Vernon Jones Gave to the Georgia Republican Party

7:15 p.m. Update: per "Scriptwriter," these checks were for tickets to George W. Bush's inaugural ball. So, what? Is that supposed to make Democrats feel better about Jones? The checks were still to the Georgia GOP. And, apparently, according to this poster, not only did Mr. Jones vote for George W. Bush, twice, he was apparently so thrilled by his election that he went to D.C. to party with Bush when he took office in 2001. I know I feel better now. How about you?

You're not the only one who can search the FEC website, Vernon. This falls under the heading, "be careful what mud you sling." Vernon Jones not only brags about voting for George Bush, twice, according to the FEC, he gave money to the Georgia Republican Party in 2001, twice, and not a little bit, either. See below:


JONES, VERNON
DECATUR, GA 30030
DEKALB COUNTY/CEO

GEORGIA REPUBLICAN PARTY
01/12/2001
1232.00
21990182796
01/12/2001
1232.00
22990400879

Let me point out, that's not a contribution to a particular candidate that Jones had some affection for, or a "wartime president" and was made well before Kerry didn't come to Georgia. So, all of those excuses are simply crap. This is a contribution to the GOP, and everything the GOP stands for, and a vote for Jones is an endorsement of the leadership of Bush, Perdue, and, oh, yes, Saxby. It's time we called Jones what he is: a REPUBLICAN.

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Take it Back

Wealthy special interests think they can decide who our next president will be, but together, we can take our government back. Today, the FEC ruled that the donations made by millions of Americans through ActBlue will not qualify for federal matching funds. Through the online clearing house, ActBlue, everyday Americans, like you and me, contributed nearly 4.5 million dollars to John Edwards-usually $10, $20 or $50 at a time. Now, big government Washington insiders are stepping on grassroots donors by refusing to qualify those contributions for federal match. There is no question that these contributions should be matched, but the FEC has said "no" to millions of Americans. But, you can say "yes."

Together, we can stand up to the special interests that control our government. Together, we can take it cack. Click here to accept the challenge.

There are just 20 days left until the Iowa caucuses, and momentum is shifting to John Edwards. His positive message of change is resonating with people in the critical early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. You can help deliver that positive message by clicking here to accept the challenge. As Joe Trippi said, "let's send a clear message to the FEC we're a new generation of grassroots activists -- and our commitment to the politics of change will not be denied." Click here to accept the challenge.

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Saxby's Tobacco Money

No wonder Saxby voted "no" on SCHIP. He's deep in the pocket of the tobacco industry- perhaps a little too deep-and the FEC has asked for an explanation.

According the an FEC review of Chambliss' own filings, the Georgia Senator appears to have received a total of $9,500 from Swisher PAC, a tobacco product political action committee, including a contribution of $5,000 on September 13, 2007-squarely in the middle of the SCHIP fight. Coincidental, I'm sure. You will recall that the funding mechanism for the SCHIP bill was a tax on tobacco products.

(H.R. 976: Chambliss voted 'no' as the Senate passed the bill on August 2, 2007 and on September 27, 2007, he also voted 'no' twice more on related motions in the run up to the House attempt to override the President's veto. Click here for the full history of the bill.)

Chambliss has until December 17th to respond. His campaign denies receiving excess contributions.

According to Tom Crawford of Capitol Impact's Georgia Report, the excess contribution by Swisher is just one of eighteen contributions flagged by the FEC in Chambliss's 9/30/2007 disclosure report. The Chambliss campaign denies wrong doing, and told the Telegraph:

The Chambliss campaign says that's not the case, that it's a
routine matter of different people with the same names giving donations, and
donations needing to be "reattributed" to the general or primary election.

I'd like to know how may different people are named Swisher PAC, Pork PAC, and Employees of Northrop Grumman PAC. From Crawford, here's a summary of some of alleged excess contributions:

Gingrey for Congress: $4,000
Sen. Orrin Hatch election committee: $4,000
State Sen. Ross Tolleson: $3,000
Northrop Grumman PAC: $9,000
National Pork Producers Council, Pork PAC: $5,500
Swisher PAC (tobacco products company): $9,500
Paul Amos, AFLAC insurance executive: $4,600

You can read the FEC full letter to Sen. Chambliss' treasurer here. (PDF alert: click on the link, and then click "continue" on the page that appears. The seven page letter will load.)

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