Tea Party Express labels FEC complaint ’smear campaign’

The Tea Party Express fired back Friday after the Delaware Republican Party filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against the group, alleging illegal coordination with the Senate campaign of Christine O'Donnell. O'Donnell is challenging Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) in the state's GOP Senate primary set for Tuesday. "These are desperate and baseless charges," the group said in a statement. "The Tea Party Express makes all its own decisions regarding the candidates it supports and the campaign activities in which we engage. Tea Party Express has never campaigned for a candidate at that candidate's request, suggestion or direction — whether it is Christine O'Donnell or any other candidate." The Tea Party Express has been running radio and TV ads supporting O'Donnell and the complaint alleges the group has coordinated with the O'Donnell campaign on its paid communications in violation of federal election law...more