Dems Strike Back Against Americans For Prosperity
Democratic organizations and candidates are starting to strike back against Americans for Prosperity’s $4.1 million ad buy attacking nearly two dozen Dems in 11 states. Although the ads would likely have been permitted even in a pre-Citizens United world, Democrats are arguing that they’re a part of a new, unregulated campaign finance landscape in which any company, even a foreign one, could get away with influencing U.S. elections through donations to nonprofit groups like AFP while barely leaving a trace. Says the DCCC’s Ryan Rudominer to TPM:
“„“Republican congressional candidates owe it to voters to denounce these shadowy Right Wing front groups like Americans for Prosperity and demand they stay out of their districts unless they disclose their donor list,” reads a statement to TPM from DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer, “If they refuse to do so, they are sending a message to voters loud and clear – they stand firmly on the side of these shady Washington front groups and their Right Wing agenda of outsourcing American jobs overseas and allowing foreign corporations like British Petroleum or Huge Chavez’s Citgo to influence American elections.”
And the push back isn’t just coming from the DCCC. State parties and affected Dems are also expected to ramp up their activities later this week. The first example comes from Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio), in this web video.
