WP, pg1: New alliance of Democrats spreads funding millions

[DeepModem Mom]

New Alliance Of Democrats Spreads Funding
But Some in Party Bristle At Secrecy and Liberal Tilt
By Jim VandeHei and Chris Cillizza
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, July 17, 2006; Page A01

An alliance of nearly a hundred of the nation's wealthiest donors is roiling Democratic political circles, directing more than $50 million in the past nine months to liberal think tanks and advocacy groups in what organizers say is the first installment of a long-term campaign to compete more aggressively against conservatives.

A year after its founding, Democracy Alliance has followed up on its pledge to become a major power in the liberal movement. It has lavished millions on groups that have been willing to submit to its extensive screening process and its demands for secrecy.

These include the Center for American Progress, a think tank with an unabashed partisan edge, as well as Media Matters for America, which tracks what it sees as conservative bias in the news media. Several alliance donors are negotiating a major investment in Air America, a liberal talk-radio network.

But the large checks and demanding style wielded by Democracy Alliance organizers in recent months have caused unease among Washington's community of Democratic-linked organizations. The alliance has required organizations that receive its endorsement to sign agreements shielding the identity of donors. Public interest groups said the alliance represents a large source of undisclosed and unaccountable political influence.

Democracy Alliance also has left some Washington political activists concerned about what they perceive as a distinctly liberal tilt to the group's funding decisions. Some activists said they worry that the alliance's new clout may lead to groups with a more centrist ideology becoming starved for resources....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/16/AR2006071600882_pf.html

[madfloridian]

1. I think we will have to ask hard questions about this over all.

I think we will need to question loyalties of not only candidates, but bloggers and websites..

I have been noticing a pattern for a while, going to just keep watching and figuring out.

Often the signs are more about what is not there than what we are seeing. It is hard to be on our side because we don't control any of the media...it is still mostly on the side of the administration.

I know sounds vague...but I have just a feeling and a hunch or two.

[madfloridian]

2. One thing comes to mind that can be mentioned.

Recently one of the main funders of this media group, Deborah Rappoport, criticized Dean and the DNC for not working enough and spending enough on the Young Democrats group. They get as much as anyone else, and he has had them at the DNC, is going to their convention this month in the midwest, and they get as much attention as anyone else.

Then, she wrote a blog at Huff Post, saying that the abovementioned Progressive Alliance was going to fund the young Democrats through other groups.

NOW, why would a Democrat without any other motives...imply the DNC needs more money for funding the young people...and THEN give the money to so far undisclosed other groups.

Could it be NDN (Simon Rosenberg's New Dems?)with whom she works? Or could it be others we don't know about.

Why not donate the money to the DNC in behalf or in bequest to the College and Young Democrats groups? Why post a blog in a very obvious place criticizing the party chair and his efforts to reach out to the evangelical community, and not offer to give the money to the party itself?

I think some of us need to do some research on who is doing the stuff with the young democrats?

I think bloggers should disclose if they are getting funding, and I think Deb Rappaport should disclose which groups will be influencing our young people.

I predict a whole bunch of astroturf coming our way as the election nears this year.....and I predict pure astroturf hell by 08. Stuff happens when no one discloses.

[amitten]

3. Fix the machines.

Electronic vote = hackable vote.

[Toots]

4. Hey DLC this is called the Base and you better take heed

We are tired of being sold down the river by the DLC. If you don't want to pay attention to the Democratic base then you best get out of politics. just my $.02 worth