Jack Abramoff's in prison...Ralph Reed is disgraced...what's a poor Republican to do when they need access to casino money to fund their most outrageous attacks on Democratic opponents? Answer: Turn to Vegas Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his shadow 527 group, Freedom's Watch.
Sheldon Adelson, who made his billions in casinos where the deck is always stacked against the little guy, is now transferring that philosophy into the political world. Because Democratic candidates must abide by campaign finance regulations, they can only take donations in small amounts. The average budget for a successful Congressional campaign in '06 was around $1.5 million. A 527 like Freedom's Watch, on the other hand, has no donation limits and does not have to even report who its donors are.
Enter Sheldon Adelson, his 527's billion dollar media budget, and an advertising strategy that has never heard of the 9th Commandment. Suddenly popular Democrats who are leading in the polls and outpacing their opponents in donations from voters are facing Adelson's attack machine that can saturate the airwaves with lie after lie and do so at buy levels no Congressional campaign can possibly compete with.
Especially in larger and rural markets where it's harder for the local press to fact-check and call out the lies, the Democrats are forced to spend their time and money setting the record straight with voters instead of talking about their vision and hope for the future.
In AL-02 for example, where popular Montgomery mayor Bobby Bright is currently up by 10 points in his race for that open seat, Freedom Watch has started flooding the airwaves with flat out lies about his record, his character, and has even attacked his faith.
It is clear that Adelson will continue to use his ill-gotten gains for shadowy purposes. The question is whether we will allow his billions and Freedom's Watch's lies to buy elections. The press needs to call out these tactics and make sure that voters understand who is behind them...and all Americans of good will need to respond by giving to the races that are being targeted by Adelson to help them fight back. There is just too much at stake in this election to allow a casino baron to single-handedly pick off our most promising candidates.
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There is no way to stem the flood of pollution from groups like this. So the only other strategy is to identify it for what it is. We need to remind each other every time a sleazeball group like "Freedom's Watch" (the very definition of an oxyMORON) puts out more bilge. Then we have to metaphorically set it aflame - show where the lies are in as graphic and simplistic ways. The 527's are corrupting a tottering system and soon we will all be left in the sludge from which they came.
This is just another example of outrageous, despicable behavior on the part of Republicans. The Republican party could easily reign in these shadow groups, but they throw up their hands and turn a blind eye. Perhaps some Republican candidates believe that in the game of politics, anything goes. But here's some news: they will be held accountable, both here on earth and in the hereafter. Let's hope that the first round of just desserts comes this Election Day.
OH, I guess the Democrats have never done anything like that, George Soros, Move on. org, Emily's list, and many national unions ring a bell. Typical Liberal hypocrisy. Apparently Beliefenet has become a liberal enclave since all the stories are buidling up Obama and tearing down McCain. It's amazing all the attention beliefnet, mainstream media and liberal blogs are giving to Sarah Palin, but little to nothing is said about Joe Biden and his shady dealings and votes over the years. Hopefully the majority of the American people will show you that you don't have a clue yet again when Obama and Biden lose despite your best effort to cram them down our throats.
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