Pro-Hillary 527 Will Disclose Its Donors
The new pro-Hillary 527 that aims to raise big bucks for ads in Ohio and beyond will, it turns out, be disclosing its donors.
The American Leadership Project clarifies to me that because the group will be funding "electioneering communications" -- otherwise known as "ads" -- that run within 30 days of the voting, it will have to fully disclose its donors to the FEC in quarterly reports.
What's more, each time it spends $10,000 or more on an ad, it will have to file within 24 hours a report to the FEC that lists its donors of $1,000 or more. That will all be publicly accessible info.
"We intend to be open, transparent and to make all full and appropriate disclosures as required by the law," says ALP spokesperson Roger Salazar.
Which means that whatever efforts the group does undertake, its supporters won't be hidden by a shield of anonymity. The public will ultimately know who shelled out how much in an apparent effort to save Hillary's campaign in this fashion.
I'd be curious to see how many also show up as donors to Bill's foundation. Sounds like just the project for a TPM intern...
February 20, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if there are going to be some people who were told their participation would be kept private?
Should be an interesting list. I look forward to it.
February 20, 2008 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll look forward to matching it up against a list of pardons Bill handed out.
February 20, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
And in this way the fat cats can spend more than $2,300 on the primary and have more influence on the outcome.
I would contribute to a 527 that would demand the Hillary Clinton reveal her tax returns prior to winning the nomination.
I believe the wealth of the Clintons would raise some eyebrows . . . particularly the manner in which it has been accumulated. Bill Clinton has been wheeling and dealing for Bill Clinton based on his presidency, maybe all ex-presidents do the same, but it bothers me.
February 20, 2008 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rather than make your smug insinuations why don't you work to change laws? Maybe one that says ex-Presidents can't make any money after office? Or maybe you want to just cap their incomes?
Do you seriously believe that The Great Black One will go along with your desire to limit his after office earnings?
And in case you haven't noticed Saint Obama doesn't live in a hovel.
February 21, 2008 5:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
There goes their doner base:). They plan to raise 10 million dollars to attack the person with the best chance at becoming the President of the US in 2009? I can't see them even getting even half of that if the doners are aware that they will be exposed. Sunlight seems likely to sanitize this stench.
February 20, 2008 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK Greg.
You know how to get in touch with them.
Ask them for the names of all the people who have formed the so called "American Leadership Project". That will not require waiting for after the fact filing reports.
Also ask them if they will accepting bundling to hide the names of many of the donors.
Thanks in advance for getting this information for us.
February 20, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
This must mean that the Clinton campaign isn't doing as well fundraising as they make it seem (shocker!) I don't think they are lying but suspect things are slowing considerably after the initial push after Super Tues.
They now have to get help from big donors and this is the only way it can happen.
*hears Taps playing* Beginning of the end...
Meanwhile Obama is closing in on 1,000,000 donors for his campaign.
February 20, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know the protocol here for noting what's on another site, but here goes:
At Daily Kos, Adam B has an excellent entry (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/20/111237/880)
that notes:
"Let's be clear: when a 527 forms for the express purpose of electing or defeating a particular federal candidate, and engages in public advocacy towards such ends -- as opposed to discussing issues -- it is breaking the law. Period."
And...
"In December, both Barack Obama and John Edwards demanded that 527s purporting to support them cease their activities and denounced their efforts; will Clinton do the same?"
'Nuff said.
February 20, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
They saw Bush steal two elections and were not revolted but envious.
Now, they think, it's their turn to steal it.
Won't happen, though. These gazillionaires are wasting their money, and when their names come out, they'll be blacklisted from the coming Democratic majority. The DLC and its ilk will have to tuck their tails between their legs and try for a comeback perhaps next decade.
February 20, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I don't understand, is why she is trying so hard to win, and to take Obama down, when there is a 95% chance he will be our nominee, and there is a 95% certainty that even if Hillary beat Obama, McCain would mop the floor with her (the other 5% is a McCain stroke scenario). So why the hell is she doubleteaming Obama with McCain and trying to kill the chances of the Democrats in November??? WHY?!!
I take a look:
http://thepersonalispolitical.tumblr.com/post/26858159
February 20, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha... Just remembered this article:
Chris Matthews: Democratic establishment will 'kill the fire of insurgency'
David Edwards and Muriel Kane [January 8, 2008]
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Chris_Matthews_predicts_establishment_to_defeat_0108.html
Although, I think it's a bit late to turn Hillary into a warm and fuzzy candidate.
