Modern Whig Party stands up for campaign finance reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EVERYWHERE, Nevada, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) March 17, 2011 --

LAS VEGAS, NV (Friday, March 18, 2011) Jon Ralston of the Las Vegas Sun recently reported on how a Nevada gubernatorial candidate manipulated over 90 PACs to circumvent election laws governing campaign donations. The candidate in question setup one central PAC and solicited large donations far in excess of the limit for direct campaign donations (as much as $150,000) from various groups and people for that PAC for a total of $750,000. The candidate then created over 90 other PACs. The central PAC made a series of maximum limit donations to each of those other PACs, which in turn forwarded the money as a legal contribution to the candidate’s campaign fund.
Here is the original story: http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/ralstons-flash/2011/mar/04/rory-reids-gubernatorial-campaign-circumvented-con/

The legality of this is in question and it will most likely be weeks, if not months before a final conclusion is reached. However, the Modern Whigs firmly believe that the actions described above violate the spirit of the law and common decency. The Modern Whigs condemn this practice, and pledge that any candidate running under our auspices as either a party member or with our endorsement will be disavowed and expelled from the party (if applicable) immediately upon discovery. Ethical behavior must and will be one of the hallmarks of any Whig candidate or elected official.

It is the recommendation of the Modern Whigs that all direct contributions to a candidate’s campaign be limited to those from eligible voters and the appropriate political party committee as allowed for in federal law. We believe that such a restriction will not be in violation of Citizens United because PACs and other organizations would still be able to take independent action as they do now. The Modern Whigs call on those who care about genuine campaign finance reform to join with them.

Established in 1833, the Whigs are one of America's oldest mainstream political parties. They were the original party of Abraham Lincoln and four other U.S. Presidents. Revived by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the grassroots movement has quickly attracted tens of thousands of members. They represent moderate voters from all walks of life that focus on a methodological approach to issues working for the most effective solution over a strict ideological approach. This Washington, DC-based national movement values common sense, rational solutions ahead of ideology and partisan bickering.

Contact:
Mike Bergstrom- Nevada Whig Chairman
nevada@modernwhig.org

Jim Bacon- Southern Nevada Whig Vice Chairman
jimb@whigsofnevada.org

#############################

independent party     Jon Ralston     Las Vegas Sun     moderate     modern whig party     nevada     Nevada politics     PAC