‘Blowing Smoke’: Team Obama‘s ’Felon’ Charge Gets Debunked by the Washington Post (3 Pinocchios!)
- Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:01pm by
Becket Adams
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It’s confirmed: the Obama campaign enjoys being publicly ridiculed by the Washington Post’s (WaPo) Fact Checker for its over-the-top dishonesty.
Seriously, this is the only explanation we can come up with for why Team Obama keeps making these patently false and easily refuted claims. And they’re not little fibs either! They’re great big honkin’ lies like “Hey, you know, Romney could be a felon.”
Anyway, it might be safe to assume at this point that the relationship between the Obama campaign and the Fact Checker is, um, strained (to say the least).
This time around, the WaPo’s Glenn Kessler evaluates Team Obama’s aforementioned “Romney is a felon” charge (which we discussed at great length yesterday on The Blaze) and, as it turns out, the Obama campaign has really blown it on this one.
Here’s the claim from Obama campaign counsel member Robert Bauer:
Romney and Bain claim that he was not involved with Bain, but Bain and its portfolio companies in their required filings under the Securities Exchange Act continuously certified to the Securities and Exchange Commission say precisely the opposite — asserting without qualification that he was a controlling person, fully in charge of Bain, under the Federal securities law.
Under normal circumstances, the question of the truth of this representation would result in an investigation by the SEC into possible criminal, as well as civil, violations of the law.
First, as the Fact Checker notes, SEC documents are public. This is real life, not a movie. Just because they’re — gasp! — little-known SEC documents doesn’t mean that they contain a treasure trove of corporate financial secrets.
But let’s cut back a little on the snark for a minute and look at the facts as they’re presented by Kessler:
One of the SEC documents in question that has received attention in recent days is a Form 13D that was posted by Talking Points Memo. A Form13D is filed when an investor or investment group announces that it has acquired more than five percent of the company.
[…]
Romney is not mentioned in the filing … made at the time of the sale; instead, two Bain executives who sat on the board are listed. Romney is listed in the documents involving the investment fund that made the filing, Bain Capital Fund VI, L.P., which was formed prior to his departure for the Olympics.
… One expert examined this document at our request. He suspected that someone had simply duplicated a filing that had been made many times before, though he acknowledged, “it looks inartful in retrospect.” He pointed out that the titles are basically meaningless, that someone can be listed as a chief executive and actually have no responsibilities whatsoever.
But, but, what about it being a felony? As Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter said yesterday, the SEC filings prove Romney was either “misrepresenting his position” at Bain to the SEC, “which is a felony,” or he was “misrepresenting his position at Bain to the American people.”
Again, we turn to Kessler:
The SEC can bring civil charges for discrepancies in filing 13D documents, but as far as we can tell none has ever been brought for someone listing a misleading title. The more common 13D investigation involves a situation in which investors secretly act in collusion to acquire more than five percent of the stock, but fail to disclose that — or if investors do not make a timely disclosure that their holdings have fallen below five percent.
Moreover, there is a five-year statue [sic] of limitations, though the clock could start from when the SEC becomes aware of the matter. But 12 years have passed since the filing in question. Bringing in a federal prosecutor to examine criminal charges is even a bigger stretch.
Huh. Well, how about that?
Still not convinced? How about this Massachusetts Ballot Law Commission report from 2002 that certifies Romney was eligible to run for governor:
To save you some time, we’ll skip to the conclusion of the report, which, by the way, was the result of weeks of testimony and investigations:
The Respondent remained actively employed at Bain Capital until January 1, 1999, at which time he left to take the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
Simply put, an official state investigation found that before he ran for governor, Romney stepped down from managing Bain Capital in 1999.
As always, what’s the bottom line?
The Obama campaign is blowing smoke here.
… the weight of evidence suggests that Romney did in fact end active management of Bain in 1999. He stated that in a federal disclosure form he signed, under threat of criminal penalties. He said he was a “former employee” in a state disclosure form. A state commission concluded 10 years ago that he did, indeed, leave Bain in 1999. Investors in Bain funds were told he was not part of the management team.
The SEC documents, especially the ones Romney signed, do raise some questions. One can certainly argue that because Romney did not fully extricate himself from Bain till after his Olympic sojourn ended, he should bear some responsibility for what happened in that period. But that is an entirely different matter than suggesting that he is a potential criminal.
Kessler awards the “Romney is a felon” claim three Pinocchios, as opposed to four, because “the documents with [Romney's] signature leave some room for inquiry” (personally, we think he’s taking pity on what is starting to look like an increasingly desperate campaign).
We should add that since falsely accusing the former Massachusetts governor of being a potential “felon,” the Romney campaign has demanded an apology from Team Obama (aka team “hopenchange”).
