The Ole End-Around
A GOP candidate for state attorney general calls the old end-around to hold a fundraiser at PSU game that his campaign says isn't a fundraiser.
The Ole End-Around
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
A candidate for the state’s highest law enforcement office is calling the old end-around to hold a fundraiser his campaign says isn’t a fundraiser at a Penn State game Saturday.
The campaign of David Freed, GOP candidate for attorney general, scheduled a tailgate party before the Penn State/Temple game at State College.
The invitation for the event at two parking spaces the north lot outside Beaver Stadium asks for, under “admission information,” a “suggested contribution” of $500 per couple.
Problem is PSU bans politicking in the stadium or its parking lots. Violators are subject to ejection and/or citation (scroll down to page 7). And PSU assistant athletic director Jeff Nelson tells me in an email, “Political campaign fundraisers (are) not permitted in the lots around the stadium.”
So why would someone running to be the state’s top cop seemingly violate or at least skirt the policies of the state’s most recognized university?
Well, because he’s using the ole end-around.
His campaign says the event is not a fundraiser, it’s only a tailgate, that no one has to pay for admission, that no money is being collected (the invitation says send checks to a P.O. box in Harrisburg) and that tailgates have been held for politicians (including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton) at PSU before.
Freed campaign manager Tim Kelly issued a statement saying, “This Saturday Dave Freed, like thousands of other Penn State and Temple fans, is attending a tailgate at Beaver Stadium.
“This is not a fundraising event. No one attending the tailgate is required to contribute to Dave Freed’s campaign.
“We’re grateful to have enthusiastic supporters ready and willing to help elect Dave, but Saturday’s get-together is not a fundraising event.”
So I guess it’s not a fundraiser, eh?
But wait. The campaign of Freed’s opponent, Democrat Kathleen Kane, also issued a statement: “Dave Freed’s lack of judgment in holding a political fundraiser in violation of Penn State’s rules – particularly at this time – raises serious questions about someone who is asking Pennsylvanians to be the state’s chief law enforcement official.”
So, in this period of NFL replacement refs, you make the call.
Is Freed holding a fundraiser? Is his campaign cleverly avoiding the letter of the law but ignoring the spirit of the law? Or is this much ado about nothing?
Mark me down as calling this the ole end-around. But you decide whether or not to throw the flag.
I am throwing the flag on this one. Pennsylvania's next Attorney General needs to beyond reproach. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the Commonwealth, our next AG needs to set an example for Pennsylvanians, and exploiting loopholes for political gain is not the example he/she should be setting. Clearly this is a fundraiser and by saying its just a "tailgate" insults the intelligence of every Pennsylvanian voter, Republican or Democrat. I am a Republican, but will not vote for David Freed!— TannerMcG- Here's the link to the fundraiser. It certainly looks like it's a fundraiser to me. http://www.greenleepartners.com/event.php?eid=4279#eventDetail— Keystone Progress
- Guess the campaign got wind of the backlash...they've already pulled the event from the calendar.
@TannerMcG...agree wholeheartedly. I am a Republican as well but will not vote for a candidate from either party who thinks they don't have to play by the same rules as the people they are supposed to serve (some might say that leaves very little choice among candidates) - WHO CARES...YOU COULDNT FIND ANYTHING BETTER TO REPORT?— mecp22
- I will donate. The check is "in the mail".— oneway
- The person reporting him has probably been supporting Fumo for years.
- wow. what an idiot. Running for Attorney General and he does this stuff. Shameful. I'll be voting for anyone else, for sure. This is just so wrong!!!— thepaguy
- The office doesn't always attract the best, brightest, well-intentioned, or strictly ethical amongst us does it these days? The people of the Commonwealth deserve somebody who has a firm grasp of the job, practical ideas as to how to do more to protect us using less, and a moral/ethical compass that doesn't get thrown spinning in circles whenever campaign cash, the chance of higher office, friends, fellow partisans, or family enter the picture. A public servant is needed rather than a person using the public and office to serve himself. Send the man to political rehab for a few years for a makeover by the next time he runs for office because you know he will.— Tkat
- The office doesn't always attract the best, brightest, well-intentioned, or strictly ethical amongst us does it these days? The people of the Commonwealth deserve somebody who has a firm grasp of the job, practical ideas as to how to do more to protect us using less, and a moral/ethical compass that doesn't get thrown spinning in circles whenever campaign cash, the chance of higher office, friends, fellow partisans, or family enter the picture. A public servant is needed rather than a person using the public and office to serve himself. Send the man to political rehab for a few years for a makeover by the next time he runs for office because you know he will.— Tkat
- The office doesn't always attract the best, brightest, well-intentioned, or strictly ethical amongst us does it these days? The people of the Commonwealth deserve somebody who has a firm grasp of the job, practical ideas as to how to do more to protect us using less, and a moral/ethical compass that doesn't get thrown spinning in circles whenever campaign cash, the chance of higher office, friends, fellow partisans, or family enter the picture. A public servant is needed rather than a person using the public and office to serve himself. Send the man to political rehab for a few years for a makeover by the next time he runs for office because you know he will.— Tkat
- The bigger question is his football judgement - Penn State vs Temple?— Owatagoofiam
- well, if it was ok for Obama & Hillary . . .
of course it's wrong for this guy!
— ekw555 - We took a screenshot because we thought they would try to hide it: www.keystoneprogress.org/blog— Keystone Progress
- Typical politics in Pennsylvania....Greed greed greed....Actually it sounds like a Fast Eddie trick...the lowest political sleeze the city and state has ever seen...— nuggett
- Following in the footsteps of Attorney General Corbett when it comes to questionable judgment.— mportik
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
