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A Warning from the Left
Topic Started: Aug 9 2008, 07:54 AM (746 Views)
George K
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Finally
Group Plans Campaign Agains GOP Donors

Nearly 10,000 of the biggest donors to Republican candidates and causes across the country will probably receive a foreboding “warning” letter in the mail next week.

The letter is an opening shot across the bow from an unusual new outside political group on the left that is poised to engage in hardball tactics to prevent similar groups on the right from getting off the ground this fall.

Led by Tom Matzzie, a liberal political operative who has been involved with some prominent left-wing efforts in recent years, the newly formed nonprofit group, Accountable America, is planning to confront donors to conservative groups, hoping to create a chilling effect that will dry up contributions.

“We want to stop the Swift Boating before it gets off the ground,” said Mr. Matzzie, who described his effort as “going for the jugular.”

The warning letter is intended as a first step, alerting donors who might be considering giving to right-wing groups to a variety of potential dangers, including legal trouble, public exposure and watchdog groups digging through their lives.

The group is also hoping to be able to respond if an outside conservative group broadcasts a television advertisement attacking Senator Barack Obama, or another Democratic candidate, by running commercials exposing the donors behind the advertisements.

Judd Legum, who was the research director for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign, has signed on to play the same role for Accountable America.

The group has raised only $200,000, but Mr. Matzzie said he expected to collect more than $500,000 by next week, with an ultimate goal of $2 million.

Mr. Matzzie said he had decided to focus exclusively on conservative donors because such an effort could be done cheaply.

“It’s targeted,” Mr. Matzzie said. “We don’t need $25 million.”

Mr. Matzzie recently served as one of the leaders of Progressive Media U.S.A., a group that was intended to lead a left-wing media effort in the presidential election, but the group folded several months ago after it failed to raise enough money, partly because of signals from the Obama campaign that donors should not give to outside groups.

Mr. Obama and other Democratic officials have issued warnings about possible activities by outside groups like the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which helped sink Senator John Kerry’s presidential bid in 2004. But activity among outside conservative groups has been decidedly low-level.

Still, Accountable America has singled out some major Republican donors, including Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire casino mogul, and Mel Sembler, a former ambassador and real estate magnate, both major donors to Freedom’s Watch, a conservative group.

Calls to Mr. Sembler and Mr. Adelson were not returned, but Ed Patru, a spokesman for Freedom’s Watch, scoffed at Mr. Matzzie’s plan.

“This idea sounds even more sloppily thought out than his last venture, which, of course, went belly-up for lack of financial support,” Mr. Patru said.

“I doubt anyone will be intimidated by him,” he said, “but if it gives anyone pause, they are always welcome to give to Freedom’s Watch — all of our donors are entitled to complete anonymity by law.”

Indeed, anonymity is a potential obstacle to the group’s efforts. Outside political groups organized as 501©4 entities, including Accountable America, do not have to disclose the names of their donors.

Chris LaCivita, a Republican strategist who helped organize the Swift Boat effort, said Mr. Matzzie’s group was likely to have the opposite effect on potential donors, firing them up instead of discouraging them.

“They’re not going to be intimidated by some pipsqueak on the kooky left,” Mr. LaCivita said.
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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George K
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Finally
Here's the letter:

Posted Image
Posted Image
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Keep an eye on this. If it actually occurs I will start donating to these conservative causes. All of them.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Keep an eye on this. If it actually occurs I will start donating to these conservative causes. All of them.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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George K
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Finally
Ya gonna do it twice? :lol:
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Yeah. Twice.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Klaus
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HOLY CARP!!!
Everything in this letter seems to apply equally to sponsors of both parties. If they send it only to supporters of one party they are not credible.
Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Yeah. Twice.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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George K
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Finally
Here's "Accountable America's" website: http://www.accountableamerica.com/


Quote:
 
Accountable America is a non-partisan, non-profit corporation. We do not seek to elect or defeat candidates or endorse candidates for federal office.

Our funding comes over the Internet, from individuals and from unions and progressive political organizations.


Now Google "Accountable America"

Here's a screenshot:

Posted Image

Non partisan. Got it?
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Copper
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Shortstop
George K
Aug 9 2008, 12:09 PM
Here's "Accountable America's" website: http://www.accountableamerica.com/


Quote:
 
Accountable America is a non-partisan, non-profit corporation. We do not seek to elect or defeat candidates or endorse candidates for federal office.

Our funding comes over the Internet, from individuals and from unions and progressive political organizations.



Non partisan. Got it?


Self-appointed watchdogs are usually pretty reasonable.

They should really help the process.

I'm sure Mr. Obama will embrace the help.
God Damn America!
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
The most dangerous person is an ideologue with a machine gun.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
Klaus
Aug 9 2008, 08:04 AM
Everything in this letter seems to apply equally to sponsors of both parties. If they send it only to supporters of one party they are not credible.