“Don’t hold your breath,” Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey writes, “but do take heart — if this is all they have left in July, Team Obama is completely out of gas.”
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Comments (76)
markinhawaii
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:24pmIt takes a person with Integrity, High moral standards and values to admit they are wrong. Obama has none of these in or out of an election year.
Report Post »It’s not in him to “Shoot straight” with the American people,himself or any other living creature on earth.
People have to earn respect. it takes great courage and admiration for someone to trust.
Romney isn’t liked(or loved) by allot of people which is a good thing in my book. He needs to have the vision of where America needs to get back to in the worlds standings. Not bow to other leaders showing weakness like Obama has in the past. America is great we have nothing to apologize for.
Romney isn’t Reagan, but he has working experience, the vision of where we need to be. Obama has zero experience in the working world, It’s sad to say but 95% this has more experience than Obama to run this country, because you have have worked, knows what it means to live with a budget, be it $400.00 a week or 400 Million a day. Obama never has, he has zero qualification.
I’m ashamed of American people, the ones who think the way Obama does and the ones who don’t say anything in opposition to it.
Sad but true, America has become soft, liberalized and waiting on a handout.
Get your intestinal fortitude back and go find work, stop waiting on the Government to hand you something. People made America great not the Government.
One last thing,it wasn’t a big deal when the rich John Kerry was running for President. Why does it matte
HKS
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:55pmObama’s new champagne slogan, NO WORK, NO PAY NO MORE” Its time for a free for all. No more requirements that you have to earn your way. Is this a great country or what, FREE STUFF, from Obama.
Report Post »sophillyjimmy
Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:39pmHKS, nothing is free in life and in Obama’s case you pay for all of his handouts with your vote come November, the only votes he will get that he doesn’t have to pay for is those that are dead and he will get more dead peoples votes that are buried in a Chinese cemetary.
Report Post »Landon410
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:14pmyea, but the million voters he lost because of this he made up for with his illegal aliens, and now buying more votes putting more people on welfare
Report Post »Cajun Tea
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:13pmIt’s because someone is black! Thats always the libs answer!
Report Post »lisa2994
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:10pmIt will be nice when he does release his tax records and it turns out as per usual he did nothing wrong.. I for one cannot wait to see what liberals etc come up with next? President Obama however can have all the skeletons he wants in his closet and doesn’t have to let them out!
Report Post »sophillyjimmy
Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:43pmYou are so right Lisa, it is shocking that the Washington Post is showing all the lies and inuendo’s Obama is telling about Romney since the WP is one of the most liberal newspapers in the Country
Report Post »rockerdave
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:00pmHa ha! These chicago thugs that run the obama regime’s campaign are more desperate than an heroin addict looking for a fix. Maybe Dumbie Was-a-man Schlitz,, the dem plantation head propaganda spewer , and the regime will tell us more bs soon. Lol these people are their own worst enemy!
Report Post »762x51
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:40pmThe four defining characteristics of Comrade Charmian Obama are that he is a liar, a cheat, a thief and a great teleprompter reader.
Why would the lies emanating from his campaign surprise anyone?
Report Post »matinva
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:07pmWhat a surprise!! Barry and his merry band of nitwits have been blowing smoke! Who knew?
Report Post »kevymac
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:00pmThese left wing liberal communists find it hard to believe that there are millions of White, Male Americans who actually live a life of self responsibility, devotion to their creator and family who respect and uphold the laws of the country, actually work for a living while also contributing to the welfare of the less fortunate amongst us.
They find it inconceivable that we actually exist because throughout their lives they have cohabitated within their own confines and comarades.
Report Post »Serenabit
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:55pmThere is absolutely no evidence to prove that President Obama and the first lady are not hermaphrodites.
The above statement is equally as true as “There is no proof that Governor Romney is not a felon.” If Democrats insist on running their campaign for the highest office in the land in such a demeaning fashion, they are proving their contempt for the office as well as the Constitutional Republic.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:03pm“But a Boston Globe article on Thursday raised new questions about that timeline, citing SEC filings, and the Obama campaign jumped to take advantage of it.” Yo Becket … way to go on pointing out the truth regarding the source of the story. How’s that Christian principle of truth working in your life.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:08pmThat would explain the shoddy transgender work of Valerie Jarret.
Report Post »sophillyjimmy
Posted on July 15, 2012 at 11:50pmSerenabit, that is true but there are allegations going around that Obama is bisexual Larry Sinclair admitted to performng oral sex on Obama in the back of a limo while they were both doing cocaine that was supplied by Obama then they took their romp into a hotel room, I wonder if Michelle mentions it to Barry or compare going all the way down like Barry told the fanoiks at his fundraiser.
