Free Republic

A watchdog group wants a federal examination of financial reporting. But the party says it's an attack by a "Franken flunky." A Washington-based government-watchdog organization filed a federal complaint Monday against the Minnesota Republican Party and its former treasurer alleging "multiple, egregious violations" of campaign reporting laws and regulations. The complaint by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) will compel the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) to investigate, said Melanie Sloan, executive director of the nonprofit group. CREW's complaint was based on a confidential memorandum written in February to the state party's executive committee by its former finance director,...

US Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who had hoped to replace George W. Bush as president yesterday, instead sat in the cold and clapped as the Republican began a second four-year term. Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin patted Senator Kerry on the back shortly before the inauguration Senator Kerry had hoped would be his. As Mr Bush delivered his inaugural address, Senator Kerry, about 10m away on the steps of the US Capitol, joined other lawmakers and the crowd in repeated applause. Senator Kerry looked relaxed, at times wistful. He frequently smiled, able to hide any disappointment over what...