February 22, 2010 01:03 AM UTC

Hasan Says Campaign Law Buck Stops with God, Not Bernie Buescher

•  
• by: RedGreen

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

In response to an odd question about potential campaign finance violations at a recent GOP candidate forum, Republican state treasurer candidate (and regular Pols poster!) Ali Hasan said it was the job of God, not government, to enforce Colorado fundraising laws.

Hasan’s invokation of God’s ultimate authority, reported by The Colorado Statesman, came in response to a suggestion a treasurer candidate might funnel personal contributions through acquaintances, which would violate Colorado law.

Both of Hasan’s rivals, Walker Stapleton and J.J. Ament, denied anything of the sort was going on in their campaigns and said it would spell the end of any candidacy pulling such a stunt. Hasan didn’t address whether his campaign was guilty but said the question was moot because the three candidates weren’t Democrats.

Hasan also affirmed a vow of omertà when it comes to ratting out fellow Republicans — he’s no snitch.

Read The Statesman’s account of the strange exchange below the fold.

Fountain City Councilwoman Lois Landgraf read questions submitted by the audience at a recent forum sponsored by the El Paso County Republican Women’s Club. (The Statesman doesn’t say when the event occurred, but the story is in the issue published Friday.)

Landgraf ventured into rocky territory when she read the question, “What would you do if you found out that your opponent was violating ethics by giving people money and asking them to give it back as a campaign donation?”

The candidates looked baffled; members of the audience giggled and whispered throughout the room.

“That is a campaign finance violation and it should be reported to the Secretary of State (Bernie Buescher),” declared Walker.

“It would be a risk that no candidate with integrity (running) for this office would want to be involved with,” he said, but added that if that had occurred, it would be a cause for “celebration” because the offending candidate would likely drop out of the race.

Ament said, “I’d just like say we’re not doing that – we’re working hard for every donation we receive.”

Hasan said that if a fellow candidate had violated campaign finance laws, it would be a matter between that individual and God.

“There are some punishments that God will take care of – not government. So I don’t feel it would be in my place to rat out a fellow Republican,” he explained. [emphasis added]

“This question doesn’t need to be asked. You’ve got three good men running for this office – we’re not Democrats,” asserted Hasan.

The audience burst into laughter and applause.