Report Post »LibertyGoddess
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:50pmHere’s my two cents for the day:
Bain Capital, starting with one small office supply store in Massachusetts, turned it into Staples; now over 2,000 stores employing 90,000 people.
Bain Capital also worked to perform the same kinds of business miracles again and again, with companies like Domino’s, Sealy, Brookstone, Weather Channel, Burger King, Warner Music Group, Dollarama, Home Depot Supply, and many others.
He was an unpaid volunteer campaign worker for his dad’s gubernatorial campaign 1 year.
He was an unpaid intern in his dad‘s governor’s office for eight years.
He was an unpaid bishop and stake president of his church for ten years.
He was an unpaid President of the Salt Lake Olympic Committee for three years.
He took no salary and was the unpaid Governor of Massachusetts for four years.
He gave his entire inheritance from his father to charity.
Mitt Romney is one of the wealthiest self-made men in our country but has given more back to its citizens in terms of money, service and time than most men.
And in 2011 Mitt Romney gave over $4 million to charity, almost 19% of his income…. Just for comparison purposes, Obama gave 1% and Joe Biden gave $300 or .0013%.
Mitt Romney is Trustworthy:
He will show us his birth certificate
He will show us his high school and college transcripts.
He will show us his social security card.
He will show us his law degree.
He will show us his draft notice.
He will show us his medic
Report Post »LibertyGoddess
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:07pmHe will show us his income tax records.
He will show us he has nothing to hide.
Mitt Romney’s background, experience and trustworthiness show him to be a great leader and an excellent citizen for President of the United States.
You may think that Romney may not be the best representative the Republicans could have selected. At least I know what religion he is, and that he won’t desecrate the flag, bow down to foreign powers, or practice fiscal irresponsibility. I know he has the ability to turn this financial debacle that the current regime has gotten us into. We won’t like all the things necessary to recover from this debt, but someone with Romney’s background can do it. But, on the minus side, He never was a “Community Organizer”, never took drugs or smoked pot, never got drunk, did not associate with communists or terrorists, nor did he attend a church whose pastor called for God to damn the US.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:25pm;^> You are a Goddess !
Now, can you -please- get into the minds of the clueless? >please
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:47pmif this wasn’t so absurd and slanderous to a man who by all appearances has lived a very devout prosperous life, it would be laughable. the fact obama’s team calls any one else a crook goes to show how deeply mentally ill these lefties are.
Report Post »no_more_harkin
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:40pmRomney COULD have killed people, we just don’t know. He MAY have molested children… again we just don’t know. He MIGHT have been involved in multiple terrorist plots against Planned Parenthood and the Sierra Club, … we just don‘t know but it’s possible.
The left; the soulless subhumans of the USA.
Report Post »adastra2005
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:01pmWorry not. Team Obama is gearing up to insinuate all you mentioned. Did you kino that Romney could have been on the grassy knoll on 11/22/62 … we just don’t know.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:15pmIf we knew Barry‘s true identity we might find he has many felony charges we just don’t know.
Report Post »jrcess
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:38pmWhy does O bama’s SS# show he was born 30 years prior to his birth? This guy is a fraud!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:32pmBlowing smoke indeed, though there will be some people influenced into believing their lies. The other question is, what have the Team Obama Traitors been smoking with Obama? And why do they keep giving so much to Pelosi?
Report Post »FREDD The WILSON
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:32pmThe Obama campaign is NOT out of gas. They have plenty. It’s called flatulence. Obama must think their supporters still live on his every word.Obama, another reason to abolish Affirmative Action
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:30pmWell, the short version of that is what I was trying to tell Encinom, but my reply would not go through.
Ms Adams suggests that the Obama campaign enjoys being ridiculed by the Washington Post (which is not known for its right wing leanings), and says “..this is the only explanation we can come up with..”.
I have another possible explanation: They are following one of Mr Goebbels’ strategies when he said if you throw enough mud, some of it will stick.
I don’t believe that we are dealing with honourable men.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:38pmMR Adams.
Please accept my humblest apologies, Mr Adams. It is 4:30 am here and your tomorrow (we live next to the dateline), and well past time for me to be in bed asleep.
Goodnight all.
Report Post »Jasonsaveourcountry
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 1:09pmObama’s main experience was a community organizer in Chicago, using Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. One of Alinsky’s tactics is to identify a target, freeze it, and attack it. Obama has been on the attack since 2008 to divide and conquer each segment of our society. His attacks on Romney will become more intense as election day arrives.
Google Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals to see all the other tactics and rules he has been using to disorganize our country. Obama promised CHANGE with no definition. Alinsky defined change as disorganization of the old and organization of the new.
