Is it legal to campaign from the WH?

[hypocritexposer]

Is it ethical to use taxpayer dollars to campaign from the WH?


President Obama Announces the 2012 Launch of African Americans for Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdjoHA5ocwU&feature=youtu.be

http://www.barackobama.com/african-americans

 

[Steve]

House ethics rules prohibit members of Congress from soliciting campaign donations in House office buildings, including the Capitol Visitor Center, where Pelosi was speaking. A section of the U.S. criminal code also prohibits fund-raising in federal buildings.

there was a kickup years ago when Clinton Gore made calls from the White-House.. but the rule as never enforced by Janet Reno..

In news accounts and editorials, the case came down to this: At worst, the president and vice president had run afoul of an antiquated law enacted over a century ago to stop politicians from shaking down civil servants for contributions.

Attorney General Janet Reno's announcement last week that the fund-raising calls did not violate the law and, thus, did not meet the standard for appointing an independent counsel?

Reno did not cite the law's age as a basis for her decision. That's because she and her staff were undoubtedly aware of the law's legislative history: Congress reviewed and amended that particular provision of the U.S. criminal code – Sec. 607 of Title 18 – less than 20 years ago as part of the last significant revision of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Among those in the House when the legislation passed on a voice vote? Rep. Al Gore, of Tennessee.

seems upholding old laws was unimportant 15 years ago, I doubt Holder would do anything today.. ..

I think it is the Hatch act.. a also think the president/VP are exempt..

The Hatch Act, instituted in 1939, places restrictions on political activity by federal employees and in federal buildings. The act was created to preserve political neutrality among public servants and to eliminate political patronage in federal hiring. It has been updated since 1939 as politics and media have evolved, and remains the main governing force separating the federal government from active campaigns.

 

[Steve]

Is it ethical to use taxpayer dollars to campaign from the WH?


President Obama Announces the 2012 Launch of African Americans for Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdjoHA5ocwU&feature=youtu.be

http://www.barackobama.com/african-americans

ethical no .. illegal yes..

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 29 - ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

-HEAD-
Sec. 607. Place of solicitation

-STATUTE-
(a) Prohibition. -
(1) In general. - It shall be unlawful for any person to
solicit or receive a donation of money or other thing of value in
connection with a Federal, State, or local election from a person
who is located in a room or building occupied in the discharge of
official duties by an officer or employee of the United States.
It shall be unlawful for an individual who is an officer or
employee of the Federal Government, including the President, Vice
President, and Members of Congress, to solicit or receive a
donation of money or other thing of value in connection with a
Federal, State, or local election, while in any room or building
occupied in the discharge of official duties by an officer or
employee of the United States, from any person.

basically any fund raising form any federal property is illegal. between the hatch ac, the campaign finance reform and the "FEDERAL PROPERTY CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING REFORM ACT OF 2000".

 

[Tam]

It is not the first time Obama has violated the Hatch Act and if Holder is in charge of investigating his boss's actions I see little to NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT EVER.

Politico ("Reince Priebus accuses Obama of 'an apparent crime'"):

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is accusing President Barack Obama of committing "an apparent crime" when he recorded a video in the White House as part of a raffle to raise money for his reelection campaign.

"The facts of this case strongly suggest a crime was committed," Priebus said in a letter Monday to Attorney General Eric Holder. "I call on the Department of Justice to investigate this possible criminal act by the President of the United States."
Priebus's letter argues that Obama appears to have violated the Hatch Act, a federal law that restricts political activity and fundraising by federal employees. One part of that law makes it illegal for officials, including the president, to "solicit … a donation of money or other thing of value in connection with a Federal, State, or local election, while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties."

However, some good-government groups and campaign finance experts have shrugged off the Obama video and the related raffle, which was announced last month and sought a campaign donation of at least $5. In the fine print, it said no donation was required. And one expert said Monday that Priebus's letter was off the mark.

 

[hypocritexposer]

Would it have also been considered racist if a White President (say Bush) had used a WH message to "Announce the 2004 Launch of Caucasian Americans for Bush"?