Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Independent Presidential Campaign and Super PAC Face Allegations of Collusion on Ballot Access Effort Violating Federal Campaign Finance Laws by DNC

Georgia, United States United States of America
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent presidential campaign and the super PAC supporting him are facing allegations of collusion on a ballot access effort in violation of federal campaign finance laws by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
The DNC claims that American Values 2024, a super PAC backing Kennedy's candidacy, is coordinating its activity with his campaign. This includes submitting draft signature petitions for state approval and turning them into completed forms to get Kennedy on the ballot in at least seven states including swing states like Georgia, Arizona and Michigan.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Independent Presidential Campaign and Super PAC Face Allegations of Collusion on Ballot Access Effort Violating Federal Campaign Finance Laws by DNC

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent presidential campaign and the super PAC supporting him are facing allegations of collusion on a ballot access effort in violation of federal campaign finance laws by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The DNC claims that American Values 2024, a super PAC backing Kennedy's candidacy, is coordinating its activity with his campaign. This includes submitting draft signature petitions for state approval and turning them into completed forms to get Kennedy on the ballot in at least seven states including swing states like Georgia, Arizona and Michigan.


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Confidence

70%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if there was any actual coordination between Kennedy's campaign and American Values 2024.
  • The DNC has not provided evidence to support their claims of collusion.

Sources

80%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

DNC accuses RFK Jr. campaign and super PAC of colluding on ballot access effort

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Cristina Corujo Saturday, 10 February 2024 07:26
  • Unique Points
    • The DNC complaint alleges that the super PAC is coordinating its activity with Mr. Kennedy and his campaign in violation of federal campaign finance laws.
    • American Values 2024 plans to narrow its ballot access campaign to seven states including swing states like Georgia, Arizona and Michigan. The plan aims to create a scenario where no candidate reaches the 270 electoral votes, allowing Kennedy a chance at winning in a contingent election.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the DNC has filed a Federal Election Commission complaint against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign and super PAC supporting him on allegations of collusion for ballot access efforts without providing any evidence or citation to support this claim.
    • The article states, 'On Dec. 5, super PAC American Values 2024 announced it would invest $10 million to $15 million in ballot access, with the aim of getting Kennedy on the ballot in at least 10 states.' However, there is no evidence or citation provided to support this claim.
    • The article also states that 'In previous conversations with CBS News, both the super PAC and the Kennedy campaign have said that they have legal experts guiding them through the process, and both are pursuing ballot access separately.' This statement implies an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that these sources are reliable without providing any evidence or citation to support this claim.
  • Bias (85%)
    The article accuses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign and super PAC of colluding on ballot access efforts. The DNC claims that the super PAC is coordinating its activity with Mr. Kennedy's campaign in a way that violates federal campaign finance laws.
    • > On Dec 5, American Values 2024 announced it would invest $10 million to $15 million in ballot access, with the aim of getting Kennedy on the ballot in at least 10 states. <br> > In previous conversations with CBS News, both the super PAC and the Kennedy campaign have said that they have legal experts guiding them through the process.
      • The DNC complaint alleges that American Values 2024 is coordinating its activity with Mr. Kennedy's campaign in a way that violates federal election law.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        The article by Cristina Corujo accuses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign and super PAC of colluding on a ballot access effort that received $15 million in funding.
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          The author Cristina Corujo has a conflict of interest on the topics Democratic National Committee and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

          74%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          D.N.C. Files Federal Election Complaint Against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

