Huckabee Named in Chicago Fundraising Lawsuit

Posted By Kevin Tracy at 7:48 pm on October 6, 2009

US Senate Candidate Andy Martin (R-IL)

For as little fundraising as former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee does, it’s remarkable how much controversy he can stir up doing it. First, many supporters and non-supporters alike have been highly critical of Huckabee inability to raise funds for himself, first in his failed Presidential bid in 2007-2008 and for his Political Action Committee HuckPAC now in 2009. More recently, Huckabee has been sending viewers of his FoxNews talk show to an online petition at www.balancecutsave.com, which asks people to sign a petition on the HuckPAC website and asks for donations of at least $15. This places both FoxNews and Huckabee in murky FEC and FCC waters because he never told the viewers that he stood to gain financially by advertising the site – which, to my understanding, is absolutely required.

Although legal action hasn’t been taken by any overzealous liberals (yet), there is another case in Illinois revolving around that state’s Republican Primary for US Senate (to challenge Senator Burris, who was chosen by ousted Governor Blagojevich). Ironically, the complaint is coming from a fellow Republican. Andy Martin, one of the Republican contenders, is complaining that a Republican Dinner with Mike Huckabee was in fact an illegal and poorly disguised campaign event for Paul Caprio, another contender who is facing allegations of using his PAC for personal wealth.

Huckabee is actually allowed to endorse anyone he wants, the problem is that this “campaign event” wasn’t hosted by HuckPAC (because they lack the money for something like that), but instead by the tax exempt Illinois Family Institute. This organization’s involvement in political campaigns is a violation of Internal Revenue Codes that allow them to avoid paying taxes as long as they remain strictly an issue advocacy group. Similar groups include Americans for Fair Taxation (the Fair Tax organization), but Huckabee has done a good job of avoiding any trouble for that organization.

The problem now facing Huckabee is that he can be named a co-conspirator with the Illinois Family Institute if State and Federal Prosecutors decide it would be entertaining and worth while to pursue this. If they do, it will be interesting to see what constitutional issues are brought up because the government is literally limiting free speech with its tax code.

I for one don’t think Huckabee did anything morally wrong by doing this event in Chicago, but morally wrong and legally wrong are two different boats. With regards to covertly sending people to his PAC’s website and asking for donations using what is supposed to be a “Fair and Balanced” cable news network (I don’t think any of us actually believe that), I think he crossed the line a bit, but desperate times call for desperate measures and if I was still a Huckabee supporter, I would probably be pleased that he’s taking some initiative by bending/breaking the rules to raise money. He wouldn’t risk hefty fines, embarrassing law suits, and possibly losing his spot on FoxNews if wasn’t taking his fundraising problem seriously for a change.

Comments (13)

13 Comments »

Comment by kevintracy on October 6, 2009

Sorry it’s been so long since my previous post. As some of you know, I wasn’t being challenged enough with Purdue, so I took on more than a full load of classes. It just so happens that ALL of the classes had tests and papers due this week. I’ll be writing more frequently again by Friday…

Though I suspect Huckabee supporters are going to wish I stayed quiet until then. God forbid anything bad should be said about Huckabee.

Comment by travis on October 7, 2009

Sorry from my end, too. My plate is overflowing, unfortuneatly, plus weddings I had to attend and what nots. Regardless, I shall be keeping up on the site much more often as well.

Comment by chukmaty on October 7, 2009

I like Huckabee, but he does not always seem to pay attention to details.

You are right about the tax code being used to limit free speech, no way it is constitutional.

Comment by Courtney on October 8, 2009

Glad to see you back, Kevin. Good luck on those tests.

I know I don’t speak for any Huckabee supporters but myself, but I don’t wish you to stay quiet. Do I always agree with what you say? No, but you have a right to say them. I do agree with you alot of the time though.

I finally decided to sign Huckabee’s petition (before reading your blog post) and I didn’t have to donate any money. You can sign the petition without donating to HuckPAC.

I don’t really understand the lawsuit so I can’t comment on it right now. I am confused why Huckabee was sued instead of the organization who hosted the event or the candidate who it was in support of.

