Apparently, stealing money from your campaign contributors counts as "fiscally conservative" to the Republicans who nominated Christine O'Donnell:
(Note: If the video does not display correctly for you, you can watch it here.)
Earlier today Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed complaints against O'Donnell for stealing campaign contributions and called for criminal investigations.
20 Sep 2010 // Washington, D.C. -- Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed complaints with the Delaware U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against newly-minted Delaware senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell (R) for using campaign funds for personal living expenses. By misusing campaign funds, Ms. O'Donnell committed the crime of conversion; by lying about her expenditures on forms she filed with the FEC, she committed false statements; and by failing to include the campaign funds she misappropriated as income, she committed tax evasion.
"Christine O'Donnell is clearly a criminal, and like any crook she should be prosecuted," said Melanie Sloan, CREW Executive Director. "Ms. O'Donnell has spent years embezzling money from her campaign to cover her personal expenses. Republicans and Democrats don't agree on much these days, but both sides should agree on one point: thieves belong in jail not the United States Senate."
CREW's complaint is based, in part, on the affidavit of former campaign aide David Keegan. Mr. Keegan explained that in 2009, when Ms. O'Donnell was out of money, she paid her landlord, Brent Vasher, two months rent out of her campaign funds. On FEC forms, Ms. O'Donnell called the expenditures "expense reimbursements." Mr. Keegan also attested that Ms. O'Donnell routinely used campaign funds for meals and gas, and even a bowling outing. This is not surprising given that Ms. O'Donnell has not held a steady job or had a discernable source of income for many years.
"If you need money to pay the rent and eat, you get a job; you don't start a Senate campaign so unsuspecting donors can support you," said Sloan.
Meanwhile, even as evidence mounts that Christine O'Donnell is a snake oil saleswoman ripping off donors to her campaign, she claims to have already raised $1.9 million since her nomination on Tuesday. It's too bad that so much money is going to a thief, but on the bright side at least that's $1.9 million of GOP cash heading to a lost cause.
Join the discussion in TrahmalG's recommended diary, Christine O' Donnell was her own campaign treasurer . . . Oops!.