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Title: Spending blitz by outside groups helped secure big GOP wins (Rove, American Crossroads)
Source:
MSNBC
URL Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39995283/ns/politics-decision_2010/
Published: Nov 3, 2010
Author: Michael Isikoff and Rich Gardella
Post Date: 2010-11-03 23:03:43 by Hondo68
Keywords: McCain-Feingold overturned, Supreme Court ruling, unlimited contributions
Views: 108943
Comments: 94
A tightly coordinated effort by outside Republican groups, spearheaded by Karl Rove and fueled by tens of millions of dollars in contributions from Wall Street hedge fund moguls and other wealthy donors, helped secure big GOP midterm victories Tuesday, according to campaign spending figures and Republican fundraising insiders.
Leading the GOP spending pack was a pair of groups — American Crossroads and its affiliate, Crossroads GPS — both of which were co-founded by two former aides in the George W. Bush White House: Rove, and Ed Gillespie.
Together, the groups — which are not formally part of the Republican Party — spent more than $38 million on attack ads and campaign mailings against Democrats, according to figures compiled by the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign spending in congressional races.
A substantial portion of Crossroads GPS’ money came from a small circle of extremely wealthy Wall Street hedge fund and private equity moguls, according to GOP fundraising sources who spoke with NBC News on condition of anonymity. These donors have been bitterly opposed to a proposal by congressional Democrats — and endorsed by the Obama administration — to increase the tax rates on compensation that hedge funds pay their partners, the sources said.
A scorecard compiled by NBC News shows the ad barrage appeared to mostly pay off: Republican candidates won nine of the 12 Senate races and 14 of 22 House races where American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS spent money.
That had the groups’ leaders gloating Wednesday about what they described as their pivotal role in the election results.
‘A decisive blow for freedom’
“Thank you, America!” read the banner headline on a blog posting by Steve Law, president of American Crossroads, on the group’s website. The posting proclaimed that the organizations’ team had “struck a decisive blow for freedom” with the election results. “Together we not only retired House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, we also achieved the largest House seat switch since 1938!” Law wrote.
While it is hard to calculate exactly how much of an impact the Crossroads groups had in an election that was tilting Republican for a variety of reasons, their efforts helped fuel an substantial overall spending advantage by outside GOP groups. Overall, outside Republican groups outspent outside Democratic groups, $245 million to $191 million — a $54 million edge.
The Crossroads affiliates and similar groups were formed after a controversial Supreme Court ruling in January that permitted outside political groups to collect unlimited contributions from corporations, labor unions and other wealthy donors and use them directly on campaign ads. In addition, groups that were organized as nonprofit “advocacy” organizations (such as Crossroads GPS) did not have to disclose the identity of their donors.
As a result, the airwaves this campaign season were flooded with millions of dollars in attack ads, paid for by secret donors. Out of nearly $300 million spent on congressional campaigns ads by both parties, 42 percent were funded by undisclosed donors, according to a study by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Just behind the Crossroads groups in outside spending on the GOP-side were the Chamber of Commerce ($31 million) and the American Action Network ($14 million), according to Sunlight Foundation figures. Neither disclosed the identity of its donors.
While outside Democratic groups belatedly tried to mimic the GOP efforts, they fell short. America’s Families First Action Fund, a group founded by a number of former Democratic strategists that operated much like American Crossroads, wasn’t organized until last summer and spent just $5.5 million — $1 million of which came from a non-disclosing nonprofit affiliate, according to the Sunlight Foundation. The big outside spenders on the Democratic side were labor unions such as AFSME ($10.7 million) and the SEIU ($10 million.)
Groups coordinated spending, insiders say
In addition to the spending advantage, outside GOP groups like the Crossroads groups, Americans for Prosperity and Club for Growth coordinated their efforts, divvying up which groups would spend in which races at which times. The groups’ leaders would meet and talk regularly in sessions often led by Rove or one of his associates, according to the two GOP fundraising sources familiar with how the organizations worked.
Spending by outside groups linked to both parties
The coordination could be seen in spending patterns in key Senate races.
In Illinois, for example, GOP winner Mark Kirk benefited from $5.5 million in attack ads from the Crossroads groups targeting his Democratic opponent, Alexi Giannoulias.
