Rep. Issa probes Obama campaign activities

Remember the Barack Obama 2012 campaign commercial that caused a stir two weeks ago when observers realized it was shot in the White House?

Rep. Darrell Issa does--and he's announced today that he's heading up a congressional investigation into that spot and other alleged campaign abuses. Issa, a California Republican who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, contends that the subjects of his inquiry make up "an array of potentially illegal fundraising behavior," Jake Sherman first reported for Politico.

Issa reportedly contacted the president's top lawyer Monday to request documents related to several events that Issa claims show the Obama administration illegally mixing their day jobs with campaign activities.

In addition to the campaign video filmed at the White House, the letter also reportedly cites a number of other incidents, including a March White House meeting organized by the Democratic National Committee providing Obama donors an opportunity to meet with the president; and recently reported claims that the White House is offering donors the appearance of access.

Issa made the president and his administration a top target for his committee when he became chairman in January, calling Obama "one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times." But the committee has largely focused on topics other than corruption in the administration, such as the controversial "Fast and Furious" gun-running operation.

As chairman, Issa now possesses subpoena power--the ability to demand any document and summon anyone to appear before his panel.