Earlier in the day, we dug into the finances of state Rep. Michael Jackson, a Democrat-turned-Independent who is running against newly-minted Democratic Rep. Don Cazayoux in Louisiana. We reported that Jackson received a surprising $500 contribution from North Carolina Democratic Rep. G.K. Butterfield, and asked the pertinent question: “what gives?”
Nathan Gonzales of Roll Call picks up where we left off:
After Jackson announced his Independent candidacy, Butterfield donated $500 to his campaign on July 26, after meeting the Louisiana legislator at a Congressional Black Caucus event. The contribution appeared on pre-primary Federal Election Commission reports filed nearly a month ago but went unnoticed until Swing State Project, a Democratic blog, pointed it out Wednesday morning.
“It was a mistake,” said Butterfield’s communications director, Ken Willis. “[Jackson] was just introduced at the CBC event as a Congressional candidate.” Apparently, Butterfield did not realize that his contribution was for the general election and that Jackson was running as an Independent against a Democratic incumbent.
“If [Butterfield] had known it would be for the general election, he wouldn’t have done it,” Willis added. “He didn’t want to do anything to hurt the party.”
Why Jackson was allowed into a CBC event two weeks after he filed as an Independent is beyond me, but it appears that Mr. Butterfield made an honest mistake — and I think that we can take him for his word on this one. If I were him, though, I’d respectfully ask for my money back.
I like Butterfield though and he’s been an awesome surrogate for Obama so I can let it slide.
btw if anyone wants a good laugh, turn on CNN. Jack Cafferty and Gloria Borger are absolutely ripping McCain to shreds for this new stunt he’s pulling. The MSM ain’t buying it.
1. What candidate was Michael Jackson introduced as?
2. Why (if any) was there a communication flap? Was it due to a lack of interpreters that Mr Rangel has expertise in claiming?
I was pretty critical of him earlier today, so I’ll buy this, and let him get back to the more important job of turning out the eastern North Carolina vote for Obama, Bev Purdue, and Kay Hagan.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/…
if, as is likely, Jackson won’t return the money.
would be to give twice as much to Don Cazayoux.
Mistakes happen. I appreciate that Butterfield publicly recognizes party solidarity. No hard feelings from me toward him.