Posted on 10/17/2014 5:32:13 AM PDT by Din Maker
Senate Democrats are pleading with donors to give to Rep. Bruce Braley’s campaign as they struggle to pull off a victory in Iowa and save their endangered majority. But there’s one key player holding onto his campaign cash: Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin.
Despite direct appeals from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other top Democrats, Harkin has refused to transfer money from his $2.4 million campaign account to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The retiring Iowa senator has informed party leaders that he plans to use the campaign funds for a charitable contribution to an entity that bears his name: The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement at Drake University in Des Moines.
The issue has been the subject of multiple tense meetings. Reid first made a plea for money during a face-to-face meeting with Harkin in April, and again at another session in late summer when he was joined by Harkin and DSCC Chairman Michael Bennet of Colorado. Harkin said no both times.
Reid and other Democratic leaders, meanwhile, are under enormous pressure to win in Iowa; a loss would significantly diminish their chances of holding the Senate. State Sen. Joni Ernst leads Braley in recent polls, and Democrats say they need to keep pace financially with Republicans in the final weeks of the campaign. The DSCC has already spent $6.6 million in the race, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. “It is ridiculous that Bruce Braley is getting outspent by Republicans when Tom Harkin is sitting on over $2 million in his campaign account,” said one senior Democratic aide. Harkin’s refusal to give is all the more exasperating, the aide said, because Braley “has seen Tom as a mentor.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
You know that this is scorching Harry Reid’s drawers. And, what Bruce Braley is saying about Harkin, behind closed doors, would probably not be suitable for the local news broadcast during the dinner hour.
Rush made a good point the other day .... WHY is obola raising money and for who ?
LOL! Pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?
Them Commies sure like to fight over loot.
At the start of the year, the race was pretty much ruled an easy hold for the Dems, until Braley stepped on his crank multiple times. Harkin had already planned to give the $$ to the Harkin center at Drake..nothing wrong with that..it’s actually a good decision..I expect they’ve already made plans fro how to use the funds..as far as staff, programs, etc.......and now, at the last minute, he’s being asked to yank the funds..so why should he? He’s done a lot to help Braley..
After all, now that she finally "likes" her country and has a bit of self-esteem after "years of oppression" in elite schools.....the Obama criminal vote fraud machine can't let her royal ambitions be tarnished...even if reading a campaign poster is beyond her meager intellect.
Says she's "getting old" and that "I've been traveling too much".
Mr. niteowl77.
A Harkin aid said that they went on line and donated all $ 2.4 million to
http://bruce.bailey.moochelle.bitch.grubber.com
Tommy belongs to that generation of pols who can keep their accumulated campaign contributions when they leave office, so it’s no surprise he won’t give Braley a dime. His campaign war chest ($2.4 million) and a federal pension will tide Harkin over until he goes to work on K Street.
While Mr. Harkin can’t transfer the money into his personal bank account, he can access the money indirectly, and it’s perfectly legal. All he has to do is create a charity or non-profit and appoint himself as CEO; salaries and administrative overhead will eat up most of the money, and there will be only nominal donations to worthy causes. And no one will bat an eye.
One of the most blatant examples of this practice involves Mikey Weinstein, the attorney (and Air Force Academy grad) who has been battling the military for years over the “undue” influence of Christians in the ranks. Military Times discovered that 47% of the money raised by Weinstein’s group goes right back to him, in the form of salary and other compensation.
Harkin won’t be quite as egregious in his operation, but rest assured, most of the money that Bruce Braley wants will find its way back to the retiring senator.
LOL..... Your Post #11: Good one!
Being the liberal he is, I would suspect Harkin is unworried about a Republican Senate gain in IA.
I would suspect Harkin is unworried about a Republican Senate gain in IA.
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I’m thinking he doesn’t give a crap if Braley wins or loses. He’s put his time in; to hell with politics. Time for him to enjoy life. I’m just glad the liberal, old fart is gone come Jan. 2015.
Do it for Bailey! Do it for Baily! Do it for Bailey!
You can bet that the Harkin Institute will pay for the private jet that will take Harkin to his beach home in the Bahamas whenever he decides that he needs to give a policty speech at the Hope Town boat dock and fish market. Vernon will be there with one of his key lime pies and the entire population of Elbow Quay will turn out (or at least three or four of them - the others are busy.)
Come on Tom, you’ve voted to take from us to give to others who don’t work. It is the same with your buddy, Braley. It’s ok for me but not for thee, huh?
Same old Democrats.
That is the key point of this story. Harkin wants to donate money to charity.
The democrats want to steal the money from the charity, to try to keep power.
See 17.
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