In Wisconsin, meanwhile, the Crossroads groups didn’t spend any money, but the Chamber of Commerce spent $748,000 on attack ads that helped defeat Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold. (Feingold, ironically, was co-author of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law whose restrictions on advertisements by outside groups was overturned by the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, paving the way for the creation of groups such as American Crossroads.)
The long term impact of the spending by the outside groups during this election will be to lay the groundwork for an even bigger effort during the presidential campaign two years from now. That will substantially diminish the role of the two political parties, according to campaign finance experts.
Other than running primaries, “who needs (political parties)?” asked Brett Kappel, a Washington lawyer who specializes in campaign finance laws. Contributions to the parties remain “heavily regulated,” under strict limits and must be publicly disclosed, he noted.
“After this election,” Kappel said, “all of that can be outsourced to unregulated entities that don’t have to disclose their donors.”
Poster Comment:
McCain Feingold and SCOTUS, a tag team to screw America.
Feingold lost the election, but McStain got reelected. Go figure.
AFAIK no supreme court justice has ever been impeached or removed. Congress has the power, but they'll never use it. They're too corrupt, and fear the same treatment.
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Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan group
What a load of bullshit!
Ellen S. Miller "is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Sunlight Foundation. Ms. Miller was the publisher of TomPaine.com and a senior fellow at The American Prospect.
#2. To: hondo68 (#0)
These groups were just learning the ropes this time. Next election, they'll be completely invisible.
#3. To: hondo68 (#0)
A tightly coordinated effort by outside Republican groups, spearheaded by Karl Rove and fueled by tens of millions of dollars in contributions from Wall Street hedge fund moguls and other wealthy donors, helped secure big GOP midterm victories Tuesday, according to campaign spending figures and Republican fundraising insiders.
AWESOME!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Barrack Hussein Obama
President of the United States of America said that some Americans ; "They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."
#4. To: hondo68 (#0)
Republican candidates won nine of the 12 Senate races and 14 of 22 House races where American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS spent money.
Rove did better than Palin.
I think after yesterday it's a pretty good bet that Palin runs as a third party candidate in 2012.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#5. To: go65 (#4)
I think after yesterday it's a pretty good bet that Palin runs as a third party candidate in 2012.
Don't underestimate the stupidity of the Republican party. No doubt they'll come up with a ticket guaranteed to get hObama reelected. Surefire losers, like McCain and Palin.
Romulin/Huksterbee 2012! It's easy, try it.
#6. To: hondo68 (#5)
Don't underestimate the stupidity of the Republican party. No doubt they'll come up with a ticket guaranteed to get hObama reelected. Surefire losers, like McCain and Palin.
Romney is going to be tough to beat, and when he starts winning early Paling will throw a hissy fit and run as a third-party candidate.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#7. To: go65 (#6)
Paling will throw a hissy fit
Drunk already, shill?
#8. To: hondo68 (#0)
BULLSHIT
I can name Dem after Dem who went for the jugular, got outspent, and beat the Rep.
Boxer, Bennet, Exposing Climate Deniers Fiorina, Buck.
#9. To: go65 (#6)
Paling will throw a hissy fit and run as a third-party candidate.
The First thing Rove has to do:
Get rid of OMFGPalin. She's Cholera to the GOP's Haiti. 8D
Tina Fey, in just offhand remarks, destroys her.
#10. To: go65 (#4)
I think after yesterday it's a pretty good bet that Palin runs as a third party candidate in 2012.
I've got a thousand dollars that says this is bullshit.
Let me know.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#11. To: hondo68 (#5)
Don't underestimate the stupidity of the Republican party.
Gee....something happened this week with the Republican Party...what was it? Hmmm...it'll come to me....wait a minute...ahhhh...
Oh thats Right! THEY JUST HAD THEIR BEST ELECTION CYCLE IN 80 YEARS.
Gee...how 'stupid' of them.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#12. To: Badeye (#11)
Oh thats Right! THEY JUST HAD THEIR BEST ELECTION CYCLE IN 80 YEARS.
And missed a golden opportunity to take the Senate.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#13. To: go65 (#12)
And missed a golden opportunity to take the Senate.
ROTFLMAO.
Ah, nope. It was always a longshot in the Senate, as every poll for the past year indicated.
