South Carolina Democrats are facing criticism for using one of the federal government’s most influential regulators to raise money at an exclusive Washington D.C. fundraiser.
Former State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum – who was confirmed in June as President Barack Obama’s Chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – headlined an invite to a swanky D.C. fundraiser Tuesday evening with U.S. Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Rep. John Spratt.
In her role as Consumer Safety Chairwoman, Tenenbaum oversees the regulation of literally thousands of companies … causing some to question whether or not the Democrats should have used her in a fundraising capacity.
“It’s got ‘shakedown’ written all over it,” one GOP operative told FITS.
Here’s the invite …
Tenenbaum was ultimately unable to attend the event due to pressing business in China, sources tell FITS, although that doesn’t make her name appearing on the invite any less controversial.
Like prostitution (or bribery), fundraisers featuring politicians are obviously nothing new … but what about asking for money in exchange for access to a government regulator?
That certainly seems like something that should be out of bounds.
FITS is seeking an invitation list (and an attendance list) for this event to determine whether or not any of the individuals or companies solicited for $5,000, $2,500 or $1,000 contributions are among those regulated by Tenenbaum’s Commission.
Incidentally, Tuesday’s event was organized by the Katz Watson Group, a prominent Washington, D.C. fundraising firm.
FITS also has a call into the S.C. Democratic Party to see what they’ve got to say about all this …
UPDATE: And here’s what they’ve got to say … courtesy of party communications director Keiana Page:
“As it turned out, Ms. Tenenbaum had to go to China and was not present, although her participation in the reception had been approved by the legal counsel at the Consumer Products Safety Commission. The event and the invitation followed all of the applicable laws and ethics regulations. All the contributions to the SC Democratic Party will be reported following state and federal campaign finance laws. One reason we hired the Katz Watson group as our DC fundraisers is their expertise in complying with the appropriate laws and regulations. We do not release the guest list to any of our events; as far as we know no other political party or candidate does, either.”
By Paul October 23, 2009 at 10:10 am
Damn skippy this is wrong.
Go gettem Fits.
By Todd October 23, 2009 at 10:27 am
Think how much better off we would have been with Inez as governor the past 7 years. Despite having Sam as the first husband.
By Ynot October 23, 2009 at 11:34 am
part of the problem
By Darth October 23, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Yup, just imagine all the graft and corruption under the rug if Inez wuz guv for the last seven years… tha Rinos couldn’t blame the spending on Sanford.
By baked October 23, 2009 at 4:57 pm
business in china? is she hanging out with a sc politician who’s actually shorter than her while she’s there?
By Mike Honcho October 23, 2009 at 9:41 pm
So the Dems pulled the old bait-and-switch to raise corporate dollars?
The least they could have done is put up a cardboard cutout of Inez with a copy of our test scores and graduation rates. You know, reassure those corporate types that she lets a lot get by her.