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Michael Steele, Living Large

By Karen Tumulty | March 29, 2010 | +

The Daily Caller examines the Republican National Committee’s FEC filings, and discovers a few things that are not likely to go over well with GOP donors. Such as:

Once on the ground, FEC filings suggest, Steele travels in style. A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.

UPDATE: RNC Communications Director Doug Heye responds to (but does not exactly deny) several points in the story.:

“We are investigating the expenditure in question. The story willfully and erroneously suggests that the expenditure in question was one belonging to the Chairman. This was a reimbursement made an individual not on committee staff. The Chairman was never at the location in question, he had no knowledge of the expenditure, nor does he find the use of committee funds at such a location at all acceptable. Good reporting would make that distinction crystal clear. The committee has requested that the monies be returned to the committee and that the story be corrected so that it is accurate.”

Regarding the story itself, it is riddled with misleading information and inaccuracies.

1. Steele’s spokesman, Doug Heye, did not deny that such discussions took place, responding that the RNC never had a “plan” to buy a plane. “I don’t know what somebody might have discussed or might not have discussed.” – This was during our off the record conversation Friday, yet the reporter included it on the record.

2. Steele’s office repeatedly refused to explain in specific terms the circumstances of the February charter flights. – This is factually inaccurate. I personally told the reporter on Friday about the specific flights.

3. Steele himself declined numerous interview requests. This is factually inaccurate. Steele himself never declined anything; I did.

4. The piece repeated talks about “Steele’s expenses,” when quite often they are finance/fundraising expenses and not just for the expenditure in question. Though I made a clear distinction with Jonathan, his story fails to do so.

Related Topics: campaign contribution, federal election commission, michael steele, republican national committee, topless nightclub, Uncategorized

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  • gysgt213

    KT-In Steele’s defense California can certainly use the stimulus er, money.

  • gysgt213

    By the way the Teabaggers are getting ripped off too.
    .
    The political action committee behind the Tea Party Express (TPE) — which already has been slammed as inauthentic and corporate-controlled by rival factions in the Tea Party movement — directed almost two thirds of its spending during a recent reporting period back to the Republican consulting firm that created the PAC in the first place.
    .
    Our Country Deserves Better (OCDB) spent around $1.33 million from July through November, according to FEC filings examined by TPMmuckraker. Of that sum, a total of $857,122 went to Sacramento-based GOP political consulting firm Russo, Marsh, and Associates, or people associated with it.
    .
    http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/majority_of_tea_party_groups_spending_went_to_gop.php
    .

  • http://forgottenlord.livejournal.com forgottenlord

    So….are the Republicans trying to make it easy for Dems? I mean, they’re already waaaaay behind in campaign contributions….

  • destor23

    Steele and crew only dropped by Voyeur West Hollywood in order to get directions to get away from there.

  • http://twitter.com/ktumulty Karen Tumulty
  • Friar Tuck

    I think the strategy at this point is to tank the rest of the season in order to get a higher slot in the draft.

  • kbanginmotown

    Any word on whether Steele paid for all of this with the money made from Palin’s clothes? Or, is her wardrobe still at the consignment shop?

  • destor23

    @karen: Now THAT’S news I can use.

  • logicforbipeds

    All that talk during the health care buildup about Nancy Pelosi’s whipping abilities must have struck a chord.

  • nflfoghorn

    “…$1,620.71 [was] spent at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.”
    .
    One thing less enjoyable than lesbian sex, and that’s FAKE lesbian sex.

  • grape_crush

    …discovers a few things that are not likely to go over well with GOP donors…

    The lavish hotels, yes.

    The topless bondage club? Not really, no.

  • nflfoghorn

    Urbandaddy.com? Why not urbanmama.com? Or Countrycousin.com? Just curious.

  • marvyt

    Michael Steele is the gift that keeps giving – if you’re a Democrat.

  • Ivy_B

    Well, you don’t take the bus cross country to get to the club.

    Two knowledgeable sources tell the Daily Caller that RNC chairman Michael Steele “once raised the possibility of using party money to buy a private jet for his travel.”

    “While Steele has not purchased a plane, he continues to charter them. According to federal disclosure records, the RNC spent $17,514 on private aircraft in the month of February alone (as well as $12,691 on limousines during the same period). There are no readily identifiable private plane expenses for Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine in the DNC’s last three months of filings.”

    Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/03/29/steele_considered_buying_private_plane.html#ixzz0jZamzAKF

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    Well, the bondage was for political reasons:
    .
    They needed to hire a sadist to let Republicans know what it felt like to be a Democrat during the Bush regime.
    .
    Where’s Rustyblog when you really need him around (to make fun of him)?

  • http://flounder73.wordpress.com pafro

    Steele himself declined numerous interview requests

    Thankfully the guy does about 20 other interviews a day. I’m sure one or two of the twenty fine, upstanding journalists that will have access to Steele today will risk losing their access and ask him about this.

  • 3xfire3

    Karen,

    When are you going to write about Nancy Pelosi changing to a larger aircraft so she would not have to stop for refueling on her way home to California each weekend? I believe the increased operating cost of the larger jet is around $30,000 per weekend trip. That adds up to approx $1,500,000 of added expense. This is of course paid for by all of us tax payers.

    Funny how you and the rest of the Time writers and all the liberals making post on this site ignore these ridiculous situation when it’s a Democrat spending our money.

    As usual you are all hypocrites. Time = never hold Democrats Accountable.

    It sure would be good for our country if Time and you liberals would hold both Republicans and Democrats accountable. Truth is a virtue most of you don’t posses.

  • pierogielunaire

    All hail King Michael!

  • queencersei

    But how much does he pay to have his hair done? Cause that is really what matters when politicians blow their dole.

  • Ivy_B

    Actually that was written about at the time it happened and the Republicans began screaming. It was debunked with the facts. I’m not going to search it out for you – try teh Google.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    3X,
    Send a link and then we will all know exactly what you are bringing up and then see if it is from a reliable or unreliable source.
    .
    I met one Republican who told me the same thing, but, I have not seen or heard much about it or if other West Coast members of congress (not all of them are Democrats) do something like this.

  • gardener57
  • http://twitter.com/ktumulty Karen Tumulty
  • marvyt

    CBS also covered the story at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/07/eveningnews/main2445668.shtml . Snopes.com also looked into the story and debunked it. A ten second Google search absolutely destroys your rant (as usual).

  • newfreedomblog

    3xfire3:
    .
    Steele is a loose cannon. He has proven it time and time again. He discredits the Republican Party, and all Conservatives.
    .
    Sure Nancy also abuses the priviledge we give her to fly Air Force planes cross-country and spends millions doing it, but Steele is using hard-earned campaign donation money which should be used to elect conservative candidates, not visit “lesbian-themed bondage clubs”.
    .
    I cannot fault Ms Tumulty in this case for reporting on it, I am actually glad she has. I have never been a Michael Steele fan, he is a RINO, not a conservative or a decent Republican.
    .
    I’ve written more of my opinion….
    .
    http://www.newfreedomblog.com/blogging-for-america/lesbian-themed-bondage-clubs-is-michael-steele-crazy-or-what-

  • FlownOver

    Coming soon from the RNC: a new requirement that all expenditures on topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex will be subject to competitive bidding.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    “Baseless and Hypocritical Smear Tactics? In my GOP?
    .
    …it’s more likely than you think”
    Hammerlock, the first one to post said.
    .
    “…Michael Steele… he is a RINO, not a conservative or a decent Republican.

    .

    “He… served as chairman of GOPAC, the political training organization of the Republican party, was a political commentator for Fox News…
    .
    Abortion: Pro-Life
    .
    Gay Marriage: States Rights issue, not Federal.
    .
    Civil Unions: Opposed.
    .
    Gun Control: Opposed
    .
    Global warming: In Exon-Mobil induced denial
    .
    Immigration Reform: Opposed.
    .
    National Security: Supports large expenditures.
    .
    Stimulus package: Opposed.
    .
    Steele’s book, Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda,
    .
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Steele#2006_campaign_for_U.S._Senate
    .
    He only breaks with Republicans on affirmative action.
    This is a RINO?
    .
    BTW: Thank you for being here to make fun of.
    . :)

  • newfreedomblog

    Mr Sartor:
    .
    I really do not understand your obsession with my comments. Do you have some vendetta against anyone who is conservative?
    .
    I guess your objective is to taunt someone into making the same mistake you did yesterday in theatening me with violence. To put me in the “cross-hairs” of your gun. You do not intimadate me what-so-ever. If you seek violence as your means to shout someone down, go for it Mr Sartor.
    .
    Please do continue. I do believe you only add to the information the FBI will use against you. Please, continue with your rants.