February 20, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Until we can get rid of these groups, the best we can hope for is finding out who's behind them.
Transparency is a good thing.
February 20, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
THREADJACK
Why do we not yet have a place to bask in the joy of McCain's misery?
It seems like I've been waiting forever just to say "Ha ha!"
February 20, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, so their first ad was put out last night and probably cost them 10,000 bucks to produce and distribute. Waiting for the FEC filing. So far all I can find is their notice of 527 status filed with the IRS.
It's one thing to say that they'll file w/in 24 hours, but that doesn't mean that they'll be up front about donors and supporter identities, contributions, etc until they're forced to report it when they actually run ads. Plus there's the lead time needed for the FEC to receive and publish the information. The American Leadership Project, for example, filed with the IRS on 2/15 and it was only reported yesterday.
February 20, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to Marc Ambinder in The Atlantic:
"They're canvassing Clinton donors for pledges of up to $100,000 in the hope of raising at least $10M by the end of next week."
Where did they get information on Clinton's donors? Is it just a coincidence that her campaign sold her donor list this month & donor information from the Clinton Foundation was also sold late last year?
February 20, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
...And what happens if these 527 guys know full well that no one is going to be watching over them!
Q&A: Holding a Contest Without the Referee
Campaign finance experts talk about what the shutdown of the Federal Election Commission could mean for the most expensive election year yet.
http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=322
February 21, 2008 1:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
This brilliant campaign runs a (legal) ad in Texas starring a recipient of a Clinton pardon.
Now they roll out the illegal ads.
The only thing sparing the Clinton campaign from some serious pushback is that they're so far behind.
February 21, 2008 7:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
This comment is quite laughable:
Which means that whatever efforts the group does undertake, its supporters won't be hidden by a shield of anonymity. The public will ultimately know who shelled out how much in an apparent effort to save Hillary's campaign in this fashion.
Uh, I'll give you a list of some of the potential contributors.
AJAX Corporation, a Virgin Islands PC.
The Pardon Company, a Swiss PC.
The Third Term Corporation, a Luxembourg Co.
Big Oil Company, a Saudi Corp.
Get the idea. Too funny. Where's the Ben Smith credit?
February 21, 2008 7:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
One more, this is way too funny. This quote is priceless as well:
"We intend to be open, transparent and to make all full and appropriate disclosures as required by the law," says ALP spokesperson Roger Salazar.
Why would the clintons change their tune now? I would much rather have them start simple and right now. Let's start with tax returns, then we can move on to the white house docs, then we can take it from there. These "appropriate disclosures" are alot more important than a 527 shell game.
February 21, 2008 8:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh! Zig-zag Zell:
You were a very visible "fake" teaching at Young Harris, throughout your GA political career, and verified it all with that Jack Ass show at the Republical Convention . . . . .
THINK NOT? Look at the Video of your performance at the Convention (in front of the whole nation).
Have you NO SHAME.
When will you realize that you're just a jerk who believes what he says.
buckheaddad
February 21, 2008 8:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where's the illegal 527 ad slamming Obama for not sticking to public financing in the GE? Someone needs to get working on that one, pronto.
February 21, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I want a 527 slamming the GOP for shady ledgal dealings using future public campaign financing as collateral for a loan. Want to create that one?
February 21, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
TO bring the ROve-Atwater tactics within the dem. party is another shame-less Clinton move. It will not help her (can no one explain to them that a large number of Americans just doesn't want her as president?!), and can only hurt the dem. nominee. This is their final chance to show that they do care for anything but themselves, including the party and issues such as health care, choice, etc etc etc etc etc!
February 21, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Desperate situations call for desperate measures. Hillary's campaign is broke, and is not paying there bills.
Hillary keeps touting her managerial experience. Here is a fine example of how Hillary has handled the most
From MSNBC
We are learning more details of the candidates' January fundraising and spending. Clinton ended with debt of more than $7 million; Obama raised $36 million compared to Clintons' $13.6 million. The Clinton debt does NOT include the $5 million personal loan. "But even that money is illusionary when measured against the reported $7.6 million in debts.
More than $2 million of the red ink is owed to chief consultant and adviser, Mark Penn. But the lengthy laundry list of IOUs also includes unpaid bills ranging from insurance coverage, phone banking, printing and catering at events in Iowa, New Hampshire and California."
February 21, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll be interested to see if Bob Perry is one the donor list. He and his Swiftboat pals would rather face Hillary in the general election anyway, so why not help her now so they can trash her then?
February 21, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink