All in the Family – “Christian Activist” files FEC Complaint on ICA
Nathan Greene
2 Comments
By Emily Geiger
Several weeks ago, I heard Stacey Cargill call into either Mickelson or Deace (I think it was Mickelson), not give her last name, and make accusations against Steve Scheffler and the Iowa Christian Alliance. The allegations were basically that Scheffler had let Marlene Elwell, one of the people influential in getting Scheffler involved in conservative political advocacy several years ago, use some office space in the ICA offices. Ms. Elwell then took it upon herself to make some pro-Romney calls to some Christian advocates, who then let Stacey know about the calls. Stacey alleged that Elwell was given access to the ICA phone list database.
Someone must have heard this and called Scheffler. Next thing you know, Scheffler calls in and explains what happened. It sounds like Elwell took advantage of the friendship, and Scheffler had no idea that Elwell had made pro-Romney calls from the ICA offices. He only found out about it after the fact. Further, he categorically denied that he ever gave access to the ICA database to Elwell. From what I know about Scheffler, I don’t think he’d do that, and I don’t think he’d do that for Romney. When he found out what was going on, he told Elwell she was no longer welcome to use ICA facilities.
Now, Cargill has taken these accusations of hers and filed an FEC complaint.
Here’s what I don’t get: Stacey Cargill’s mother is Barb Taylor, who is on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Christian Alliance. Don’t get me wrong, I loath Rombot more than just about anybody, but couldn’t this have been handled by the Board? Now Cargill, who claims to be a Christian conservative activist, is forcing ICA to use its precious funds to pay lawyers to fight an FEC complaint.
According to some TV news reports, Cargill is claiming that the Romney Campaign gave money to ICA. Um… newsflash: lots of campaigns give money to ICA. It’s usually only newsworthy when one doesn’t. How is that a big deal?
Maybe Stacey should have been more concerned about choosing to support a candidate with who actually had a good record on the life issue, instead of John McCain, who I heard her call in to talk radio and shill for on another occasion. What’s his lifetime pro-life rating again? Oh yeah, it’s something like 63%. Great pick, Stacey! Sounds like you’ve got a great track record for helping the conservative cause. With friends like this, who needs enemies?
Reader Comments (2)
Mitt Romney was for abortion, before he was against it, before he was for it, and then against it. ICA is a non-profit, tax exempt organization that is not permitted to campaign for or endorse political candidates. It appears to have violated the law by using its telephones, paid for by donations to their tax exempt organization, to further the campaign of Mitt Romney. That is not only unethical, but illegal, and a violation of their tax exempt status if proven true. Shouldn't Christians and Christian organizations obey the law?
Sounds to me like the real villains here are the law breakers, not the person who has exposed their sin and illegality.
I'm just being honest ...
One more thing. When a campaign gives money to a tax exempt-charitable organization (if that is indeed true) and then gets services in exchange for it, (i.e. quid pro quo) that is a very big no-no. That's why they have tax exempt limits on political campaign activity in the first place, to prevent that kind of activty by tax exempt organizations.