Pearce and Tancredo: Putting The "F" Back In Freedom

Wonder if Pearce et. al.  understand that his acting as if he is above the law just reinforces the reasons that people want to recall him?  He and his ilk would have everyone (especially their nativist followers) believe that it's all about immigration.  They want everyone to forget the arrogance, corruption, and the simple meanness that are the hallmarks of his Senate presidency.

Moves like this one won't help him.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary K. Reinhart -

A national fundraising effort to fight the recall against Senate President Russell Pearce may be running afoul of state campaign-finance laws.

Team America, a political-action committee headed by former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., sent an e-mail blast Friday soliciting corporate and private donations for Citizens Who Oppose the Pearce Recall.

"Russell needs a quick infusion of funds to get his campaign started," said the e-mail, from Team America co-chair Bay Buchanan.

"Because it is a recall effort corporate funds are welcome and contributions are unlimited!!"

But state elections officials say Arizona law bans corporate and union donations to influence an election, and that includes opposing a recall effort.

Really?!?  Sure Russell "The law is the LAW" Pearce and his supporters wouldn't do anything illegal, would they?

From ARS 16-919 -

A. Except as provided in section 16-914.02, it is unlawful for a corporation or a limited liability company to make an expenditure or any contribution of money or anything of value for the purpose of influencing an election, and it is unlawful for the designating individual who formed an exploratory committee, an exploratory committee, a candidate or a candidate's campaign committee to accept any contribution of money or anything of value from a corporation or a limited liability company for the purpose of influencing an election. This subsection does not apply to political committees that are incorporated pursuant to title 10, chapters 24 through 40 and political committees that are organized as limited liability companies.

B. Except as provided in section 16-914.02, it is unlawful for a labor organization to make an expenditure or any contribution of money or anything of value for the purpose of influencing an election.

{snip}

1. "Election" means any election to any political office, any election to any political convention or caucus or any primary election held for the purpose of selecting any candidate, political committee or other person for any political office, convention or caucus.

Seems pretty clear to me, but I don't expect Pearce and his allies will let minor details like the law get in the way of their grasping for money.

Tedski at R-Cubed has his take, with a copy of a fundraising email from Pearce, here.

David Safier at Blog for Arizona has his take, with a tie in to the movie referenced by the title of this post, here.

BTW - That referenced movie, Team America: World Police, is perhaps the single funniest movie I've ever seen.  It is also almost certainly the single filthiest mainstream movie ever made.  It is from the creative minds behind the TV show South Park and showcases what they would do if they didn't have Comedy Central's censors looking over their shoulders.

I heartily recommend the movie, with one caveat - don't be fooled by the presence of marionettes in the movie.  In no way, shape, or form is this a movie for the kids.