“Obama learned his lesson well. I am proud to see that my father’s model for organizing is being applied successfully beyond local community organizing to affect the Democratic campaign in 2008. It is a fine tribute to Saul Alinsky as we approach his 100th birthday.” –Letter from L. DAVID ALINSKY, son of Neo-Marxist Saul Alinsky.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:30pmAnd I believe that you are 100% correct. And in our White House ?!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:27pmYou could give his whole presidency 4 Pinocchios, if that’s the maximum.
Report Post »smokeysmoke
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:38pmwhen did SLANDER, not be a crime anymore… i thought to take a public figure, and lie about their record… saying that they committted crimes that they did not…. this info is public knowledge, but to push make believe info as fact,, IS SLANDER… A CRIME… so to accuse romney of being a felon… OBAMA COMMITTED A CRIMINAL ACT OF SLANDARING… which is another way of saying…. A MALICIOUS LIE
Report Post »blackbean
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:23pmO’s desperation knows no bounds. Liar in chief fits.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:22pmDon’t miss this IMPORTANT STORY –
‘Obama administration guts work requirements for Clinton-era welfare reform’
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/13/obama-administration-guts-work-requirements-for-clinton-era-welfare-reform/
‘Yesterday the Obama administration gutted those federal work rules, ignoring the will of Congress by issuing a policy directive that allows the Department of Health and Human Services to waive the work requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. “The result is the end of welfare reform,” wrote Robert Rector and Kiki Bradley of The Heritage Foundation.’
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:36pmDoes that mean mo free ****
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:48pm@Tri-ox
Thanks for the link.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:20pmThese libs are throwing anything and everything out there at the wall to keep people talking about worthless crap and keep the heat off themselves, and it’s working. Look at Fox News, they are milking the hell out of bain capitol non-sense. It’s a shame fox is falling for this.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:16pmWonder where the Obamas will be relocating to next January?
Sections of Chicago sure can use some change by community organizing.
And since so many “folks are hungry”, planting gardens in the food deserts could provide jobs and healthy food and educate children about nutrition.
…Michelle in her straw hat; moving bags of dirt and sacks of seeds… waiving her arms, smiling…, saying, Come on “folks” , “Let’s Move!”, “to one who is given much, much is expected” !
>That Hyde Park house purchase was an excellent Obama plan.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:15pmJust as I was almost finished reading the article, Rush came on shouting about Romney leaving Bain didn’t amount to a hill of beans. What Romney did with his money and his business is none of their business. I agree with this unless he had actually violated any SEC rules, and it looks as though he never did that. 0bama has no real successes to stand on while in office. He has helped put more people out of work than a 100 Romneys with a 100 Bain Capitols. They have to stretch these lies to the point that they are a thin and near transparent as a stretched condom. Since they keep getting caught they might consider giving it up. This crap is only believed by their slobbering base.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:44pmHi RJJ,
I heard that too. Did you hear Rush say that Obama signed an EO yesterday sating that people on welfare no longer have to look for work in order to collect welfare?
I wanted to go to WH.gov to look at it but I’m too fearful of visiting that site. : (
I hope Drudge or the Blaze do a story on it.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:47pmHi RJJ,
Looks like Tri-Ox has a link to it above….
Report Post »barber2
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 2:25pmAmazing how much time the Obama people spend investigating banks, corporations, and Republicans. Fast and Furious for sure.
Report Post »Just_Us
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:14pmThere is more evidence that Obama is a flaming **** than Romney is a felon.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:12pmRemember Goebbels ? Remember that propaganda wizard ? The Obama campaign people are NOT concerned with telling the truth or with being criticized for not telling the truth. The Obama Far Lefties follow the Goebbels model : tell Big Lies. Repeat them. Over and Over. Use the media. Over and Over. Soon, all of the little “ dummies” out there begin to believe the Lies because they have heard those Lies. Over and Over. Use Freedom of Speech to tell Big Lies. Over and over….
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:22pmGo with Edward L. Bernays, from Woodrow Wilson’s administration. Comparing this to Goebbels will just rile the trolls to accuse of comparing 0bama to Hitler again. Although Goebbels learned by studying Bernays.
Report Post »Hmmmm, LOL, to heck with it, irritating the trolls will make for fun anyway.
ITSJESTTIM
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:39pmbarber2
Rest assured that my diametrically opposed evil twin brother is still stuck playing in the quagmires of Gog and Magog.
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:03pmOWS also fact checked it and gave the story, 4 tent rapes, and 5 pooped on Cop Cars. Although they did give Romney a 2 finger salute.
Report Post »OhioRifleman
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:12pmAnd from the rest of the nation, not a single flying squirrel **** was given this day.
Report Post »OhioRifleman
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:14pmI hereby award the OWS one Full Moon Salute for being completely irrelevant and useless.
Report Post »RANGER1965
Posted on July 13, 2012 at 12:18pmLol
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