Obomination: Investigating the Campaigner-in-Chief

Obama’s aggressive campaign efforts have led to probing questions by many prominent legal and political figures in Washington.  Is Obama breaking the law to remain in office? 

As previously discussed, Obama for America sent an e-mail on June 27 with a DNC-filmed video of President Obama announcing a raffle contest for donors where the prize would be a dinner with Vice President Biden and himself. It is a crime under federal law to use government property for official business such as campaigning.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz said that “all of what this administration is doing is above board” according to unnamed “experts and lawyers.”  If Eric Schultz had asked people outside the White House Counsel’s office, he probably would have gotten a different opinion.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.-49) has focused efforts on investigating Obama’s campaigning efforts.  He thinks the video “may be illegal if it was filmed inside the White House.”  Issa sent a letter on July 11 to White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, requesting information about this video, as well as information about a March 7 meeting with donors in the White House and use of the White House chef for political purposes.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus has called for a Department of Justice investigation of Obama.  Priebus sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder requesting that Obama be held “accountable…for his apparent criminal behavior.” He concluded that “[t]he facts of this case strongly suggest a crime was committed.”

RNLA Meese Award winner Hans von Spakovsky indicated that if it had taken place in the Map Room (and not part of the residence), there is no doubt that the filming was illegal.  “The video is clearly designed to get people to participate in this raffle and the video takes you directly to a web site – directs you to a web site – where there’s an immediate solicitation for funds,” he said.

RNLA President Cleta Mitchell said the video “is a violation” of the law against solicitation by the President on government property.  She added, “it’s a criminal offense.”