Feldkamp's $77,500 Miracle
Kari Chisholm
While running against Peter DeFazio for the Fourth Congressional District in 2004 and 2006, Republican Jim Feldkamp has managed to perform several amazing miracles. Perhaps he should be considered for sainthood, because this stuff is truly amazing.
Here's the deal: In 2004, Feldkamp reported an annual income of $10,200 - and assets of less than $5000 in his bank accounts. But at the same time, he reported that he loaned his campaign $77,500. Miraculous.
Then, in 2005, he reported that the loan was repaid. And yet, his bank accounts didn't budge back upward. Another miracle.
How does Little Jimmy Feldkamp respond to inquiries about this extraordinary phenomenon?
At first...
"Campaign aide Nina Avery said Feldkamp's ability to respond more directly was hampered because he could not access his financial records while he was out of town." (Register-Guard 3/24/06)
And now?
"Feldkamp says his attorney is handling the issue with the FEC and wouldn't comment on it." The Oregonian, 7/24/06
That story includes my absolute, number one, most favorite Little Jimmy Feldkamp quote of all time:
Regarding the $77,500 loan charge, Feldkamp says: "You can't have it both ways. Either I don't have the money or I'm a multi-millionaire rich kid."
That's right, Jimmy! You're right on target! Either you've got the money, or you don't. That's the WHOLE point. So far, you've been telling the House that you don't have the money - and yet telling the FEC that you made a huge loan, and then paid it off. You really can't have it both ways.
And yet, there's another miracle.
Neither the Register-Guard nor the Oregonian have followed up or investigated the matter further. Despite the fact that the loan is either a violation of IRS regulations, US House of Representatives ethics rules, or federal campaign finance rules, Feldkamp's "no comment" has successfully halted any inquiries.
After previously being fined twice by the FEC for campaign finance violations, Feldkamp refuses to tell the voters in the 4th Congressional District where the money for the loan came from and the where the money to pay it off came from.
Now that he's hiding behind his attorney, seems to me that Little Jimmy Feldkamp will fit right in with the Duke Cunningham, Tom DeLay, Jack Abramoff crowd in Washington, D.C.
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Aug 9, '06
This post was so odd that I started trolling FEC records
I just saw that in 2004 he reported the federal maximum $4000 contribution total (in $2K increments), usually the amounts reserved for rich folk - from a waitress. CORRECTION: hostess. At a steakhouse. In Alaska.
Thanks for raising this Cari. www.fec.gov for more.
Aug 9, '06
This post was so odd that I started trolling FEC records
I just saw that in 2004 he reported the federal maximum $4000 contribution total (in $2K increments), usually the amounts reserved for rich folk - from a waitress. CORRECTION: hostess. At a steakhouse. In Alaska.
Thanks for raising this Cari. www.fec.gov for more.
Aug 9, '06
Imagine that. The Mainstream Media in Oregon giving some young Republican up and comer a free ride against the one member of congress who stands up and fights. I'm stunned. The next time the Reg Guard, Oregonian, or Statesman Journal do any real political journalism that looks at a Republican "up and comer" will be the first. This point was made in a previous thread on Dalto.
Of course if DeFazio jaywalks, they'll be all over that like stink on s*&t. They want this guy groomed to succeed DeFazio. They know he won't win this time, so why make the effort? Better to keep him around for the future.
9:16 a.m.
Aug 10, '06
Nice post!
Aug 10, '06
Tuck-
Put down the crack pipe, buddy. You obviously have no idea what the hell you're talking about. I was fortunate enough to serve as Feldkamp's press secretary in 04, so I'll give you some insight here... "They want this guy groomed to succeed DeFazio." Really? None of those papers wanted anything to do with that race. We had a hard time getting anything in the press until DeFazio started acknowledging (and attacking) Jim. Most of the press in that district LOVES DeFazio and wouldn't give us the time of day. In fact, they were OPENLY HOSTILE to our campaign,like, "How dare you even try to run against Peter!" Go ahead and search the archives of those papers. The SJ and the Oregonian NEVER covered that race in 04. The R-G had only the occasional story. And could it be that the MSM isn't covering this scandal because there's nothing to it? Hmm...imagine that. What cracks me up is that you guys keep posting about the need for things to change in this state...while advocating for the reelection of the same people who have lead us nowhere for the last 20 years. Do you not realize that Democrats run this state and have been running this state?
