WP: Clark To Return Money He Made From Speeches

[CShine]

Retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark yesterday said he would return payments for several speeches on college campuses, reacting to a Washington Post report that his paid appearances may have violated election laws.

In at least three paid appearances at universities since announcing his candidacy, Clark discussed his presidential campaign and criticized President Bush's Iraq policy. Corporations, unions and universities are prohibited from paying for campaign-related appearances for presidential candidates. The Federal Election Commission considers such payments the same as contributions to the candidate. Several FEC experts said Clark may have violated the election law by talking too much about his campaign and accepting money for the speeches. Clark was paid $30,000 or more for each appearance.

In a statement, Clark's spokesman Mark Fabiani said: "From here on, General Clark will give no more paid speeches. We believe that the paid speeches General Clark delivered . . . were appropriate. Nevertheless, to avoid any distraction from the real issues . . . General Clark has decided to return the payments."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1715-2003Oct9.html

[roguevalley]

1. Good thing to do. By the way, no one has said that he's broken

any laws. Its better to do this than give the
perception that he has and doesn't care. FCC "experts"
are not the same as the FCC. Amazing isn't it? They can
quibble over this while ignoring the fact that the nut
job media corps want to control everything that is
broadcast.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Classy. Very classy. I'm impressed.

He went up a notch in my book with this. Take a personal sacrifice to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Now it's no longer an issue.

However, this thread is "almost" a dupe...posted yesterday from SFgate:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=157205