          The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Neil Vigdor Friday, 09 February 2024 20:57
          • Unique Points
            • The Democratic National Committee (D.N.C.) filed a federal election complaint against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
            • Mr. Kennedy is accused of illegally coordinating with the super PAC American Values 2024 on a $15 million petition drive to qualify him for the ballot in several states that could be critical to President Biden's re-election
            • The DNC alleges this arrangement violated federal campaign finance laws and breached long-established financial barriers between candidates and outside groups.
            • Mr. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer known for his anti-vaccine activism and promotion of conspiracy theories, joined the race last spring as a challenger for the Democratic nomination against Mr. Biden but abandoned the path in the fall to run as an independent.
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (50%)
            The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'illegally coordinating with a super PAC to get him onto the ballot' and 'subvert our election laws'. These statements are not supported by any evidence presented in the article and are intended to manipulate readers into believing that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is doing something wrong.
            • The author uses sensationalist language such as 'illegally coordinating with a super PAC to get him onto the ballot' and 'subvert our election laws'. These statements are not supported by any evidence presented in the article and are intended to manipulate readers into believing that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is doing something wrong.
            • The author quotes Lis Smith, a senior adviser to the D.N.C., saying 'This is an effort to subvert our election laws and prop up a stalking horse in R.F.K Jr.' without providing any evidence of this claim.
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (85%)
            The author of the article is Neil Vigdor and he has a history of bias. The title mentions that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, has been accused by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of illegally coordinating with a super PAC to get him onto the ballot in several states that could be crucial to President Biden's re-election prospects.
            • The title mentions Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, has been accused by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of illegally coordinating with a super PAC to get him onto the ballot in several states that could be crucial to President Biden's re-election prospects.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              The author of the article has a conflict of interest on several topics related to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential bid.
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential bid as he is an active participant in American Values 2024 and may have personal or professional ties to him.

                76%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Democrats step up legal action against RFK Jr. allies — signaling worry over the independent candidate

                Politico News Site Name: POLITICO Full Legal Name of News Site: Politico LLC Location of News Site: Washington D.C., USA Friday, 09 February 2024 00:00
                • Unique Points
                  • The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has filed a complaint against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign, alleging that American Values 2024, the PAC supporting his independent candidacy, is illegally coordinating with his campaign to get him on additional state ballots.
                  • American Values 2024 plans to narrow its ballot access campaign to seven states including swing states like Georgia, Arizona and Michigan. The plan aims to create a scenario where no candidate reaches the 270 electoral votes, allowing Kennedy a chance at winning in a contingent election.
                • Accuracy
                  • The DNC complaint mentions that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' super PAC was blocked from providing his campaign with signatories contact information as precedent for why Kennedy Jr.'s efforts are illegal.
                • Deception (50%)
                  The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it falsely states that the DNC has filed a complaint against Kennedy with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) when no such complaint exists. The only mention of a complaint is from an anonymous source who claims to have seen one. Secondly, the article misrepresents American Values 2024's signature-gathering effort as an in-kind contribution which violates federal election law, but there is no evidence presented to support this claim. Thirdly, the article quotes a senior adviser for the DNC dismissing concerns about polling showing Biden losing to former President Donald Trump or renewed fears about his age when these were not mentioned in the complaint filed by American Values 2024. Lastly, the article misrepresents Tony Lyons' statement as him denying that Kennedy received any signatures from American Values 2024 when he actually stated that they had yet to receive any signatures.
                  • Ramsey Reid dismissed concerns about polling showing Biden losing to former President Donald Trump or renewed fears about his age.
                  • The DNC is going after the push to get Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name on the ballot in more than a dozen states by alleging his allies' latest efforts violate federal election law
                  • The DNC official filed a complaint against Kennedy with the Federal Election Commission on Friday claiming that American Values 2024 is illegally coordinating with his campaign
                  • American Values 2024 planned to narrow its ballot access campaign to seven states, including swing states like Georgia, Arizona and Michigan.
                • Fallacies (70%)
                  The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the DNC claims that American Values PAC's signature-gathering effort amounts to an in-kind contribution and violates federal election law. This claim is not supported by any evidence or legal precedent, making it a weak argument. Additionally, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric when Ramsey Reid describes Trump as a
                  • The DNC claims that American Values PAC's signature-gathering effort amounts to an in-kind contribution and violates federal election law.
                  • <br>Ramsey Reid, a senior adviser at the DNC said. <br><i>It’s pretty clear that Trump and his megadonors are propping up RFK Jr. as a stalking horse.</i>
                • Bias (80%)
                  The article is biased towards the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and their efforts to prevent Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent candidacy in the 2024 presidential race. The DNC alleges that American Values PAC, a super PAC supporting Kennedy's campaign, is illegally coordinating with his campaign to get him on additional state ballots by putting $15 million into a signature-gathering effort. This amounts to an in-kind contribution according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The DNC also mentions that this complaint signals their concerns about Kennedy's presence in the race and their belief that he may siphon votes away from President Joe Biden. However, it is important to note that the FEC is evenly divided among the two major parties and frequently deadlocks on enforcement questions.
                  • Ramsey Reid, a senior adviser at the DNC said. “It’s pretty clear that Trump and his megadonors are propping up RFK Jr. as a stalking horse.”
                    • The American Values PAC called the DNC's complaint a “desperate” attempt to keep Kennedy out of the race and “drain his campaign funds.”
                      • The DNC officially filed a complaint against Kennedy with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) claiming that American Values 2024 — the PAC supporting Kennedy ’ is illegally coordinating with his campaign to get him on additional state ballots.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication

