GOP eyes legal challenges as Harris assumes control of Biden's war chest

[Mme. Defarge]

Within hours of Biden announcing his decision, the committee tried to make the handoff to Harris official — submitting an amended filing to the FEC changing its name to “Harris for President.”
Several campaign finance lawyers aligned with Republicans argue that the campaign does not have legal authority to do that — and that the maneuver is all but certain to be challenged before the FEC or in a court of law.

Charlie Spies, a prominent GOP campaign finance lawyer, said that both Biden and Harris would have to have been officially nominated by the Democratic Party at its convention next month before any kind of handoff could occur. In that situation, he noted, a provision in campaign finance law allows a vice-presidential nominee to take control of the campaign’s depository if the presidential nominee withdraws.

“Biden can’t transfer his money to Harris because it was raised under his own name, and there is no legal mechanism for it to have been raised jointly with Harris before they were their party’s nominees,” said Spies, who advised the Republican National Committee before stepping down from that role earlier this year.

https://wapo.st/3Sh6OKI

Ugh! Somebody please talk me down. Regardless of which side prevails, there could be a long delay.

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Your fears are warranted, constitutional and legality

No longer apply with a corrupt Supreme Court.

If they pull off this violation of the law this would be something that we would have to be prepared to respond to in ways that would shut the country down.

[lees1975]

13. I'm not sure the supreme court would have standing to get involved.

Election laws are state laws. State courts would determine whether the lawsuits would even be valid. From what I've read and seen, it's not likely the court would even accept such a lawsuit since the Democrats have not chosen a nominee yet, and can pick anyone they want until the deadlines pass.

Biden and Harris campaign on the same ticket, out of the same campaign fund. Donations to him are also donations to her. Whatever is in the campaign account, plus any PAC she is free to use. To challenge something, there has to be a legal basis on which to file a charge. I've heard three attorneys, including Joyce Vance, say there's nothing to hang a charge on in either case.

[Eliot Rosewater]

14. If there is any way they can say there is standing, they will. This SC or 5 of them at least

dont care at all about the actual laws or Constitution.

But if you are a legal person you can expand on this and answer this please, since election laws are state, is there NO WAY for it to be referred to the SC and what about corrupt judges at state level?

[madaboutharry]

2. I think the GOP finance lawyers are full of shit.

The donations were made to the Biden/Harris campaign. Donors gave the money to her as well as she was an equal part of the ticket.
If they proceed with filing lawsuits they should be dispensed with in short order. I am confident of that. I am not particularly afraid of the SC.

[Freethinker65]

3. Have they asked for the long form of her birth certificate?

The money raised wouldn't sit unused. Perhaps some donors might have "standing" to request their money back? Pretty sure the RNC didn't contribute a dime to the Biden campaign (like Trump did for Harris as prosecutor years ago), but it would be kinda fun if they did.

[JohnSJ]

4. They will try to keep her off some state ballots. As long as we meet the deadline, they have

no case, which is what a virtual convention is necessary ASAP

[madaboutharry]

8. FWIW, Marc Elias has stated:

"Kamala Harris will appear on the ballots in all 50 states." I take him at his word.

[JohnSJ]

12. Good

[Eliot Rosewater]

15. But do the corrupt judges care about the law?

[unblock]

5. Not sure if the case has merit; but, worst case, we the money can still be used

Maybe there will be some limitation such as the money can't be used to explicitly say vote for Harris, but the money could be used on issue ads or anti-trump ads.

Mostly it's a delay and distraction. Even if they win, the money will be put to good use helping Harris one way or another.

[Eliot Rosewater]

16. If they take the money, illegally of course, anyway if they do, it will come in in droves...

I am not worried about the money...I am worried about corrupt judges inventing law to keep her off the ballots.

[unblock]

17. Well the real problem is the house

They will invent chaos and fraud to justify refusing to count enough electoral votes properly then vote to install Dementia Donnie.

[Eliot Rosewater]

18. Yep, it is a given they will do this. That is why they must be put on notice now that if they do

it will be considered a civil war. We will have no other choice.

[BootinUp]

6. Sounds plausible sorry? IANAL

[C_U_L8R]

7. They should mind their own business

considering the rampant corruption across so many GOP campaigns.

[magicarpet]

9. trDUMP will file a lawsuit against this cash horde to be reimbursed for the Biden

... scam to fraudulently deplete the Orange Menace's reserve funds for the 2024 election.

trDUMP's contention will be Biden never intended to seek a second term. But only to sqander trDUMP's funds - then bow-out & head for the hills.

[4139]

10. For Harris, it's fine, however, someone else gets the nomination that money is gone

[onecaliberal]

11. Zero basis for legal challenge.

Marc E. Elias
@marceelias
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Before the media gets rolling, let me be clear: The Democratic nominee for president will be on all 50 state ballots. There is no basis for any legal challenge. Period.
11:21 AM · Jul 21, 2024
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