Cain Campaign Claims Record Campaign Contributions During Troubled Times
Paul Blumenthal of HUFFPOST Politics has again published an article about the growing popularity of Herman Cain. The article is worthy of special attention; it is about campaign donations to the Cain campaign.
As the GOP shifts through its ‘pack’ of potential candidates, Cain remains at the top of the list (with Mitt Romney). Cain’s continued status at the top of the pack is intriguing.
The Cain campaign has released exact figures about the financial contributions during October. An excerpt from the Cain campaign reads as follows:
The Herman Cain Campaign reports receiving over $9 million of financial support from Cain backers since October 1st. Twenty-five percent of these newly received contributions have come in the last ten days. The generosity of Mr. Cain’s followers has more than doubled in the past five weeks, compared to the financial gifts received in the previous two quarters combined. According to the campaign’s third quarter FEC filing, Mr. Cain’s campaign received $4.7 million from May through September 30th. The campaign has received a total of $14.1 million in financial support since the start of the campaign.
An intriguing aspect of the revelation is the contributions over the last ten days of October. While not an exact to the day comparison, I believe that Cain spent the last two weeks of October immersed in allegations of past sexual harassment. Of course, there is no document-able evidence that Cain admitted the sexually oriented infractions and assaults; yet there is at least two settlement agreements.
If there is a connection to the last two weeks of October and Cain’s personal troubles, I cannot help but think of ‘circling the wagons‘ of the Old West.
Let’s take a quick look at the remainder of the HUFFPOST excerpt from Mark Block, Cain’s, Campaign Manager/Chief of Staff.
“Mr. Cain’s vision to renew our country and create new jobs via his bold ’9-9-9 Plan’ is resonating across America,” said Mark Block, Chief of Staff to the Herman Cain presidential campaign. “Mr. Cain’s business experience and executive leadership is needed to put America back on the track to prosperity. Voters want to be part of the Cain Train so they are donating their time, talent and treasure to make sure Mr. Cain is our next president.”
Politics is, “what it is.” Often “what it is” is posturing, positioning, and influencing.
Mark Block releases campaign contribution figures of $ 9 million during the last two weeks of October. He also alleges that 25 % of the $9 million was during the last two weeks of October. He writes that FEC filings totaling ” …….$14.1 million in financial support since the start of the campaign.”
During the most shaky part of Cain’s campaign run, contributions are flowing at higher rate than previous levels.
I, for one, must question the veracity of the press release. I question its accuracy if I wipe from my mind the prospect that ‘uber’ rich conservatives are not funneling contributions to Cain.
Let’s assume that the FEC filings have been submitted as stated. Is there any review or audits of the filings? How about required audits and verification?
A quick visit to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website did not reveal information relative to verification of all filings. I did locate the following…
The FEC has exclusive jurisdiction over the civil enforcement of the federal campaign finance law. In exercising that authority, the Commission uses a variety of methods to uncover possible election law violations:
- The agency’s monitoring process may detect potential violations through a review of a committee’s reports or through a Commission audit.
- Potential violations may be brought to the Commission’s attention through the complaint process. This process enables anyone to file a sworn complaint alleging violations and explaining the basis for the allegations.
- The referral process enables other government agencies to refer possible violations to the FEC.
- Any person or entity who believes it has committed a violation may bring the matter sua sponte to the Commission’s attention. (sua sponte, actual spelling)
Each of the preceding may lead to an FEC enforcement case or Matter Under Review (MUR). By law, these matters must remain confidential until they are closed. In some cases, respondents may be given the option to participate in the Commission’s Alternative Dispute Resolution program, which seeks to resolve matters more swiftly through negotiation. Violations involving late submission of FEC reports or failure to file reports are subject to administrative fines, based on a schedule of penalties. Links to additional information on the FEC’s enforcement process and to closed enforcement files appear below.
As is the case with many government agency documents, the statements above includes many instances of the word, “may.”
For purpose of ‘trust but verify‘ as quoted by the ”Father of Modern Conservatism,” is it possible to make claims about contribution amounts without required verification audits?
If audit verification of contribution claims is not required, it is possible to use misleading information to deflect setbacks in a campaign. The campaign is suffering from the ugly prospect of a tarnished candidate who has had past issues with sexual harassment. Some networks are reporting that Cain’s ranking may have fallen over 10 points since the allegations came forth. In fact, Gingrich, by some polls, has tied Romney and Cain at the top of the ‘pack’. If that is true it is directly attributable to Cain’s current problems with the harassment allegations. Considering his drop in the rankings, overwhelming media coverage, and data reflecting that many women have pulled back form supporting Cain (at least temporarily), it is very hard to accept record campaign contributions.
It almost reminds of an old urban adage, “faking it to make it”. Is there a better way to convince a wavering public of Cain’s staying power than to advertise record contributions? Yes, advertise!
Mark Block’s remarks in the press release:
“Mr. Cain’s vision to renew our country and create new jobs via his bold ’9-9-9 Plan’ is resonating across America,” said Mark Block, Chief of Staff to the Herman Cain presidential campaign. “Mr. Cain’s business experience and executive leadership is needed to put America back on the track to prosperity. Voters want to be part of the Cain Train so they are donating their time, talent and treasure to make sure Mr. Cain is our next president.”
I would be much more comfortable with the veracity of the release if I could find that all FEC filings are consistently and thoroughly investigated.
The GOP is noted for very creative campaigning.
“Trust but Verify.”
The Pardu's Scroll 