Comment by Paulee on October 8, 2009

Huckabee, not as detailed as one should be…But, when it ever came to Mitt Romney he was detailed to a fault. Stone throwing can come back to bite one…Just a matter of time, as I thought..So, another reason why Huckabee would not be my choice for 2012…I think he has found his nitch…Besides I feel Fox and running for President is a conflict of interest.. Way too much Political grandstanding…unfair?? If one intends to run in 2012…Morally, I just think he is a bit too cagey for me…Lies of omission don’t sit well with me…so Huckabee face your shortcomings…Wish you well…But I am on board with Mitt Romney 2012…if he chooses to run…..

Comment by Grace on October 8, 2009

Kevin,
Can’t you find anything more meaningful to do with your time? You can’t support Huckabee – fine. Find someone you can support & get on with your life.

At any rate, DYODD, Andy Martin is not a guy that anyone should take too seriously since the courts no longer do –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Martin_(U.S._politician)
And Huckabee’s petition did not require people to donate in order to sign on so the suggestion that he knew he would profit by people signing his political petition is just silly.

Comment by kevintracy on October 8, 2009

Sorry it took so long to approve the comments, guys. It’s temporary until the system gets used to your e-mail addresses.

Grace,
At no time did I say I support Andy Martin. Also, at no time did I attack Huckabee’s intention by speaking. The real question you should ask yourself is whether or not YOU have anything better to do with YOUR time than damage control for a politician who has no idea that he’s accountable to US Federal Law instead of just Biblical Law.

Regardless of where Andy Martin stands on issues, he’s a Republican candidate for US Senate and both he and the IFI both should have known better than to make political statements by honoring one candidate and not inviting the others. That was absolutely stupid. I may not support Andy Martin, but that doesn’t mean the letter of the law isn’t on his side.

Comment by Grace on October 8, 2009

Kevin,
Why would you headline a post from a guy off the lunatic fringe suing Huckabee & treat it seriously? Right off the bat, any sane person who read the press release from this guy would question why he is suing Huckabee who has nothing to do with Martin’s attendance or lack thereof to this event. And most of us would recognize that it is because Huckabee is a bigger name & so Martin can hope to garner more free press off of this move. Additionally, so far all that has been heard has been Mr. Self-Aggrandizement’s version — and yet you accept everything he says without question?

Of course you have a right to your opinions. But you also have to accept a certain amount of responsibility as a blogger, don’t you think?

Now I don’t think anyone will disagree that Mitt Romney can afford to retain a formidable legal & political advising staff that Huckabee cannot. And yet, he still can’t seem to avoid controversy either – http://0daynews.org/zdn_exclusives/mitt-romney-child-torture.html

And there was the staffer caught dealing with the mafia that they forced to resign with some question about the legalities of their methods.

Do you really find Martin’s story to be important & useful? To what purpose? I read your article above & all I can see is that it gives you an opportunity to continue to bash the guy you are mad at. You damage yourself more than him with this kind of thing – and I don’t just mean your credibility…

Comment by kevintracy on October 8, 2009

Because the sanity of a person doesn’t directly correlate with the legitimacy of their status under the law.

“Mitt Romney is a careless idiot, too” doesn’t excuse Huckabee being a careless idiot. Both men should have known better, comparing Huckabee to Romney REALLY isn’t going to help your argument. Try again.

Comment by Grace on October 8, 2009

No, but the sanity of the person should be a factor in how much you credit to the story they are trying to float.

The Romney thing was actually in response to the other comments patting Romney on the head for being so superior.

Why would you give airtime to an obviously manufactured lawsuit unless you were just looking for ammunition to satisfy your animus?

May you find the peace that you are looking for…

Comment by kevintracy on October 9, 2009

*sigh*

Did Huckabee unintentionally break a questionably constitutional law? Yes.

Is there a lawsuit? Yes.

Grace, Huckabee is not Jesus Christ. His word isn’t gospel. His reputation isn’t the reputation of a major world religion. He’s just a moral man like any other who happens to not know the rules.

Comment by Daniel Miller on October 10, 2009

It was really stupid of Huck PAC to take signers straight to the donations page. That was retarded. Otherwise, it was just a petition.

I’m not really sure about the Huckster in 2012. I may get behind Santoroum or someone else. Not Romney though.

Well I’m rambling so I’ll go.

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