Chamber of Commerce responds to Democrats’ charge

Fox News reports:

Chamber Refutes Foreign Money Charge, Accuses Administration of ‘Fear and Smear’
October 12, 2010

The Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday refuted Democrats’ claims that it could be pumping foreign money into U.S. elections, accusing the Obama administration of “grasping at straws” in a last-ditch bid to shift public opinion.

Bruce Josten, executive vice president of government affairs at the Chamber of Commerce, described as “laughable” a new Democratic National Committee ad that all but accuses his organization and top GOP strategists of illegally using foreign donations for political purposes.

“It seems to me the administration is acting out of desperation,” he told Fox News. Josten said his organization has 115 American chambers abroad in 108 foreign countries as well as several dozen foreign-multinational firms that have been long-time members—but their money does not go toward campaigns.

“We comply rigorously with all federal laws,” he said. “We don’t solicit any of those groups for our issue-advocacy campaigns.”

Josten accused the Obama administration of turning from “hope and change” to “fear and smear.”

But the White House is promising to keep the pressure on. Though President Obama did not mention the controversy during remarks at two Miami fundraisers, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that the president has no intention of dropping the issue.

“The president will continue to make the argument that we don’t know where this money comes from and entities like the Chamber have said they get money from overseas,” he said. “Again, the larger discussion is on disclosing who these donors are. That’s the point the president has made. He’s not changing that point and he’ll make it again.”

Gibbs later said groups like the Chamber of Commerce “owe it to the American people to tell us who they are.”

But after Vice President Biden said Monday that he will “stand corrected” if the Chamber of Commerce takes him up on his challenge to disclose how much foreign investment they’re using, some suggests it’s time for an apology.

“We accept the vice president’s challenge here and now and are happy to provide our answer: Zero,” Tom Collamore, senior vice president for organization’s communications and strategy, said in a written statement.

“He better stand corrected,” GOP strategist Karl Rove said.

Rove, a Fox News contributor, is among the individuals targeted in the new DNC ad. He questioned what Democrats think they have to gain by pursuing this argument.

“Who’s the genius inside the White House who said, ‘You know what? We can win the election by using Karl Rove’s name?’” he told Fox News. “I want to meet that idiot.”

[end of article]

Two comments from Lucianne.com:

Reply 3—Posted by: OMyMy, 10/13/2010 6:38:11 AM

Hey Obama, put up or shut up. Where is the evidence? The LSM could dig into that within 48 hours. BTW, where did all that cash come from sending you to the expensive universities? Hidden with your birth certificate I suppose.

Reply 4—Posted by: awen, 10/13/2010 6:53:39 AM

I do believe that Obama and his minions are in the process of hanging themselves with their own rope. The sheer stupidity of the Obama administration is breathtaking. If you are going to call out your adversary on an issue, you had better make sure that your own house is in order and that your record is pristine.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall. Who suggested to Obama that he do this? I’d love to know.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at October 13, 2010 09:08 AM | Send