Democrat donations worth another look

I recently took the opportunity to challenge my Democrat counterparts over the
embarrassing revelation that they had solicited and received $10,000 last year from controversial Mississippi trial lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs.

Scruggs is one of the big-money, out-of-state contributors that
bankroll the operations of North Dakota’s Democrats. Scruggs has made hundreds of millions of dollars for himself suing American businessmen and women. But Mr. Scruggs’ run of legal success seems to be screeching to a halt.

He now stands accused of judicial bribery. In fact, just weeks ago the FBI raided the offices of the law firm hired to defend him.

Most politicians are now fleeing Scruggs faster than a North Dakota Pronghorn Antelope. In fact, Bill and Hillary Clinton cancelled a fundraiser recently set for Scruggs’ home.

My own suggestion, was North Dakota Democrats consider donating their Scruggs’ money to a worthy charity.

But what is most remarkable about this episode is not that the North Dakota Democrat Party received money from someone like Dickie Scruggs. To be
fair, something embarrassing can happen to a contributor to any party or candidate, though most would have the good sense to return the money ASAP. What is remarkable is the pattern of fundraising abuses that seem to plague North Dakota Democrats.

It is this pattern of behavior that should concern North Dakotans. Something is seriously wrong with how North Dakota Democrats have come to operate in the
field of political fundraising. Consider the growing list of Democrat finance fiascos:

In 2006, the North Dakota Democrat Party forfeited $44,000 in illegal corporate
contributions after being roundly criticized for flouting the state’s campaign finance laws.

In 2005, Democrat US Senator Byron Dorgan became ensnared in the Jack Abramoff influence peddling scandal. Dorgan was pressured to return $67,000
dollars in Abramoff-tainted contributions. As reported by the Associated Press, the issue was intertwined with his 2003 involvement with a
Massachusetts Indian Tribe seeking federal recognition, and a 2001 fundraiser he hosted in a sports arena skybox with Abramoff ties.

But it does not stop there. An analysis of the North Dakota Democrats most recent year end finance report reveals a list of bizarre fundraising choices: $10,000 from a New Jersey rice trader who was deeply involved with disgraced former US Senator Robert Torricelli.

$10,000 over the last two election cycles from a political action committee organized to advance “bisexual rights,” among other things. $10,000 from the head of the Clinton-cozy satellite company that was forced to pay $14 million in fines for passing sensitive missile technology to communist China. $10,000 from a liberal Hollywood insider, received on election day.

Well over $100,000 from asbestos trial lawyers around the country.

In light of all this, it pays to remember that the current North Dakota Democrat Party Chairman, David Strauss, played a key role in a major
national scandal. Strauss was Al Gore’s deputy chief of staff who helped arrange and later attended the now infamous Buddhist Temple Fundraiser. It would appear the experience did little to chasten Mr. Strauss’ fundraising ethic.

Any objective review of campaign finance records on file with the Secretary of State’s office would conclude that the state’s Democrats have become a subsidiary of some very questionable out-of-state interests. By comparison, North Dakota Republicans tend to be funded to a greater extent by smaller, North Dakota donors.

From Scruggs to Strauss, Dorgan to Abramoff, bisexual rights activists to asbestos litigators, the story of the North Dakota Democrats and their
reckless fundraising is an ongoing saga. As we enter another election year these are things worthy of voters’ consideration. On one hand, you will have Republican candidates supported mainly by actual North Dakotans. On the Democrat side, candidates will be brought to you largely by a collection of big money donors who neither live here, nor share our values.

The difference could not be more stark.
- Gary Emineth, State Chairman