Documents Found in Meth House: "Non-profit" funnels mining exec $ to help GOP candidates

[kpete]

an article from PRO PUBLICA highlighting now-public documents that concern the actions of a "social welfare non-profit" called the American Tradition Partnership (in less ambitious days, known as the Western Tradition Partnership), an entity that, in practice, appears to focus its efforts on campaign materials that support like-minded GOP candidates and attack Democrat opponents. It was also responsible for the Montana lawsuit that extended Citizens United to state elections.

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The boxes landed in the office of Montana investigators in March 2011.


Found in a meth house in Colorado, they were somewhat of a mystery, holding files on 23 conservative candidates in state races in Montana. They were filled with candidate surveys and mailers that said they were paid for by campaigns, and fliers and bank records from outside spending groups. One folder was labeled "Montana $ Bomb."
http://www.propublica.org/article/documents-found-in-meth-house-bare-inner-workings-of-dark-money-group#frontline-preview

* Even before these documents, the organization had been accused of violating campaign finance laws. However, past investigations seemed to run short on concrete evidence establishing coordination with candidates.

* The origin of these documents is murky (involving a meth house and a stolen car), but they are numerous and detailed. They appear to originate from a direct mail company associated with the group's campaigning.

* The group's donor list includes mining executives and the like. A letter to donors invites them to "just sit back on election night and see what a difference you've made".

* The group distributed mailings with a "newspaper" motif, trumpeting the alleged journalistic accolades of one of the group's central members, and featuring crude smears against Democrat incumbents (e.g. depicted alongside sex offenders).

* One former GOP state rep, who won his primary by 20 votes, seemed happy with the assistance he got from this shadowy organization:

"They'll come in, if candidates want some help, they'll come in and help them," said Butcher, who described LeFer as "a Karl Rove type political strategist" who "stays in the background."

http://www.propublica.org/article/documents-found-in-meth-house-bare-inner-workings-of-dark-money-group

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/29/1151987/--Non-profit-funnels-mining-exec-to-help-GOP-candidates

[Ganja Ninja]

1. Shouldn't you revise the title of this to ...

"Romney ground Campaign fueled by Meth"

[justiceischeap]

2. k & r. nt

[Arctic Dave]

3. Now if they would include they "dark money" from "religious" organizations.

We had an article in the local paper where the megachurch was having a "fundraiser night" to go against incumbent Democratic Senators. They were hoping to raise 40,000 dollars in one night.

Does that sound like parishners money? Or does it sound like corporate money dressed up as a bible?




"Minnery's group is trying to raise $40,000 for mailers, automated phone calls featuring national names such as Mike Huckabee, and other tools to turn the Senate. Four Democratic incumbents are targeted:"

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2012/10/23/2669876/social-conservatives-take-aim.html#storylink=cpy

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Minnery, Prevo, et al., infuriate me.

I'm really hoping Alaska voters see through this crap. What an unholy alliance...BIG OIL, Sean Parnell and the fundies. Sickening.

[Arctic Dave]

6. The repugs have really sunk to a new low.

I hope they see through them too.

[Wilms]

4. ^