Sure, It's My Party...but I Don't Like the Favors

The Federal Election Commission just ruled that former Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman may use campaign funds from his Guiness Book of Records attempt at the longest campaign for Senator to help pay for "legal fees" associated with two lawsuits being brought against a friend of his so he can serve as a witness. The attorneys for Coleman (remember, he is just a witness here...he is NOT named in either of the lawsuits) claim that these lawsuits are a direct result of Coleman's position and therefore the use of campaign finances are justified. AHNNN (supposed to be that buzzer sound game shows use when you give the wrong answer). An AP article reports that "A former chief executive at Deep Marine Technology, a company owned by Kazeminy, has alleged in a Texas case that Kazeminy funneled $75,000 to an insurance company that employed Coleman's wife, Laurie. Shareholders of Deep Marine Technology in Delaware have filed a suit with nearly identical allegations." The legal fees over which this ruling was made were for lawyers to prepare Coleman to be a witness. Sorry, but I think this ruling stinks and that it opens the door for even more putrid-smelling rulings later on. And I don't think it is going to do anything to enhance the reputation of the GoP that this increasingly unpopular (yes, I know that it is Minnesota, but to be in a race where there is even a shred of doubt against AL FRANKEN?? You have to be pretty unpopular to get to that point) Republican is using campaign funds for what should be patently personal legal affairs. It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.