Wednesday, August 27, 2008

New Group Targets 'Swiftboat' Donors

Focus on Top McCain Donors Sheldon Adelson, George Argyros, Mel Sembler
www.prnewswire.com

$100,000 Reward Offered for Information Leading to Convictions of GOP
Organizations Who Violate the Law


WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An effort to deter attempts by Republican donors aimed at "swiftboating" Democrats from Barack Obama to Senate and House candidates was launched Friday.

"Our aim is to stop the 'swiftboat' groups before they get off the ground. These people need to be stopped," said Tom Matzzie, founder of the effort. "Our focus will include Freedom's Watch, Newt Gingrich's American Solutions 527 and other efforts as they materialize."

Accountable America will shine a spotlight on Republican donors who have contributed to such efforts in past elections in order to discourag them from financing efforts similar to the 2004 "swiftboating" of Senator John Kerry and current attacks on members of the House and Senate.

-- The new group will offer a $100,000 reward to those providing
information that leads to the conviction or judgment against a conservative
or business-related organization that violates the law.

-- Accountable America will provide information to the public through
television ads, mailings, phone calls and its Web site.

-- Next week the organization plans to send a mailing warning nearly
10,000 Republican donors of the consequences of funding organizations that break or skirt the law.

Tom Matzzie is a prominent progressive campaigner formerly with
MoveOn.org Political Action. In 2007, Freedom's Watch was formed as a
response in part to the success of MoveOn's efforts.

To find out more, please visit http://www.accountableamerica.com

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-08-2008/0004864661&EDATE=

No comments: