Very Serious Allegations Made Against 2012 Ron Paul Campaign Manager Jesse Benton

[Miguel]

Peter Waldron: The man behind ethics allegations against Bachmann

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/03/28/politics/michele-bachmann-ethics-charges

 

[New York For Paul]

Actually there was a debate about Iowa in 2011 over campaign problems. I recently spoke to some ex Ron Paul staffers who explained part of the Iowa strategy was to lose the Iowa straw poll and play weak and then come back to win the caucuses.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?308600-After-Ames-loss-time-for-campaign-shake-up

 

[New York For Paul]

Everybody hates McConnell.

 

[QuickZ06]

Oh, I am quite sure you will continue in the same manner you have been. Anything you can do to hurt Rand, you will do it.

That is ironic since I have seen you belittle people (kinda like you are now) on this site, i.e diehards that will do a lot of work coming up for the 16' run or well would have........We are all here for the same reason, LIBERTY!

 

[mosquitobite]

Fusaro speaks out: http://thebullelephant.com/fusaro-ron-paul/

“This stuff can bring down the Ron Paul movement,” Fusaro says, before taking pains to describe the difference between grassroots supporters of Ron Paul, and what he describes as “Ron Paul, Inc.,” basically a cottage industry of self-interested professionals with more interest in personal gain than in advancement of the movement. “Like Mike Rothfield has said, he [Ron Paul] can run his own campaign, while we run ours,” meaning essentially that “Ron Paul, Inc.” ran a campaign in parallel to the candidate himself, but without the candidate’s adherence to principle

And “Ron Paul, Inc.” is apparently big business; Rothfeld’s company alone appears to have been paid $7.7 million by the Ron Paul 2012 campaign, in addition to another $1 million for work done for Rand Paul.

“The brand and style of politics Dimitri [Kesari], Mike Rothfeld, John [Tate] practice has serious flaws,” Fusaro says. The bribery scheme is “symptomatic of a paradigm” that betrays all of the young and excited new conservatives who had flocked to the Liberty banner, according to Fusaro. Exposing the uncorrected and unpunished misdeeds is the only way Fusaro says he can ensure the future health of that movement. “We need to be better and cleaner than the other side.”

Fusaro tells us that he has more evidence that he will be releasing in coming days. He also says, somewhat cryptically, that he can prove that the Sorenson incident is “not the first time that Dimitri Kesari has made an illegal contribution in politics in the Midwest.”

It's starting to look like Fusaro is somewhat like Snowden...

 

[cajuncocoa]

There are a few updates to this story on EPJ today (the apologists will attack the messenger in 3....2....1...)

One in particular included a comment from Fusaro that I found interesting, for the fact that I can't even count how many times I have had this thought myself...including about certain people right here on this site:

“This stuff can bring down the Ron Paul movement,” Fusaro says, before taking pains to describe the difference between grassroots supporters of Ron Paul, and what he describes as “Ron Paul, Inc.,” basically a cottage industry of self-interested professionals with more interest in personal gain than in advancement of the movement. “Like Mike Rothfield [sic] has said, he [Ron Paul] can run his own campaign, while we run ours,” meaning essentially that “Ron Paul, Inc.” ran a campaign in parallel to the candidate himself, but without the candidate’s adherence to principle.

I don't think it's necessary to break the link to this article, but will do so to appease the apologists who will only see this as another attack on poor put-upon Jesse.

hxxp://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2013/08/ron-paul-vs-ron-paul-inc.html

 

[angelatc]

There are a few updates to this story on EPJ today (the apologists will attack the messenger in 3....2....1...)

One in particular included a comment from Fusaro that I found interesting, for the fact that I can't even count how many times I have had this thought myself...including about certain people right here on this site:




I don't think it's necessary to break the link to this article, but will do so to appease the apologists who will only see this as another attack on poor put-upon Jesse.

hxxp://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2013/08/ron-paul-vs-ron-paul-inc.html

Just don't link to him - link to the same people he links to.

The whole philosophy of libertarianism is rooted in the belief that people will act in their own personal best interests. It is not an undesirable trait by any means. But I'm not sure how to reconcile the need of some people to settle for short term gains which is what I see this debacle as.

 

[orenbus]

Saw this in the other thread, via DP:

Photobombed: McConnell Holds His Nose To Campaign As Conservative
Friday, August 9, 2013 | CR PAC Staff | Constitutional Rights PAC
This morning McConnell Instagrammed this picure in response to reports that Jesse Benton, his campaign manager said: “Between you and me, I’m sort of holdin’ my nose for two years because what we’re doing here is going to be a big benefit to Rand in ’16, so that’s my long vision...”

But it appears that this isn't the first time Mitch McConnell has been caught on camera holding his nose. It seems that he holds his nose every time he campaigns as a conservative.

1. Mitch McConnell was caught surfing the Senate Conservatives Fund website to Defund ObamaCare.

2. There's Mitch reading the Constitution...

3. I didn't realize Mitch is this old, but there he is during the signing of the Constitution!

4. Mitch came out for a photo-op during the 9/12 Tea Party event on the Capital...

5. I guess this is where Mitch and Jesse met...at a Ron Paul Rally.

6. Mitches don't know Mitches stink!

7. Mitch checking out a real conservative, Matt Bevin for Senate.

http://www.dailypaul.com/295407/jesse-benton-got-mitch-mcconnell-photobombed-hilarious

 

[Lucille]

It strikes me as a bit odd that this behavior is considered unethical and/or illegal, but it's no problem when special interests shower politicians with cash to benefit themselves, or megacorps write the bills that the criminals on capitol hill pass into "law."

