FEC complaint filed against Fred

Posted: Monday, August 20, 2007 4:03 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro

Liberal blogger Lane Hudson has filed a complaint against Fred Thompson with the Federal Election Commission, accusing the “testing-the-waters” candidate of violating election law. Hudson is the same activist who posted instant messages between former Rep. Mark Foley and a congressional page.

The AP reports: “The law prohibits anyone who is ‘testing the waters’ from hoarding the money for use during his actual campaign. Potential candidates also cannot refer to themselves as candidates, can't run ads that publicize their intention to campaign or take steps to qualify for the ballot in a primary or caucus state.”

Thompson has 15 days to respond to the complaint.

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Comments

This dude needs to get a job.

IntheMiddle, Texas (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 4:09 PM)

May be that Fred will have to poop or get off the pot. Sooner not later. May be he is just resting on the pot. Pot full of gold?

H O T D A M (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 4:38 PM)

When is there going to be lawsuit against the Dems for getting all this free air time for these phony debates they have been having?

Bonnie S., Lakeland FL (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 4:48 PM)

That Lane dude is a whiner.

...USA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 4:50 PM)

He knows how to break election laws, sounds like the next Republican nominee for President. I said weeks ago that the reason Fred wasn't announcing was because he was too busy collecting contributions over the $2300 limit he would face as a candidate. Since the FEC is loaded with loyal Bushies he probably isn't sweating it. The FEC has yet to come down seriously on anyone for the violations of the last 2 elections.

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 5:09 PM)

IntheMiddle, Texas: Yeah! Fred should be able to break the law as long as he wants.

Jake, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 5:10 PM)

I thought he had one on some TV show.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 5:13 PM)

I must admit, I find it hilarious how many loopholes there are in anything.
Apparently, Fred Thompson, the not-so-announced tv-star political candidate has a federal complaint against him with the FEC according to MSNBC. I guess because he is breaking

Rinsefirst (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 5:13 PM)

Bonnie, when are people going to care about these Republicans enough to actually hold debates?

Jake, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 5:18 PM)

If they can't find any mud to sling the liberals will ensnare you with loopholes and lawsuits. What a load of garbage.
Fred's going to get going and give Obama the race of his life.
Fred: Go to it.
Lane Hudson: long walk short pier.

RH Oregon (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 5:19 PM)

Jake - when it starts to matter.

Now, back to the question. When are the Democrats going to get sued for all these phony debates which in reality are nothing more then these so called "info-mercials" that are on tv in the middle of the night.

Bonnie S., Lakeland FL (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 5:54 PM)

Bonnie fears debates especially the Youtube debates because politicians have to answer questions. We know Republicans don't like to be questioned, their ears grow when they lie

Greg, Seattle WA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:41 PM)

Liberals are just mean-spirited individuals. Fred Thompson is not even a declared candidate and they are already attacking him. I feel bad for people on the "left".

Jeff, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:41 PM)

Well Bonnie, I guess when participating in the debates is illegal. But then it doesn't sound like legal or illegal matters to you.

Ron Critchfield (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:44 PM)

Bonnie, becuase they are legitimate debates and not "phony." If you think it's a problem then maybe you need to call up the Republican National Committee and tell them that they are squandering their potential airtime by not holding debates. The DNC actually REQUIRED that their candidates take part in the YouTube debate. The Republican candidates had to have theirs cancelled because they couldn't agree on a date and rescheduled it to two months later. You want parity in airtime, tell the candidates to get their butts in gear and hold some debates. Make the RNC require their candidates take part.

If you haven't figured it out, Bonnie, it already matters. The nominees for each party will be decided in February -- six months away. It matters now to know where the candidates stand on issues.

Brian D., Clemson, South Carolina (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:44 PM)

jeff, people on the "right" are evil-spirited individuals. they lie whenever they can to slam someone on the "left." get your facts straight....

Jaime C. baltimore, md (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:45 PM)

and for the record...I'm a registered republican who is fed up with my party but can't conceive of switching parties. Maybe the bipartisan Unity Party will take off

Brian D., Clemson, SC (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:46 PM)

Jeff,

Where is the attack? The dude is just pointing out the Thompson is potentially violating federal election laws. An attack is saying your email is kind of shortsited and stupid...see the difference>

Doug, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:46 PM)

Bonnie I agree with you. The Democratic debates have been nothing more infomercials. The Dems will not be able to stand up to Fred in a real debate. If a femocrat wins the presidency im going to puke! As far as lane goes he's nothing more than toilet film

Joe, California (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:46 PM)

All of you seem like morons. Politics is blood sport. Thompson will probably be the Republican nominee- think Reagan.

