From NewsMax
Three Israeli security figures said Monday they were duped into taking part in an ad supporting Barack Obama made by the same group that was behind comedian Sarah Silverman’s “Great Schlep.”
Uzi Dayan, a retired army general, and Efraim Halevy, a former Mossad chief, were among eight high-ranking retired members of Israel’s security establishment in a pro-Obama film. Former Mossad agent Yossi Alpher also said he was misled.
The three said they were unaware they were being interviewed for a political campaign and thought they were commenting on the regional strategic affairs that will face the next U.S. president. All insisted they have not endorsed either Obama nor his Republican rival, John McCain.
“This is pure and simple deceit,” said Dayan. “I never expressed support for Obama, his approach or his opinions. I’ve also never expressed support for McCain.”
The eight-minute video, aimed at American Jews, was produced by the Jewish Council for Education and Research. The nonprofit group supports the Democratic presidential candidate, but says it is not connected to Obama’s presidential campaign.
The group is also behind “The Great Schlep” _ a Web site featuring Silverman encouraging young Jews to go to Florida to persuade their grandparents to vote for Obama.
Mik Moore, a co-founder of the political action committee, said the video quoting the Israelis was aimed at “setting the record straight” about Obama’s approach to Israel.
Moore said participants were informed the film makers supported Obama, and the video didn’t claim everyone in it endorsed him. He promised, however, to “address their concerns.”
The video, which includes clips from Obama’s visit to Israel, concludes with a black screen reading: “The people who have kept Israel alive offer you their choice.”
Filed under: Democrats, Ethics, McCain, Media Bias, Obama, Republicans, Sarah Palin
From NewsMax,
Following disclosures by Newsmax of questionable donations to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, CBS News has uncovered two donors who have given a total of $7,722 using fake names.
Fake, that is, unless you believe that Dahsudhu Hdusahfd of Df, Hawaii, and Uadhshgu Hduadh of Dhff, Fla., are legitimate monikers.
Hdusahfd listed his or her employer as CZXVC/ZXVZXV and Hduadh listed DASADA/SAFASE.
Newsweek reported over the weekend that two other Obama donors gave their names as “Doodad Pro” and “Good Will.”
Contributions from Hdusahfd and Hduadh were made beginning July 16 of this year, and Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show the Obama campaign began refunding the donations beginning on Aug. 6.
But “despite numerous refunds from the Obama campaign, Hdusahfd still has a record of giving a total of $7,500 to Obama which is well over the legal limit for the primary and general election of $4,600,” CBS reported.
“Hduadh gave $14,000 but the Obama campaign returned all but $222.”
Obama spokesperson Bill Burton told CBS News in an e-mail: “We constantly review our donors for any issues and while no organization is completely protected from Internet fraud, we will continue to review our fundraising procedures to ensure that we are taking every available step to root out improper contributions.”
The Republican National Committee filed a complaint on Monday charging that the Obama campaign has received illegal contributions from foreigners and donations that exceed federal limits.
The complaint cites a Newsmax article asserting that a database of FEC records “shows questionable overseas donations that contain more than 11,500 contributions totaling more than $33.8 million.”
The New York Times reported on Monday that the questionable donations issue “is being seized upon by the Republicans against the Obama campaign after an article this month on the conservative Web site Newsmax.com highlighted some obviously questionable contributions Mr. Obama had received that far exceeded the $4,600 an individual can contribute.”