I don't blame you for retreating into a fantasy world this week, GO. Reality is ugly, and POTUS did the same thing yesterday too.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#14. To: Badeye (#13) (Edited)
Ah, nope. It was always a longshot in the Senate, as every poll for the past year indicated.
Did you forget that YOU predicted that the GOP would take the Senate? Did you forget that Dick Morris, who you recently praised for his political acumen, predicted that the GOP would take the Senate.
You are going to hurt yourself with all that twisting and spinning.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#15. To: Badeye, skip intro, fred mertz, ferret mike, lucysmom, hondo88 (#13)
Ah, nope. It was always a longshot in the Senate, as every poll for the past year indicated.
Chuckle......
Dick Morris: HOW REPUBLICANS WILL WIN THE SENATE
http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/how-republicans-will-win-the-senate/
Dick Morris: BULLETIN! REPUBLICANS NOW POISED TO TAKE SENATE MAJORITY
http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/bulletin-republicans-now-poised-to-take-senate-majority/
Dick Morris and Eileen McGann: Shift in Washington State Boosts GOP Senate Hopes
http://townhall.com/columnists/DickMorrisandEileenMcGann/2010/11/01/shift_in_washington_state_b oosts_gop_senate_hopes
DICK MORRIS: GOP will win House, Senate
http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/dick-morris/90873-gop-will-win-house-senate
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#16. To: go65 (#15)
Harry Reid cheated in the land of whores and gambling. The machines were spitting his name out before anyone voted. He is a fraud and they should revote by paper.
#17. To: go65 (#14)
Did you forget that YOU predicted that the GOP would take the Senate?
The database doesn't lie. LOL
#18. To: A K A Stone (#16)
Harry Reid cheated in the land of whores and gambling. The machines were spitting his name out before anyone voted. He is a fraud and they should revote by paper.
Angle made a massive mistake when she came out against Reid's efforts to save 40,000 jobs by backing loan guarantees for MGM.
Attacking the largest industry in your state isn't the way to win votes.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#19. To: go65 (#18)
Angle made a massive mistake when she came out against Reid's efforts to save 40,000 jobs by backing loan guarantees for MGM.Attacking the largest industry in your state isn't the way to win votes.
Never heard that one. Where is that power enumerated in the constitution?
So she was an honest follower of the constitution and Reid a serial usurper.
#20. To: A K A Stone (#16)
Harry Reid cheated in the land of whores and gambling.
Friends in Nevada never believed the polls putting Angle ahead were accurate. They thought there was something funny going on with the polling.
Did you know Angle, herself, said that 80% of her campaign money came from outside the state of Nevada? Does that sound to you like she had a lot of support from people in the state that could actually vote for her?
The citizens of Nevada are a pretty independent lot. The hint of outside meddling in their politics would be counterproductive.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
#21. To: A K A Stone (#19)
Never heard that one. Where is that power enumerated in the constitution?
He lobbied banks for loan guarantees that saved 40k jobs. I don't think there is anything in the Constitution that precludes such an effort.
She was an opponent of jobs for citizens of her state, which is why she lost.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#22. To: Badeye (#11)
THEY JUST HAD THEIR BEST ELECTION CYCLE IN 80 YEARS.
You say that like it's a good thing. By 2012 folks will come to realize that they suck too, and that switching wings on the corrupt two party fraud is no solution. Hopefully the grassroots of the Tea Party in conjunction with others will elect some third party candidates in '12.
I'm sticking with my prediction that the GOP will not take the presidency, due to their nominating liberal busbots for the ticket. They will push for a Dem win, but might get surprised by a third party one. The GOP leadership are arrogant retards.
#23. To: hondo68 (#22)
You say that like it's a good thing. By 2012 folks will come to realize that they suck too, and that switching wings on the corrupt two party fraud is no solution. Hopefully the grassroots of the Tea Party in conjunction with others will elect some third party candidates in '12.
it's only been a couple of years since Democrats held every seat they had and won every open seat.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#24. To: go65 (#21)
She was an opponent of jobs for citizens of her state, which is why she lost.
She also ran an ad depicting Hispanics as gang members and a Republican operative tried to help out by running a spot encouraging Hispanic citizens not to vote - that backfired.