The Democrats are wussy-wimps. The Republicans are scum.

Draft Al Gore. He's the only smart, reasonable and appropriate candidate for these terrible times.

Wa, Santa Cruz, CA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:46 PM)

Hey Fred, why not wait until the day before the election to announce, then no one will have time to say anything bad about you! Does anyone know anything about what this guy believes in other than pickup trucks?! Seriously, this guy is a joke.

Mark Morris, Cupertino CA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:46 PM)

Uh, Bonnie, what law is it that you think the Dems are violating? Please cite to the United States Code or the Code of Federal Regulations.

And here is my contribution to Fred Thompson. A free campaign slogan: "Fred Thompson: He plays an intelligent guy on television"

Bearclaw in Portland, OR (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:47 PM)

Boy, what would we do if it were not fot this Lane guy?
What a whack job. Get a life and quit whinning about somthing you have no control over. What a waste of time and money. None of my tax money needs to be wasted on this.

Kevin, Littleton Colorado. (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:48 PM)

Hey Bonnie S. of Lakeland FL

Are you that void of reason? Free air time? What? Isn't a democracy founded on the rights for the citizenry to be informed to the extent possible of the political process? No one is stopping the Republicans from doing the same thing--take a deep breath.

George Bush (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:48 PM)

Jeff, Chicago Illinois:

Liberals are mean spirited? If Fred Thompson broke the law, he broke the law. get it?

george bush (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:49 PM)

Freddie Boy has as much chance of being elected president as George W has of raising his I.Q. into double digits. So far he's alienated gay people, women, and probably his own goldfish. Face it folks, the NEOCON age has come and gone. Get out your wallets (and crying towels) and deal with it. If you don't like it...move!

Dee, Sarasota, Fl (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:50 PM)

Hey, right wingers! It's called following the law. You remember the "law" don't you?

Ray Floyd, Caruthers, CA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:51 PM)

RH Oregon:

The libs learned that nasty tactic from the best there is at such shenanigans: The GOP

Ron Paul, '08

Rick Day (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:52 PM)

We have election laws to protect the people from hucksterism. Is it really so insignificant when an unannounced candidate is called to account for flouting a regulation, so he can garner extra cash? To some this may seem petty. To others, it may seem like whining. But I have to say I'm tired of Republicans discounting their standard bearers' errors, even when they are obvious and abundantly demonstrated. They have done so for seven long years, even after Iraq, Katrina, Foleygate, warrantless spying and wiretapping, Abu Ghraib, secret CIA prisons, K Street manipulations and arm twisting, Harriet Miers, a toothless EPA, anti-science campaigning, a decimation of the government's civil service...and the list goes on. I don't see how Fred or any other Republican cleans that up.

Palgrave, Monroe, LA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:52 PM)

Well, just another day in Republican Land! Fred is an exact replica of the dark force, Dick Cheney (Fred has expressed an interest in starting another war - in Iran this time -- yippee!!!!!). He was unremarkable in the Senate, but he does have a hot, policy setting lobbyist wife -- so he must be the Republican man of choice!

Lynn, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:52 PM)

Fred will make a Great Republican candidate because like all Republicans he has no RESPECT for the law just like his kiss ass buddy Bush

VietnamVet (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:53 PM)

jeff, Fred is the undeclared declared candidate. He wants all the pub without having to face the other guys and the public. Libs aren't mean-spirited. They just want to see Republicans held to the election laws. Mr. Law and Order is just trying to pad his credentials w/o actually doing anything.

mike, pottstown, pa (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:55 PM)

Bonnie - you make no sense. Have you seen the Republican "debates?" What a joke they ALL are. Get a grip -- we've really enjoyed the last 6 1/2 years of the imbecile you liked.

Lynn, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:55 PM)

yeah, all these mean spirited liberals who blow the whistle on law breakers like the ones at Enron, WorldCom etc. If one of the Dems made the news for the same reason, RH Oregon, Jeff, Bonnie, you would all be cheering. partisan politics as usual.

Mark Y; Westlake Village, CA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:55 PM)

Leave Thompson alone! No matter what ever crime "Law 'n Order" Fred may commit, Bush can pardon him.