Aug 10, '06
"Do you not realize that Democrats run this state and have been running this state?"
Actually, if you look at who has controlled all budget and revenue committees in the House (from where budget bills must emerge) for more than a decade, you will find that the responsibility for setting agencies' (and the state's) budgets has rested almost entirely with . . .Republicans! I won't get into how budgetary decisions are used to shape policy. So on that point, you protest too much.
A more relevant reference to state politics (as opposed to Congressional elections) might have focused on similar charges against (what was his name?) Dan Doyle (?) who was elevated by the R's to head the House Ways and Means Committee (!!!) before it was discovered that he too may have not been made of the right stuff when it comes to financial reporting, honesty, law-abidingness, etc, etc. That was a REAL story-- law-breaking by the top buget guy for the Republicans--and a real condemnation of the people who "run this state."
--Aubrey Russell
Aug 10, '06
It appears that Mr. Jorgensen has been using the crack pipe he denotes in his comment. The issue concerns the magic hat of $77,000.00 and the where abouts of whence it came. Or is the New Math Mr FeldKamp studied at the Ken Lay's Institute of Magical Money Manipulation"
Aug 10, '06
KISS-
Jim is part-owner of a thriving, multi-generational family business that employs unionized workers at good wages. As part owner, Jim has stock in the company, whose assets are substantial. Way to go try to make a mountain out of a molehill. Aside from that, my comments were a response to Tuck's uninformed claims that the 4th District media is somehow enamored with Feldkamp. What in my prior comments indicates that I'm smoking crack? I was simply responding to misinformation.
Aubrey-
Seeing as how Democrats currently hold all but one state office, any point you are trying to make is irrelevant. Republicans can control the legislature, but the governor has to sign it. They have never had enough of a majority to override a veto. So, once again, Democrats run this state, and have been running this state. In terms of Dan Doyle, he got what he deserved.
Aug 13, '06
Multi-generational business = inherited wealth.
If they still employ Union Labor, it's only because their factory in India is still under construction. I'll bet he outsources every one of them right after the election, or doubles their health insurance premiums...or, or, or, the $77,500 was actually North Korean counterfeit currency that he received in exchange for arms shipments... You said he owns a business, right?
Business owners are baaaaad! Republican business owners are worse! It's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a Republican to get a fair shake at BlueOregon.
Aug 16, '06
Being a moderate democrat, who typically votes down party lines, I am not sure I will this time around in the 4th district. Defazio does great constituent work and thats really why he is in office, but what does he do for us in Washington? Ya I dont know either? He has never gotten one bill passed, for being in office since '86, that's pretty bad. He's great at telling us the problems we face, that's good, but only part of the answer, I want effective solutions from Defazio, not just mere complaints. Terrorism is a huge issue to me and looking at his voting record on national security and terrorism issues doesn't impress me. Now Feldkamp is not perfect, but with his background in counterterrorism in the FBI is no doubt a warrior on terrorism and a moderate on most other issues. Feldkamp although young and somewhat inexperienced could bring a much needed new light to Oregon.
Aug 17, '06
nice post! isn't it the richie rich boy on the pic? :)
Aug 17, '06
Defazio does great constituent work and thats really why he is in office, but what does he do for us in Washington? Ya I dont know either? He has never gotten one bill passed, for being in office since '86, that's pretty bad.
I hear Peter DeFazio interviewed on national broadcasts (incl. Ed Schultz recently) talking about transportation safety, the need to screen cargo and not just passenger carryons, and similarly important issues.
Whether or not Peter has ever gotten a bill passed (I would look for a more authoritative source than a blog before I'd believe that) he is a treasure in Washington for work such as that on transportation safety.