 

[Miguel]

“This stuff can bring down the Ron Paul movement,” Fusaro says

More like bring down Jesse Benton if any of this is true

 

[cajuncocoa]

It strikes me as a bit odd that this behavior is considered unethical and/or illegal, but it's no problem when special interests shower politicians with cash to benefit themselves, or megacorps write the bills that the criminals on capitol hill pass into "law."

It also strikes me as odd that some here who scream about the special interests and corrupt megacorps have no problem with Jesse doing this, if true.

 

[Lucille]

It also strikes me as odd that some here who scream about the special interests and corrupt megacorps have no problem with Jesse doing this, if true.

"Some" meaning me? Just because I made that observation doesn't mean I support Benton's shenanigans, because I don't. I hate him, and I loathe any action those clowns took that would hurt Ron and the liberty movement.

 

[69360]

Everybody hates McConnell.

True, but some find he may be useful.

 

[cajuncocoa]

"Some" meaning me? Just because I made that observation doesn't mean I support Benton's shenanigans, because I don't. I hate him, and I loathe any action those clowns took that would hurt Ron and the liberty movement.

No, I didn't mean you, Lucille....you didn't say anything that made me think you were giving Jesse a pass.

 

[Lucille]

No, I didn't mean you, Lucille....you didn't say anything that made me think you were giving Jesse a pass.

OK, thanks!

 

[nobody's_hero]

No it is not.
It started with an ethics investigation in Iowa focusing on others. Back in May..

The investigation has led back to dealings with Benton.

For all the talk about "it is just politics" and "this is how it is done",, that is exactly what many people here hate about politics.
It was the Honesty and integrity of Ron Paul that attracted many (myself included).

Dishonesty and backroom deals are why people reject politics. It needs to be cleansed from the Liberty movement and purged from the ranks.
Even the appearance of impropriety should not be tolerated for a second,,, and certainly not defended.

Can't stress this enough. +rep

 

[Badger Paul]

It goes back to what I've said all along there were two campaigns in 2012, Ron's and whatever the inner staff was doing. I wrote back then it was largely to protect Rand's long-term political interests but as it turns out is was much more than that. And these fellows, presumably, would be the ones running Rand 2016. As I've also said, these people have nothing but contempt for the grassroots and would basically run the campaign by themselves using robo-calling, large sums of money raised through McConnell's network and TV ads (oh and I suppose The Collins would be around too to bring them coffee).

What's scary is Ron Paul as President as these fellows running around the West Wing acting like teenagers when the parents aren't home. In context of the modern Presidency, like it or not, RP would have made a pretty poor president. As the head of his own company and the head of his own campaign, basically let his staffers do whatever they want while he spends his time explaining the "message". It was perfect for these fellows because he could have cared less what they doing because he doesn't like the nuts and bolts of politics. It worked only so long if there was an honest fellow running things like Mark Elam or Kent Snyder. The benign neglect has tripped him up again and again in his career, whether it's the newsletters or Eric Dondero and now this juicy scandal. And by the time he does start caring it's way too late.

Oh how I miss Kent, God rest his soul. Maybe he didn't run a tight ship but at least he wasn't bribing little pissant state senators or getting rich off Ron Paul. His illiness and death robbed RP of the one man who wasn't who wasn't in this for himself, who saw the larger vision instead of the next quick buck. When he died, that spirit was gone away from Ron's side, replaced by an ingratiating little punk who married his way to influence. Rand cannot be President if he hires these morons and crooks on his team again, especially Benton. He's needs a brand new team who are both competent and honest at the same time.

 

[klamath]

It goes back to what I've said all along there were two campaigns in 2012, Ron's and whatever the inner staff was doing. I wrote back then it was largely to protect Rand's long-term political interest but as it turns out is was much more than that. And these fellows, presumably,would be the ones running Rand 2016. As I've also said, these people have nothing but contempt for the grassroots and would basically run the campaign by themselves using robo-calling, large sums of money raised through McConnell's network and TV ads (oh and I suppose The Collins would be around too to bring them coffee).

What's scary is Ron Paul as President as these fellows running around the West Wing acting like teenagers when the parents aren't home. In context of the modern Presidency, like it or not, RP would have made a pretty poor president. As the head of his own company and the head of his own campaign, basically let his staffers do whatever they want in his name while he spends his time explaining the "message". It was perfect for these fellows because he could have cared less what they doing because he doesn't like the nuts and bolts of politics. It worked only so long if there was an honest fellow running things like Mark Elam or Kent Snyder. The benign neglect has tripped him up again and again in his career, whether it's the newsletters or Eric Dondero and now this juicy scandal. And by the time he does start caring it's way too late.

Oh how I miss Kent, God rest his soul. Maybe he didn't run a tight ship but at least he wasn't bribing little pissant state senators or getting rich off Ron Paul. His illiness and death robbed RP of the one man who wasn't who wasn't in this for himself, who saw the larger vision instead of the next quick buck. When he died, that spirit was gone away from Ron's side, replaced by an ingratiating little punk who married his way to influence. Rand cannot be President if he hires these morons and crooks on his team again, especially Benton. He's needs a brand new team who are both competent and honest at the same time.

Unfortunately you are right. This is about RON. If Rand runs a ship like his father he will end up with a corrupt administration.

 

[KingNothing]

Yeah, and she probably heard about it from this website. I swear, we are our own worst enemies.

There is a mind-numbing level of stupidity on this board, from time to time.

 

[KingNothing]

You mean the guy who was trashing Ron Paul's campaign publicly while it was at its height? That guy? You mean the guy who openly advocates anarchy?

Yeah, what a fabulous idea.

People here have absolutely no idea of how to win, or how to think long-term. They want bluster, outrage, and rancor.