As reported yesterday, the Chamber of Commerce is using foreign donations in election spending against Democratic candidates.
Which brings up the question, what do the Republican beneficiaries of this spending think about it? Think Progress asked Roy Blunt, and he did not appear any too eager to face the question. In fact, he turned and walked away at a pretty good clip.
TP: Congressman Blunt? We reported at ThinkProgress yesterday that the Chamber of Commerce is accepting money from foreign corporations and using that same bank account for buying attack ads. If you’re elected to the Senate will you investigate this? Excuse me, Roy Blunt? Sir, the Chamber of Commerce has admitted that it’s accepting foreign money from businesses like the Bahrain Petroleum Company and they’re using that same bank account to run attack ads. Will you investigate the use of foreign money in our election[s]?
TP: Congressman Blunt? Pardon me, Congressman Blunt? Congressman Blunt? [BLUNT takes out cellphone] We reported yesterday at ThinkProgress that the Chamber of Commerce is fundraising from foreign companies, in India and Bahrain and many other places, uh, they’re using that same bank account run attack ads. Are you going to investigate this? [...]
STAFFER: Sure you can call the office [...] Let me give you a card and you’re welcome to call and uh, we’ll get you what you need. He’s on the phone but we’ll get you what he needs.
TP: Who’s he talking to? He’s not saying anything. Congressman Blunt? Are you sure he’s on the phone — I don’t hear him saying anything.
BLUNT: ...And the event went fine. Good. Good. Really? Okay.
TP: Excuse me, Congressman Blunt? I have a membership application that the Chamber of Commerce is distributing in Bahrain asking for funds for the same bank account – the same campaign account – used to run campaign advertisements here in America. Do you have any comment on that?
BLUNT: I have no idea what you’re talking about. Talk to the Chamber, I have no idea.
TP notes that Blunt has accepted the Chamber's endorsement; as of September 10, Political Correction found $324,640 in Chamber ads attacking Blunt's opponent, Democrat Robin Carnahan.
As Carnahan's own ads have repeatedly shown, Blunt has never run away from close relationships with big business. Apparently it's just questions about those relationships he doesn't like.