They have gotten some of their information updated. I went to their Profile on Adrian Smith.
The first thing I found interesting was the fact that he exited his political campaign in debt. That's right: He reported having Cash on Hand in the amount of $16,456, but his outstanding Debts stood at $35,920.
When you click on the "Geographic Totals", they state the numbers are from the FEC's list of contributions over $200. I've looked at the FEC numbers, and these represent only the true individual contributions. They do not represent the donations from individuals that were directed through the Club for Growth. That number accounts for almost $235,000 in additional out-of-state contributions.
When you combine these two lists, you find something interesting as far as the top donating states. First, 59% of Adrian Smith's individual contributions came from outside of Nebraska. Compare that to his opponent, Scott Kleeb, who's out-of-state contributions were 56% of his total individual donations. So, percentage-wise, Kleeb actually had a greater share of his individual contributions from Nebraskans than Smith did. In dollar amounts, Smith only had about an $8,000 advantage.
Next, remember when Smith and his campaign would try to label Kleeb as being from the east coast and getting supported by New York? Let's look at the top 15 states, in order of amounts donated, for each candidate:
SCOTT KLEEB:
Nebraska
New York
California
Connecticut
Virginia
Washington DC
Illinois
Colorado
Arizona
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Florida
New Jersey
So. Dakota
ADRIAN SMITH:
Nebraska
New York
Florida
Texas
California
Illinois
Virginia
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
So. Dakota
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Wisconsin
Colorado
Ohio
Imagine that. For Smith, the next state to contribute the most to his campaign is New York. Just like his opponent.
The next interesting factoid is the "Personal Finances" link. Open Secrets obtained a copy of the financial disclosure form Smith had to submit as a candidate. It shows that his income in 2005 came from the following:
State of Nebraska - $12,000
Buyers Realty - $10,551
It also shows he got rent from his "My Other Garage Mini-Storage" between $5,000 to $15,000, and also from part-time rental of his Lincoln condo between $1,000 to $2,500. He's also got a loan on his mini-storage units for between $50,000 to $100,000.
This then takes me to the most interesting link on the site. The "Expenditures" list. This is what his campaign basically wrote checks on. A lot is easily found to be campaign related. Then there were the things listed that raise eyebrows.
1. $38,181 to Nancy Bocskor. She's a professional campaign fundraiser who has taught seminars at....get this....YALE UNIVERSITY!
2. $1,116 to Dogs 'R' Us, Richmond, VA. Okay, so a search says they sell hot dogs, italian sausages, trout, ribs, etc. That much money on that kind of fare...that's a lot of weiners to be swallowing.
3. $534,921 to Greener and Hook, Arlington, VA. Their motto is "Driving public opinion through Strategic Communications." Their a Republican communications firm that handles TV, Radio, and print.
4. $70,753 to Dan Huber, who was Adrian Smith's campaign manager. That's quite a paycheck.
5. $10,504 to Miss Negin Kordbacheh, Washington, DC. A search shows that this was listed as a "salary". Miss Kodbacheh has also been on the RNC payroll and has written articles for the Orange County Iranian-Americans. Don't know what capacity she had with the campaign though.
6. $22,848 for Adrian Smith. Did he actually get paid by his campaign? Then what with the over $10,000 attributed to being contributions by the candidate for his own campaign?
7. $141,666 to Neal Smith, Adrian's father. A look at the FEC forms say it's for payroll processing.
You can view the entire list for yourself and make up your own minds on this stuff.
8 comments:
Get over your crush. Kleeb's getting married, in case you haven't heard. And Miss Flemming just ruined any chance Kleebie had in 2008 by blowing his cover as an ultra-lib!
Good bye...
I debated on whether or not to let the above comment be posted because it was obvious trolling, and had nothing to do with the topic at hand. But, finally, I decided why not. It's the perfect example of just how sad some people are. And it's a perfect demonstration of how they react when something is presented to them that makes them EXTREMELY uncomfortable, and which they cannot argue against. So, they try to distract from the conversation. So typical. And how revealing.
Kleeb's information was used as a comparison because (DUH!) he was the other candidate in 2006. Combine facts with Adrian's own assertions during the campaign, and what better way to prove the hypocrisy of Smith?
On a side note, I've met Jane Fleming and found her to be very down-to-earth, and someone who will be a tremendous asset to our state as one of our new residents. I wish her and Scott the best of luck.
Thanks for commenting!!
Lisa,
We really enjoyed your last post regarding Adrian's finances.
I was surprised to see how little his income is which brings many assumptions that he is still dependent upon his parents. the 140,000 to his father was particularly interesting. IMO 70,000 is a quite an amount to shell out for a campaign manager for a western Nebraska race, of course when you are a fraud of a candidate you need the best. It was additionally amusing that his storage units derive very little $ considering how often he uses these units to claim "small business owner" status.
Over a half million dollars to have people tell you how and what to say. WOW!!! No wonder he kept repeating the same talking points over and over.
Can you tell me why Scott was fined for his House ethics violation for receiving money from Yale during the campaign?
Thanks
To Anonymous @ 10:33PM:
Scott was not fined for a "House Ethics Violation for receiving money from Yale during the campaign". His campaign was fined $200 for not getting the Financial Disclosure form in within 30 days. The form says "A $200 penalty shall be assessed against anybody who files more than 30 days late."
Smith was fine for far more violations that Kleeb was, all paperwork issues.
Scott had some pay from Yale because of his teaching position in early 2005 as he completed his doctorate.
Sorry to disappoint you and your attempt to feed out missinformation.
well done Lisa!
Lisa, first of all great work. Second, is Smith paying his father a violation? I was wondering if any other politians have gotten in trouble for that. Either way, it looks pretty shady.
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