G.O.P. Insider Fuels Tea Party and Suspicion

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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/us/politics/19russo.html?hp=&pagewanted=all

In the days leading up to the Delaware primary, Sal Russo hosted a radio fund-raiser, organized a political rally and pressed the case with reporters that Christine O’Donnell was the Tea Party’s choice for the United States Senate. He also set off what he calls a “money bomb,” pouring at least $250,000 into television and other advertisements promoting the little-known candidate.

(snip)
Unlike many of the newly energized outsiders who have embraced Tea Party ideals, Mr. Russo, 63, is a longtime Republican operative who got his start as an aide to Ronald Reagan and later raised money and managed media strategy for a string of other politicians, including former Gov. George E. Pataki of New York. His history and spending practices have prompted some former employees and other Tea Party activists to question whether he is committed to, or merely exploiting, their cause.

Mr. Russo’s group, based in California, is now the single biggest independent supporter of Tea Party candidates, raising more than $5.2 million in donations since January 2009, according to federal records. But at least $3 million of that total has since been paid to Mr. Russo’s political consulting firm or to one controlled by his wife, according to federal records.

(snip)
He seems unfazed by the Federal Election Commission complaint made by Republican Party leaders in Delaware. Tom Ross, the state Republican Party chairman, charged that Mr. Russo and his team had improperly arranged for Ms. O’Donnell to speak during at least two Tea Party events in the week before the election, held closed-door meetings with Ms. O’Donnell and solicited donations to turn over to her campaign.

(will be interesting to see if Tom Ross brings this up tomorrow on ABC This Week)