DNC Made Error on Fundraising Letter
The Democratic National Committee will refund donations collected through an email that then-incoming DNC Chairman Timothy M. Kaine sent on Jan. 16, two days after the start of Virginia's annual legislative session.
DNC officials said they made a mistake by putting a standard "Please Donate" button at the bottom of the email in which Kaine wrote to supporters about the future of the Democratic party.
Under Virginia law, Kaine is prohibited from raising money for himself or state political committees during the 45-day legislative session, which began Jan. 14. That does not necessarily apply to Kaine's email, but DNC officials said they never meant for the email to be a fundraising letter.
The email came to light after Virginia Democrats accused Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, of violating the law by sending out fundraising letters Jan. 9. The letters arrived in some homes last week.
"This is no different than a fundraising email Tim Kaine sent out just a few days prior to session," said Gerry Scimeca, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Virginia. "Claims that Republicans are not following fundraising rules are a lame attempt by the Democrats to cover their own tracks."
By
Anita Kumar
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January 27, 2009; 7:00 AM ET
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Anita Kumar
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Posted by: DouginMountVernon | January 27, 2009 11:26 AM | Report abuse
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I don't think Virginia statutes can even apply to the DNC. So no, VA GOP, it is most definitely NOT the same thing. And no Ms. Kumar, they did not make an error even if they said so themselves. They are simply trying to behave well here. Good for them.
It is good of Kaine to respond in this way anyway, despite the fact that Virginia's fundraising laws can only apply to state committees, not federal ones. Kaine always maintains his ethical ground and I like that about him.