Can DNC Backup Foreign Funds Claim?

With less than three weeks until the midterm elections, the Democratic National Committee's new ad "Stealing Democracy" is stirring up some last-minute controversy for Republicans.

On Monday's Washington Unplugged, CBS News' John Dickerson asked the Democratic National Committee's national press secretary Hari Sevugan if the DNC has any proof of outside groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce taking foreign funds.

"We know that the Chamber takes foreign money, we know that they are opposed to candidates who want to end tax loopholes that allow for outsourcing, and we know that they are doing this in secret," Sevugan responded. "All these facts are undisputed."

Sevugan also told Dickerson these charges could be settled by disclosing the sources of these disputed donations and added, "The American people deserve to know who is funding these campaigns. Who are these candidates fighting for?"

So, why not end the controversy and reveal those who are funding the campaigns? Republican strategist Cheri Jacobus told Dickerson Democrats can't have it both ways.

"You can't have a President of the United States who raised and spent an unprecedented amount of money, with all of that secret money coming in from donors that nobody knows anything about and to this day knows anything about," she said.

Sevugan countered, "The Obama campaign followed federal regulations, and everyone over $200 disclosed their contributions. So, we know who's giving. We don't know who's giving to these shadowy groups and these shadowy groups have an agenda."

Dickerson asked Sevugan why the DNC and national Democrats are focusing on this issue with only three weeks left until the midterms, when most Americans want answers on the economy.

"This is central to the economy," Sevugan said. "This is who these candidates are going to fight for...Who's cutting those checks to these candidates matters."

Jacobus disagreed. "The potent issue with jobs right now is that we have a 10 percent unemployment problem," she said. "That is something the American people are alarmed about. The U.S. Chamber supports American businesses and American businesses are the ones that create jobs in this country, not the government. The American people know that. That's why Republicans are doing better in the polls."

To Jacobus, it's a desperate move from a party unhinged. "It looks like one of those things you do when you're very desperate and when you don't want the media to have an opportunity to call you on it," she said.

Watch Monday's Washington Unplugged also featuring a roundtable on West Virginia's senate race with CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder and Charleston Gazette reporter Alison Knezevich.

"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 2:00 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.

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Lauren Seifert is an associate producer for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. For more Washington Unplugged, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

[endurorob_5]

They can't campaign on the issues of the economy, unemployment, healthcare, the stimulus..... so they make something up to try and distract from the real issues.

[endurorob_5]

If they had actual proof they would reveal it.

[rmonroe401]

If the Chamber of Commerce isn't taking money from foreign sources they would show proof. They are just giving the run around. They know they accept the money, so they can't disclose who is financing them. The people who finance them are the ones who are shipping jobs overseas, and they want that to continue. They want Republicans in office so more jobs can be sent overseas to make them richer and richer. Before long this country will become a third world country. But what do they care, they will have all the money and power. And fools like you help them achieve their objective. It is sad what has happened to this country and how easily brainwashed the electorate is. You think you will be part of those in power if you work hard, but they have no plans of including you when the country collapses.

[tsigili]

You can be sure, that any foreign donations to the Dems.....will be taken as well........and indeed, they have sought out of state donations for state level races, themselves.

They are just as dirty, if not more so, in every way.

[RobAla]

Answer: NO, they can't.

[fxr60]

More and more reports( New York times, reporters,etc.) are saying the allegations that the Chamber is receiving foreign money is completely FALSE and is a DESPERATE ploy on Obama and the Democrats. In fact some Democrats are shying away from the lie. There are Chamber of Commerce overseas and that money is kept seperate. They should sue Obama for lying and slander. Papa Soros and the Unions could come to Obama's rescue and bail him out of a lawsuit-they have give him millions!! Or maybe they could find the "missing" 100 million of the stimulus money they said they "can't find" it. What? They did find the missing 18 MILLION and it went to DEAD PEOPLE AND PRISONERS!! Unbelievable!! Can we all say "incompetent"? I think so!!!

[clementw-2009]

I ran acroo this fresh info on several blogs "George Soros: I Can?t Stop Republican ?Avalanche?"

In the face of this avalanche, what other course of action is there except to make a non-issue an issue? Obama going to Delaware to help? or to go to the only ember in a field of ashes after all his blowing has not kindled a single fire?

[bdowder6]

CBS Host - Can you prove the allegations?. White House Advisor David Axelrod, "Can you prove they don't?" - Wow so like a 7 year old, the white house just throws a baseless accusation out there and then responds with that. Wow

[alphaa10000]

GOP HAS A LOT TO HIDE...............................................Wow, indeed. Unlike baseless claims from some GOP bozos about Obama's country of birth, enough is known about foreign sources of GOP funding to raise eyebrows among voters. The difference is evidence-- of which there is a great deal-- even if the GOP is not legally required to disclose it. So, to settle the matter, why not make the information public? To borrow your argument about Obama, what has the GOP to hide? Apparently, a great deal.

[fer60us]

The U.S. Chamber supports American businesses and American businesses are the ones that create jobs in this country, not the government. This is exactly the point of the jobs issue; private companies are not spending and generating jobs, well at least here in the US. If we go by her statement; why is the GOP, Tea Parties and some other folks blaming the government? The government function is to make things easier for the private sector to create jobs but also be sure that they treat their employees fair. Again, if you want to blame somebody you should blame the private sector or is it that maybe they are holding it back? Let's put two and two together... GOP is supported by the rich, businesses (big oil, big everything)... aren't these who supposedly create jobs? Humm. Why are they not creating jobs? Any interest on it?

How long did it take for the GOP to support a meassure that would help small businesses? A meassure that would help to create jobs! Why they don't want to support a meassure that will encourage companies to bring jobs back to the US and not send them overseas?

I hope my fellow citizens open their eyes and see what GOP is doing. They don't care about around 97% of the population, they only want to help the richest 3%; and brainwash the other 27% to get around 30% of the population. The brainwashing is through fear...it worked before and they expect it works again.

What, the other 70%, are we going to do? Sit and wait or go and vote and support our Prez? He really needs our help to stop the party that will only care for the rich and business; as they have done before.