  • apr2563

    gunny: evidently Steele was looking for stimulation also.

  • apr2563

    As usual, old story. Hey, didn’t Obama say there are 57 states. Another one of your golden oldies.

  • apr2563

    Newrusty: How is Steele a RINO? He seems to reflect the Rep line pretty well.
    Also, as all of the investigations linked her stated, Pelosi is not abusing her access to Air Force planes. You choose to ignore this. Now Hassert used them more? Were you upset at Denny’s access?

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    “Thank you for being here to make fun of.”
    .
    You, as usual, made baseless statements and, as I said yesterday that, for calling you out on them (not anything to do with a gun since I do not own one and never expressed any interest in owning one).
    .
    3X made a similar statement to yours and I asked him for some specifics since I doubted it.
    .
    3X is not calling the FBI on me or KT.
    .
    You tacked on more misinformation.
    .
    I correct misinformation when I see it being used on the Swamp.
    .
    You attempt to do to others what I and many others do to you, but, a large majority of the time, your information is wrong.
    .
    This is a place for debate.
    .
    The question is, what makes Michael Steel a RINO to you?
    .
    Notice that I didn’t make any personal remarks about you other than your capacity to come up with fake facts or illogical conclusions.
    .
    If “cross hairs” when, also referring to a conservative who posts less after I called him out a few times but is alive and well with no risk of injury to himself (if freeinpa is a he) or his/her loved ones is not even vaguely a threat.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    The question remains within this lawful debate:
    What makes Steel a RINO only to you?

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    Rusty,
    .
    Keep on faking that I have broken some kind of a law and I will call the FBI to have them officially verify that my statements with no believable threat of violence or bodily harm to you or your loved ones is well within my first amendment rights.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    Rusty,
    I did not say “gun” when I referred to cross hairs.
    .
    Be clear when you call the FBI. You don’t want them to know for a fact that you are being a total nut about this.
    .
    Make sure that they have the original text when I said that I called out a few of the conservatives who have put out misinformation when you contact them.
    .
    http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
    .
    Contact them.
    .
    Right now.
    .
    I’m at my phone and I will wait to be told that I have done something wrong.
    .
    If you don’t please drop this thing once and for all since it was, obviously not a reference to actual violence.

  • newfreedomblog

    “3X is not calling the FBI on me or KT.”

    .
    I don’t seem to remember you threatening 3×3, Mr Sartor. Perhaps that is why he does not feel the need to expose you as the threat of violence you have proposed for me.
    .
    Again Mr Sartor, I do not understand your obsession with me or my comments. I do not seem to recollect ever asking you for your comment about any of my comments. I do believe if you read my comment it was directed at 3×3, not you. But, you continually have a desire and an obsession to confront me for some reason when anything you write is not referenced in any of my comments.
    .
    Perhaps you should seek out mental health treatment. They do have a wide array of programs you could benefit by. Take your anger and talk about it with a therapist, I am sure you will feel much better when you do.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    Here is the exchange Rusty is crying about:
    .
    12
    “Thanks for irritating new rusty. It is a worthy pastime.”
    So going out of your way to piss people off in the course of political discourse is a “worthy pastime”?
    No wonder no one in this country can have a useful discussion anymore; everyone treats it like Tupac vs. Biggie.
    sasquatch08
    March 28, 2010
    at 6:45 am
    Reply to this comment
    • 12.1
    Sasquatch,
    Sometimes I think of this as a part of a bipartisan think tank.
    .
    Other times I think of being like the Machine Gun Kelly for the Democrats.
    .
    Freeinpa and Newfreedomblog are just trying p o everybody.
    .
    After a long debate, freeinpa was offline for a week.
    .
    He was going off about the late Senator Moynihan but didn’t know what he was talking about.
    .
    I put back in his place.
    .
    I think he is changing his pastime to watching old movies instead of coming up with random things about Democrats.
    .
    Newfreedomblog/rusty is next in my cross hairs. He is either going to learn to come up with valid explanations for what he says or change his hobby to stamp collecting.
    .
    Yesterday Newfreedomblog was trying to say that Herbert Hoover was a liberal.