TB (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:55 PM)

Fred Thompson...another Republican "junkyard dog"..looking to sully democrats with the usual rancor filled rhetoric. Remember folks..the only real opposition to the so called "war"..came from democrats. Only Republicans are arrogant enough to keep supporting a "war" the majority of the american public no longer supports.

Sparky (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:56 PM)

Can we talk about substance and the issue here instead of digressing to talk about the democrats and Lane Hudson. The issue here is whether or not Thompson is circumventing FEC rules by raising funds and using them to further a campaign for the Presidency he has not yet announced. All of the other Republican candidates raising funds are bound by FEC regulation. If Thompson has any integrity he would voluntarily abide by the rules even though he is not a candidate.

GK, Wilmington, DE (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:57 PM)

On a door down the hall from my office:

Under Republicans, man exploits man.
Under Democrats, it's just the opposite.

I think that says it all.

Rick Dunie, Holladay, Utah (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:58 PM)

What a hypocrite! This whack job, Lane Hudson, is asking for money on his blog. He must be running for some office.

paul karty, brighton michigan (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 6:58 PM)

Oh like the degenerate we have in office is any worse. The first time the world viewed Americans with sympathy "oh those poor people they had a President selected for them due to an archaic loop hole in their system" Now they are sure we are fools. "They re-elected an idiot to office who has led them to ruin.
So what if Thompson is hoarding money. Is it any better than the money Bush has let his friends hoard on us on our dime while he has rotted in office conducted his personal war for his personal gains for the last 8 years? He was supposed to represent US. I guess he thought US was short for bUSh. We need not worry about Thompson he will not be selected by the Dems. They will pick that ultra liberal battle axe Hillary and she will gracelessly get broomed in the election by Rudy.

Erik N., Sacramento, CA (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:01 PM)

Hey Bonnie S. of Lakeland FL

In case you didn't notice, the Republicans have been holding debates as well. I'm surpised you haven't seen any footage of them on Fox News. Should we sue them as well? Answer the question please!

Jeff Johnson (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:02 PM)

Thompson is a frigin LUNATIC! The best place for him is in an OLD FOLKS HOME.

RB-Chicago (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:03 PM)

God I am going to love it after the next election when everytime I hear a Republican whine I'll just say "suck it up" "respect the commander in chief" "get over it" "wuss" "love it or leave it" over and over and over without even trying to address their concerns. They will be so stupid they won't even see the irony of the payback.

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:04 PM)

Come on people. Quit the left, right cr@p. And shooting the messenger is equally speciuos. In fact, as a parent and US Navy submariner, who has spent years away from home, I am damn glad Foley was outed! Also, last time I checked Rs and Ds were both havind debates - so shut up about D debates unless you are willing to go after both sides - if you're not willing to, then you are simply a partisan hack and part of the problem. The only question that matters is whether a law was broken.

ET1/SS Dan M. Baltimore, MD (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:04 PM)

Someone up there did not spell winner correctly---it doesn't have a "h"! Oh well, another example of the Republic Culture of Corruption. The laws and rules don't apply to them, they only enforce them against the less well to do!

Allan Fox (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:05 PM)

Typical liberal response. The Liberals are scared of Fred so let’s come up with some way to say he "broke the law". I am sick of the whining libs. How can we let people like this ever get control when we need to step up and be strong? The world is too dangerous to let these liberals take over. By the way libs, if the radical Islamists ever take over, you will be the first to be put down. You think we are conservative; these people make Hitler look like Lenin.

Scott , Wellington, Florida (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:06 PM)

all of you: find something constructive to do with your lives, please.

dan obryne (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:06 PM)

Jeff is blinded by the light from the right. Republicans,Democrats, Liberals et al must
comply with the same law in intent, spirit and
verbiage. If there is compliance with the law
surely a person considering the Presidency would
not mind cooperating with an inquiry.

Arnold Roseman, Boca Raton FL (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:06 PM)

Brian D., don't switch parties, people like you will be needed to rebuild the Republican party and make it respectable again after it implodes. You can vote democratic in the general election without switching parties until reconstruction is completed.

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:07 PM)

A lobbyist illegally hoarding money for unrighteous causes?!?! Say it ain't so!

Chad, Las Cruces, NM (Sent Monday, August 20, 2007 7:09 PM)

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