by the Left Coast Rebel

A simple idiom – that a man may be judged by the company that he keeps. For a politician it may be that a man is judged by the contributions that he keeps. In the case of Tom Campbell, former California congressman and GOP nod hopeful for the Senate nod, it is a case of special donations from a jihadist sympathising former college professor Sami Al-Arian. And yes, Tom Campbell may by judged by that contribution (and company) that he kept. Tom Campbell claims that he made a mistake with accepting a jihadist sympathizers donation but claims that it was all for a noble cause – bettering American relations with the Muslim world. Afer that, he then claimed to a different source that he didn’t even receive a donation from Sami Al-Arian. Which one is it, Mr. Campbell?

Can you see through the lies? Does not this story speak volumes to the character, intent and discretion of Tom Campbell? To the proper discernment needed in today’s brave new world? This story speaks volumes for the need a true conservative candidate with the moral fiber and common sense to do the right thing – even when no one is watching.

Please take a look at Chuck DeVore for the United States Senate. A man of principle. A man that knows his Constitution. A man much needed at this time in America and for the people of California.

UPDATED: The Left Coast Rebel received a very cordial note from a source in the Campbell campaign in regards to this Tom Campbell issue and the Al-Arian affair. In the interest of full disclosure and journalistic integrity (since the press won’d do it), I’m giving the floor to this anonymous Campbell camp person by posting his reply to me on this issue:

Thanks for responding.

(LCR) Tom Campbell claims that he made a mistake with accepting a jihadist sympathizers donation but claims that it was all for a noble cause – bettering American relations with the Muslim world. Afer that, he then claimed to a different source that he didn’t even receive a donation from Sami Al-Arian. Which one is it, Mr. Campbell?

The order of events is wrong. Campbell, after visiting Al-Arian’s brother-in-law in prison (as Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde had done), opposed the use of “secret evidence” in immigration proceedings (as George W Bush did) on constitutional grounds. The practice he opposed affected the Muslim community, and for his actions on the matter he received support from the Muslim community.

Tom has always stated straightforwardly that Al-Arian helped raise money from that community for his 2000 campaign. And Campbell has said that he wouldn’t have written that letter opposing Al-Arian’s firing, or associated with Al-Arian, if he had known the things that later came out. That was indeed a mistake.

But as you saw, when Campbell was interviewed by Pejman Yousefzadeh at The New Ledger, he said that he had not received a donation from Al-Arian himself. He wasn’t aware that Al-Arian had donated himself — and Tom contacted Pejman again shortly afterward and corrected his error (reflected in an update in the interview).

In sum, he never said that he accepted a donation from Al-Arian to improve relations with the Muslim world.

Regards,

xxxxx