    Read more: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/03/27/obama-announces-15-recess-appointments/#ixzz0jaFcf8l4

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    Once the FBI is done telling you in more polite terms that you might want to prefer stamp collecting or even being on exclusively conservative dominated blogs, should you wish to return, please answer my question:
    .
    Why would you consider Michael Steel a RINO?

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    3x,
    For the record, we had an interesting exchange yesterday.
    .
    When well thought out – which is what I find difficult about Freeinpa and Rusty, is that they are not – discussing things with a conservative can be insightful.

  • constantweader

    Alas, Halperin links to a disappointing post by Greg Sargent, who reports that the RNC “has undertaken an investigation in the wake of news that nearly $2,000 in party funds was spent at a bondage-themed club that features topless female dancers imitating lesbian sex…. An RNC spokesperson…adamantly denies that Michael Steele was the party who spent the money at the club and says Steele strongly disavows such actions.”

    I was so hoping for photos.

    The Constant Weader at http://www.RealityChex.com

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    Constant,
    You wouldn’t want to see the pictures.
    The Dominatrix was, actually, Ann Coulter and, worse yet, they got her face into that shot.
    .
    I really don’t recommend it.
    .
    (You know how well politically connected a Democrat working from home is to the Republican Party.)

  • newfreedomblog

    Mr Sartor:
    .
    I will say this one last time to you directly. I have no desire what-so-ever in communicating or debating you here or on any other venue.
    .
    You have made it abundantly clear to me that you wish nothing but ill-will towards me. You have threatened me, and I shall have no other communication with you.
    .
    I do not understand why that is so hard for you to understand. Please leave me alone.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    You’re in a public forum.
    .
    It is well within my first amendment rights here to comment on what you write.
    .
    I will say now if it wasn’t obvious from before that I do not wish to know you in any other setting.
    .
    Don’t like my commenting on what your write on a public forum, then do not write.
    .
    I will tell you that no reasonable person would call anything I said to you a threat.
    .
    I have broken no laws and will stand by my first amendment rights.
    .
    Time has standards stricter than the first amendment.
    .
    If they believe that I have been making discourse more difficult, then they will address me about it.
    .
    They have not and, I believe, will not.
    .
    In the meantime, you can tolerate that I find some of the things you say amusing or factually incorrect.
    .
    I told you before that I have never taken an interest in your newfreedom blog and, if you wish to not see me there, that is fine since I lack interest in being there.
    .
    This is constitution. Welcome to America.

  • sacredh

    $1,620.71 spent at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.

    Set my lesbians free from bondage.
    It’s a civil rights issue that Steele had every right to investigate.

  • 3xfire3

    .I have check with snopes.com and found my post was not totally correct.

    According to snopes.com

    1. Nancy Pelosi did not request a larger jet. Her request was about a jet that could fly non stop to California.

    2. The decision to authorize a larger plane was made by the house sergeant at arms Bill Livingood since the smaller aircraft could not fly to California without stopping to refuel. He stated this was for security purposes.

    3. The request was approved by the White House.

    This still does not change my original comment to Karen as to why her and her partners at Time and the liberals on this site single out republicans for negative coverage but usually give democrats a free pass for their abuses.

    Should we all not be showing a little bit of fairness and open minds on this site. Isn’t it better discussions if we use some balance and truth.

    Jesus said “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.

    If he was on earth today in his human form and made the above comment some liberal would accuse him of being a TEA Party member and of advocating violence.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    3x,
    Why are beating a dead horse!
    .
    It is obvious that this is not a Republican only misuse of funds above.
    .
    Pelosi used the plane less than Hassert.
    .
    Don’t worry, a Democrat will f up within the next few weeks and you can start getting happy about it.
    .
    Nobody said that bad judgment is exclusively a Republican thing.
    .
    Damn!

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    “When I had no health insurance you protested against my health care”
    .
    “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers is what you do unto me.”
    .
    Jesus Christ was a leftist.
    .
    He would never be anything like a Tea Bagger.

  • along1

    OMG KT!!! Congratulations!! I hope it’s an even better gig, and comes with at least 10% more time for family and just basically to enjoy life.

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