                      80%

                      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                      DNC alleges RFK Jr. campaign illegally coordinated with outside group on signature gathering operation

                      CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Aaron Pellish, Friday, 09 February 2024 18:23
                      • Unique Points
                        • The DNC filed a Federal Election Commission complaint against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign on Friday, alleging illegal coordination with an outside group supporting his White House bid.
                        • American Values and Team Kennedy are required to coordinate their ballot access efforts by American Values and therefore the group's support runs afoul of campaign finance laws.
                        • On Dec. 5, super PAC American Values 2024 announced it would invest $10 million to $15 million in ballot access with the aim of getting Kennedy on the ballot in at least 10 states.
                      • Accuracy
                        • The DNC alleges that American Values and Team Kennedy are required to coordinate their ballot access efforts by American Values and therefore the group's support runs afoul of campaign finance laws.
                        • The DNC complaint alleges that the super PAC is coordinating its activity with Mr. Kennedy and his campaign in violation of federal campaign finance laws.
                      • Deception (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Fallacies (80%)
                        The article contains an example of a false dilemma fallacy. The author presents the situation as if there are only two options: either Kennedy's campaign is coordinating with American Values 2024 or it isn't. However, this oversimplifies the issue and ignores other possibilities that may exist.
                        • ]The DNC alleges illegal coordination between Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign and an outside group supporting his White House bid.
                      • Bias (85%)
                        The DNC alleges that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign illegally coordinated with an outside group on a signature gathering operation. The complaint specifically accuses the group of illegally contributing to Kennedy's signature-gathering efforts and argues that this violates federal law. American Values 2024, the hybrid PAC supporting Kennedy, is prohibited from directly coordinating with his campaign but is accused of doing so through its ballot access efforts. The DNC also accuses supporters of former President Donald Trump of donating to American Values 2024 in an effort to prop up RFK Jr. as a stalking horse.
                        • The complaint specifically alleges that the group has illegally contributed to Kennedy Jr.'s signature-gathering efforts, which are necessary for him to qualify for several state's presidential ballots as an independent candidate.
                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                          The article reports on a complaint filed by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign for allegedly illegally coordinating with an outside group on a signature gathering operation. The DNC claims that this coordination violated federal election laws and regulations.
                          • The article reports that RFK Jr.'s campaign has denied any wrongdoing and claims to have been following all federal election laws and regulations. The article quotes a spokesperson for RFK Jr.'s campaign saying that they are confident in their compliance with the law.
                            • The article reports that the DNC filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) accusing RFK Jr.'s campaign of illegally coordinating with an outside group on a signature gathering operation. The article quotes Tony Lyons, who is described as a former member of RFK Jr.'s team, saying that he was involved in discussions about the signature gathering operation and received instructions from Deirdre Goldfarb, who is also quoted in the article.
                            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                              The article reports that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign illegally coordinated with an outside group on a signature gathering operation in Florida. The DNC claims this coordination violated federal election laws and regulations.
                              • The article reports that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign illegally coordinated with an outside group on a signature gathering operation in Florida.