SALTER – Louisiana Democratic complaint is a political manifesto
The Louisiana Democratic Party chairman’s complaint that former Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering’s political action committee attempted to launder a campaign contribution to a Louisiana GOP Senate candidate doesn’t appear to carry much weight.
Why? The Federal Election Commission complaint is long on allegations and short on proof.
The complaint accuses Gov. Haley Barbour’s PAC, Pickering’s PAC and the campaign of incumbent Republican Louisiana U.S. Sen. David Vitter of four FEC violations: Making a contribution in the name of another; permitting your name to be used in a conduit scheme; accepting a contribution in the name of another; and, individuals who assisted in making a contribution in the name of another.
Putting that in clearer terms, Louisiana Democrats claim that Pickering wanted to make a donation from his PAC to Vitter’s campaign, but was afraid a straight donation would incite news coverage just like this column that rehashed both Pickering’s and Vitter’s personal problems.
Clarion-Ledger
10/7/9
Magnolia Tribune