I love it when you moralize about our politics about which you know nothing.

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Dewey
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HOLY CARP!!!
I'd say Klaus understands this issue perfectly.
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Cry Havoc! and let slip the dogs of war! :devilgrin:
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
Damn Fascists!

Ugh!
___.___
(_]===*
o 0
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Hmmm, this guy doesn't seem to know much about how to deal with people - unless he secretly *wants* to stir them to action. Maybe he is a closet Hillary supporter trying to ensure she can run unopposed for the nomination in 2012.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
Jolly
Aug 9 2008, 12:02 PM
Cry Havoc! and let slip the dogs of war! :devilgrin:

Now that's someone who understands our politics. As to the group at issue- yawn.
I'd find 100 just like it on the other side if I felt like wasting my time.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
Daniel
Aug 9 2008, 03:51 PM
Klaus
Aug 9 2008, 08:04 AM
Everything in this letter seems to apply equally to sponsors of both parties. If they send it only to supporters of one party they are not credible.

I love it when you moralize about our politics about which you know nothing.

Klaus, American politics are far too complicated for a poor, ignorant European such as yourself to understand. The sophistication of the issues driving the average American voter is simply beyond your ability to comprehend. America literally invented the concept of freedom, and it is something which is in their blood, their core, their very essence. It's also in the hair-spray which their serious, blue-eyed, square-jawed political candidates apply to their manly crests, and the cologne with which they lather their hard, muscular torsos with such gay abandon.

I have lived here five short years, and in that time I am only beginning to get an inkling of how little I understand of their political process. The depth of the thinking in the election campaign truly beggars belief, which is presumably why it takes 4 years to find a suitable candidate, 1 year to vote for him, and then four more yours for him to achieve sweet f*ck all except prepare to make a bloody fortune having his memoirs ghost-written by some sycophantic hack.

You are Old Europe, Klaus, and hence unfit to witness the majesty that is AMERICAN DEMOCRACY(tm).
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
John, you are far too kind to us ignorant colonials. Forgive us. We have far too much work to do clearing the forest, planting corn, and dealing with Indians to keep up with the civilized world. Please do feel free to drop by our country whenever you want, though, and be sure to sign the guest book on the way out. :lol:
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Piano*Dad
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Bull-Carp
Ah, J.Doe, thanks for my evening belly laugh! :lol:

Yes, Daniel seemed to take yet another opportunity to insult an intelligent and reasonable poster. Hey Danny, why?

BTW, this group seems pretty lame. I can't imagine any donor with cohones who would be intimidated by this rather crude and obvious attempt to silence people.
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
Piano*Dad
Aug 9 2008, 04:22 PM

Yes, Daniel seemed to take yet another opportunity to insult an intelligent and reasonable poster. Hey Danny, why?

See: scorpion fable.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
Piano*Dad
Aug 9 2008, 04:22 PM
Ah, J.Doe, thanks for my evening belly laugh! :lol:

Yes, Daniel seemed to take yet another opportunity to insult an intelligent and reasonable poster. Hey Danny, why?

BTW, this group seems pretty lame. I can't imagine any donor with cohones who would be intimidated by this rather crude and obvious attempt to silence people.

Well, probably for the same reason that you just insulted me by presuming to use a diminutive.

Meet me at WTF where this piling on **** doesn't play, PD, anytime. Otherwise, good day.




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Larry
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
Daniel
Aug 9 2008, 03:51 PM
Klaus
Aug 9 2008, 08:04 AM
Everything in this letter seems to apply equally to sponsors of both parties. If they send it only to supporters of one party they are not credible.

I love it when you moralize about our politics about which you know nothing.

I think you could blindfold Klaus, spin him around until he was dizzy, hand him a pencil and a multiple choice test on american politics and let him guess where the answer marks were, and he' *still* score higher than you could with a set of encyclopedias to help you.

Hell... I think my cat would score higher, for that matter.

Of the Pokatwat Tribe

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Dewey
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HOLY CARP!!!
Daniel, just as it's in poor taste to gossip "here" about supposedly bad things that go on "there," it's in equally poor taste to bellyache that it sucks "here" and that it's all sweetness and light "there." If you like it so much better over there, just shut up and GO.
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
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Daniel
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HOLY CARP!!!
Dewey
Aug 9 2008, 05:59 PM
Daniel, just as it's in poor taste to gossip "here" about supposedly bad things that go on "there," it's in equally poor taste to bellyache that it sucks "here" and that it's all sweetness and light "there." If you like it so much better over there, just shut up and GO.

It seems to me that our religion teaches us that he who is without sin should cast the first stone.
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