Rep. Todd Akin's troubles won't seem to go away. The Missouri Democratic Party announced Wednesday it filed two complaints against the Republican candidate for Senate. Both ethics charges claim Akin is receiving campaign funding illegally. Complaints were filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Office of Congressional Ethics. Less than 24 hours later, the Associated Press reports Akin will be given $290,000 from the Senate Conservatives Fund.
What is the basis for the Democrats' complaints?
The first charge claims Akin and the Senate Conservatives Fund coordinated efforts before the super PAC agreed to give the candidate money. Democrats claim the Republican agreed to ban earmarks as a condition for receiving money from a political action committee. This complaint alleges Akin and the super PAC are taking bribes or in-kind contributions.
The second grievance is about taking more donations than what is legally allowed. Democrats claim Akin asked the Senate Conservatives Fund to donate to his campaign in excess of $2,500. Candidates cannot solicit contributions in excess of $2,500. Political action committees and corporations can do that, but not individual candidates.
What evidence do the Democrats have against the conservative candidate?
Missouri Democrats base their charges on statements made by Akin himself. In a press conference Monday, Akin responded to a question about whether or not he has talked to Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. DeMint has long been associated with the Senate Conservatives Fund. The conservative said his definition of an earmark and that of the super PAC were the same. Akin then stated there was "nothing official" about DeMint helping Akin's campaign.
What have Democrats said about the charges?
The Springfield News-Leader reports Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Michael Sanders said, "This has the flavor of bribery. This has the flavor of pay-to-play." Missouri News Horizon quoted Sanders, who claimed Akin's policies are "for sale to the highest bidder " before alleging the candidate will receive $250,000 in exchange for agreeing to ban earmarks.
St. Louis Public Radio states Sanders clarified his comments. "Bribery. It's not a word we throw around lightly," the chairman said.
How did Akin's campaign respond?
The News-Leader article revealed campaign aide Rick Tyler called the charges "baseless" and is a way to "distract Missouri voters." Tyler is former aide to Newt Gingrich, the former presidential candidate who held a fundraiser for Akin in St. Louis on Monday.
What is the likelihood the charges will affect the outcome of the election?
Washington lawyer Jan Baran told the News-Leader the charges have no merit at this point because the super PAC has yet to help Akin financially. At the same time, the Washington Post reports DeMint endorsed Akin on Wednesday, the same day the ethics charges were announced. The endorsement does not condone financial backing at this point.
Has Akin changed his stance on earmarks?
KMBC states Akin has offered more than $150 million in earmarks during his 12-year stint in Congress. Akin told the television station in a July interview that he considers an earmark something that is slipped into bills "in the middle of the night" without the foreknowledge of voters. The GOP candidate also said Congress has a duty to spend money as it sees fit. This apparent flip-flop in policy from supporting earmarks to banning all earmarks is what the Missouri Democratic Party's complain is all about.
William Browning is a research librarian specializing in U.S. politics.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/todd-akin-faces-bribery-complaint-picks-funding-boost-173400825.html
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