A political group based in Chicago known as the
New Prosperity Foundation is attempting to help elect Republicans in the Midwest, attracting the support of heavy-hitting GOP donors, including several people who were in the top fundraising circles of the Bush-Cheney campaign. Although it formed in late 2009, it is just now starting to attract notice with its significant investment outside of Illinois -- in Wisconsin's 7th congressional district. The group is part of a new crop of independent conservative organizations that are springing up as alternative -- and sometimes competing -- venues for wealthy donors to give their money, outside of the traditional party structure.
New Prosperity's website shows a map of 10 states in the Midwest in which it will be focusing its efforts. In April, it
took out an ad attacking Illinois' Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias for reckless spending. The Huffington Post also spoke with
an Illinois resident named Tom F., who said that this week he received a robocall from New Prosperity in support of Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk and gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady.
Much of New Prosperity's resources lately, however, seem to be devoted to the Wisconsin congressional race between Democrat Julie Lassa and Republican Sean Duffy. An ad attacking Lassa launched in early August with a
$50,000 media buy.
<...>
New Prosperity lists its co-chairmen as Gregory W. Baise and Ronald J. Gidwitz, two prominent Chicago figures. Baise is currently head of the
Illinois Manufacturers Association and previously served as the state's transportation secretary. Gidwitz is a Chicago businessman who ran for governor of Illinois in 2006. His trust provided New Prosperity's
$25,000 in start-up funds. Gidwitz was also
a 2004 Bush Pioneer, meaning he raised at least $100,000 for the Bush-Cheney campaign.
Gidwitz has attracted a few other Bush donors to his effort, although none of the ones who have been disclosed come from Wisconsin; they're all from Illinois or Missouri. One of New Prosperity's major donors is St. Louis businessman Sam Fox, who gave
$25,000 to New Prosperity on Aug. 26. In 2004, he donated $50,000 to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth -- which became notorious for its attacks on Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) -- and was
recess-appointed as ambassador to Belgium by President Bush after Senate Democrats refused to confirm him. Fox was
a Bush Pioneer in the 2000 election and a Ranger in 2004, which required raising at least $200,000.
From these assholes'
site:
The New Prosperity Foundation was created by people who believe that one of government’s main goals should be encouraging economic growth by removing unnecessary impediments and promoting predictable and fair tax policies. We believe in a balanced and common-sense approach to regulations, and that the greatest social program possible is a free-market economy which encourages the growth of good-paying jobs.
Unfortunately, over the past decade, our federal and state governments have strayed from that philosophy. Too often, employers are viewed as under-taxed sources of bottomless financing to grow government. While we recognize the need for fair taxes, the benefits of prosperity through a truly free enterprise system have too often been ignored. Balance is the key, and we seek to restore it.
For these and other reasons, the New Prosperity Foundation will be using resources to educate voters about issues and candidates having a direct effect on economic growth. Money raised to promote our communication in any given state will be earmarked for that state, and no punches will be pulled in making our points.
Yeah, just like Bush did and the Republicans want to do via their Pledge to Screw America.
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