On a side note, the Republican Gov or Senator or whatever she was that was ousted by the Tea Party in Alaska is now going to run on her own. So two Republican candidates and 1 Democratic? Looks like the Republican Party has it's problems right now....the Tea Party. They seem to be backing some odd choices.
The financial issues seem to be a serious matter though. It she has in fact been using campaign contributions to support herself, that is fraud and illegal.
The rest of it? I think she is a bit of a wingnut myself...gay's can be "cured" and all that nonsense. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
On a side note, the Republican Gov or Senator or whatever she was that was ousted by the Tea Party in Alaska is now going to run on her own. So two Republican candidates and 1 Democratic? Looks like the Republican Party has it's problems right now....the Tea Party. They seem to be backing some odd choices.
I'll have to agree that she is a problematic candidate. She has made some questionable decisions. In particular, her cancellation of interviews just yesterday. She should have gone on the interviews and answered concerning her high school witchcraft and finances. Personally, when choosing for whom to vote, I do not take into account behavior from high school and college. All young people make questionable decisions.
But the alternative for Delaware is a self described Marxist. Not much of a choice.
But the alternative for Delaware is a self described Marxist. Not much of a choice.
O'Donnell Raised Nearly $1 Million Online
O'Donnell raised eyebrows with one of her first acts as a senate candidate this time around, when she officially disclosed her finances. In a Senate financial disclosure report from July, O'Donnell reported just $5,800 in earned income between March 2009 and July 2010. She said she worked for two companies, one a marketing firm and the other a conservative political action committee.
According to Federal Election Commission data, O'Donnell contributed $3,026 of her own money, or more than half her reported "earned income," to her campaign.
In interviews, O'Donnell has said she earned more than that $5,800 but was not required to disclose it.
"The only thing they can use against me is that I'm not a multimillionaire," she told the Weekly Standard before the election.
Related
O'Donnell: Homosexuality an 'Identity Disorder'Checkered Past Dogs Tea Party's O'DonnellWATCH: Christine O'Donnell: 'I Dabbled in Witchcraft'That answer fell short for ethics watchdog Dave Levinthal of the Center for Responsive Politics.
"Every candidate should, at the minimum, follow the law," said Levinthal. "If the public has questions beyond that, questions about a candidate's private interest that could have ties to her public work, it helps that they go beyond the minimum required d by law. She needs to provide additional details."
O'Donnell raised nearly $1 million on-line within days of winning last Tuesday's GOP Senate primary over party favorite Mike Castle. "We're at 99% of our $1,000,000 goal," O'Donnell tweeted Thursday afternoon. "Help push us over the top." The campaign said in an email that it had raised $850,000 by Wednesday.
Before Wednesday, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings, O'Donnell's campaign had just $20,374 in the bank.
A spokeswoman for Christine O'Donnell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Politics/christine-odonnell-criminal-claims-crew/story?id=11684882&page=1
September 20, 2010
O'Donnell raised eyebrows with one of her first acts as a senate candidate this time around, when she officially disclosed her finances. In a Senate financial disclosure report from July, O'Donnell reported just $5,800 in earned income between March 2009 and July 2010. She said she worked for two companies, one a marketing firm and the other a conservative political action committee.
According to Federal Election Commission data, O'Donnell contributed $3,026 of her own money, or more than half her reported "earned income," to her campaign.
In interviews, O'Donnell has said she earned more than that $5,800 but was not required to disclose it.
"The only thing they can use against me is that I'm not a multimillionaire," she told the Weekly Standard before the election.
Related
O'Donnell: Homosexuality an 'Identity Disorder'Checkered Past Dogs Tea Party's O'DonnellWATCH: Christine O'Donnell: 'I Dabbled in Witchcraft'That answer fell short for ethics watchdog Dave Levinthal of the Center for Responsive Politics.
"Every candidate should, at the minimum, follow the law," said Levinthal. "If the public has questions beyond that, questions about a candidate's private interest that could have ties to her public work, it helps that they go beyond the minimum required d by law. She needs to provide additional details."
O'Donnell raised nearly $1 million on-line within days of winning last Tuesday's GOP Senate primary over party favorite Mike Castle. "We're at 99% of our $1,000,000 goal," O'Donnell tweeted Thursday afternoon. "Help push us over the top." The campaign said in an email that it had raised $850,000 by Wednesday.
Before Wednesday, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings, O'Donnell's campaign had just $20,374 in the bank.
A spokeswoman for Christine O'Donnell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Politics/christine-odonnell-criminal-claims-crew/story?id=11684882&page=1
September 20, 2010
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