I’ve received three campaign fundraising emails today from the Tim Kaine campaign. All of them, including one under the candidate’s name himself, says that George Allen is bankrolling his own campaign with $500k. The only problem: its not true.
Mike Henry, campaign manager for Kaine writes: “George Allen just sent $500,000 of his personal fortune to his campaign.”
Mo Elleithee, a Kaine adviser claims: “By injecting $500,000 of his personal money into the campaign, George Allen is just completing the cycle.”
And Kaine states: “Recently, we learned that George Allen has given $500,000 to his campaign.”
This might make for a nice way to get $3 contributions at the 11th hour, but it’s untrue and says a lot about the credibility and ethics of Tim Kaine.
The report shows the loan as coming from Allen himself. But an Allen aide explained that the loan was actually from a bank — taken to cover online donations that have been made to the campaign but have not yet cleared the bank — and that Allen’s name was listed on the form because the loan had to be backed by a person. Allen himself has not actually given any cash to the campaign, the aide said.
“The campaign took out a line of credit to have maximum flexibility to access funds we continue to raise online and through credit card donations,” said Allen spokeswoman Katie Wright. “This race will come down to the wire, the momentum is on our side and we feel good about our position as head into the final weekend.”
One wonders how Kaine and his crew can live with themselves. Has our campaigning gotten to the point where out-right lies are now acceptable?
Given how difficult it is to pass legislation due to how our system of government was devised, Democrats and Republicans must be able to work together. And, with the huge challenges we face, we need men of character and standing serving the interests of the people.
Tim Kaine has proven himself as one willing to stretch the truth. That’s not the Virginia way. As the home of Washington, Jefferson, Henry, Lee, and Madison, Kaine’s behavior is a far cry from that of gentleman statesman. And, certainly, doesn’t show himself to be a man of character.