Then she can't tell the difference between an Asain and a Hispanic, annoying both groups.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
#25. To: lucysmom (#20)
Friends in Nevada never believed the polls putting Angle ahead were accurate. They thought there was something funny going on with the polling.
rasmussen had a very very bad election, he over-estimed GOP support something like 70% of races by an average of 4-5 points.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#26. To: lucysmom (#20)
I just don't trust computer voting systems where one candidates name happens to pop up before any choices are made.
#27. To: lucysmom (#24)
Then she can't tell the difference between an Asain and a Hispanic, annoying both groups.
The asians are usually the smarter ones.
#28. To: go65 (#21)
He lobbied banks for loan guarantees that saved 40k jobs.
I don't know about this issue for sure. But what you said sounds kind of like intimidation. Why not just let the banks make their own decisions?
#29. To: go65 (#14)
Did you forget that YOU predicted that the GOP would take the Senate?
1. Nope, I own my predictions, as you've know for the past three election cycles.
2. Morris didn't predict a GOP Senate take over. He predicted 6 - 8 seats, and said it was POSSIBLE the GOP could retake the Senate. I told you this here in the forum Monday. Did you forget? Morris nailed it, back in FEBRUARY btw.
3. No twisting or spinning here at all...but its okay if you want to pretend otherwise.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#30. To: hondo68 (#22)
I'm sticking with my prediction that the GOP will not take the presidency, due to their nominating liberal busbots for the ticket.
I seriously doubt this. Right now, polls show 42% of voters identify themselves as 'Conservatives' leading all other catagories by wide margins.
Plus your view requires the belief nobody 'learns'. Thats simply not the case. We got a bullshit democrat lite nominee in 2008 because it worked in 2000, and again in 2004 with Bush.
Whats winning is Conservative. As it always does when voiced and acted upon, when Conservative principals are adhered to.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#31. To: go65 (#21)
That last campaign ad Reid ran was very good, and probably got him reelected.
Course it was total bullshit...but very good bullshit none the less.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#32. To: Badeye (#29)
2. Morris didn't predict a GOP Senate take over
I cited for your four different articles by Morris arguing how the GOP would take the Senate.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#33. To: Badeye (#30)
Plus your view requires the belief nobody 'learns'. Thats simply not the case. We got a bullshit democrat lite nominee in 2008 because it worked in 2000, and again in 2004 with Bush.
You got Sarah Palin one heart-beat away from the WH in 2008 and got slaughtered. Meanwhile "compassionate" conservative George W. Bush won twice.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#34. To: go65 (#33)
Bush blew it for the Republicans in 2008. Palin is a good woman. She knows right from wrong. Zero isn't a cultural American and is immoral and evil.
#35. To: go65 (#32)
2. Morris didn't predict a GOP Senate take over I cited for your four different articles by Morris arguing how the GOP would take the Senate.
And I told you what he said Monday. ON radio, cable, and his blog.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#36. To: go65 (#33)
You got Sarah Palin one heart-beat away from the WH in 2008 and got slaughtered. Meanwhile "compassionate" conservative George W. Bush won twice.
Careful, the dwarf will threaten to sue you, pretend he sent a one way airline ticket so he can fight you in the Newark airport, for suggesting Bush 'won twice' (cracking myself up again).
Palin's the only reason McCain didn't lose the 2008 race by double digits.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#37. To: A K A Stone (#34)
Bush blew it for the Republicans in 2008.
And 2006.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
#38. To: go65 (#25)
rasmussen had a very very bad election, he over-estimed GOP support something like 70% of races by an average of 4-5 points.
Interesting.
In Nevada even prominent Republicans were endorsing Reid.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
#39. To: lucysmom (#38)
In Nevada even prominent Republicans were endorsing Reid.
Like who?
#40. To: A K A Stone (#26)
I just don't trust computer voting systems where one candidates name happens to pop up before any choices are made.
I wouldn't trust it either.
I was given the choice between computer voting and a paper ballot at my polling place. I choose the computer. After making all selections, a summary of votes cast is displayed; when the voter approves the summary, a paper summary is printed and the voter makes a final approval to complete the process.
I'm pretty happy with that system and voted to re-elect the SOS who put it in place.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
#41. To: A K A Stone (#27)
The asians are usually the smarter ones.
Don't tell me, tell Sharron.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
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