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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSherrod Brown: United Citizens vs Citizens United
United Citizens vs Citizens United
by sherrodbrown
Six years ago, when I first ran for the Senate, I focused on issues that would help Ohios middle class. I took principled stands because I thought that what I had to say would be good for Ohio, and good for America. Im proud that our message appealed to Ohio's voters. And Im proud that I was the voice of millions of Ohioans in Washington for the last six years.
But Washington special interests don't like me. I know you've seen the headlines about million-dollar ad buys from Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS or the Chamber of Commerce. These are secretly funded outside special interest groups, with no requirement to tell us where they are getting their money. They've spent nearly 30 million dollars against me, all to prop up a candidate who doesn't do his job, and won't fight for the middle class.
These people are outsidersthey know nothing about Ohio, and they care only about electing right-wing Senators who will do their bidding in Washington.
These groupsKarl Rove's Crossroads GPS, NFIB, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Club for Growth among othershave spent nearly $30 million against me so far. And theyre not done yet. There are only two weeks left until election day, but just this week these groups spent $3 million in one 24-hour period. There's no telling how much money will be against me tomorrow, or Friday. By election day we could be seeing as much as $35 or even $40 million in spending against me.
Who are these big spenders? Its probably the oil industry (Ive opposed their taxpayer-funded handouts), or companies that ship jobs to China (I supported a bipartisan jobs bill to punish China for cheating on trade laws), or it could be the Wall Street megabanks (I voted to crack down on those who caused the financial crisis).The truth is, I just dont know for sure. But you know, and I know, that's the kind of politics Im fighting againstthat Ill continue to fight against.
I want to see Ohios leaders in Washington elected by the people of Ohio by you and not by someone on Wall Street who thinks that because he can outspend us he can buy our elections.
What Im doing with this campaign what were doing with this campaign is showing that a grassroots organization can beat a massively funded special interest campaign.
In two weeks the people over at Crossroads GPS and the Club For Growth are going to find out whether its possible to buy a Senate seat. And were going to teach them its not. Were going to teach them that its possible for a grassroots network of hundreds of thousands of Ohioans spending a dollar here and a dollar there to beat $30 million in ad buys.
So I ask you today to spend just one Saturday volunteering, or spend just one hour after work volunteering to make phone calls on behalf of this campaign. Spend just one afternoon talking to your neighbors about why they should vote. Ask them where theyll stand on November 6. And ask your neighbor if theyre willing to let their vote be bought by special interests -- or if theyre going to stand up with you and choose the direction we take this state ... and this country.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/24/1149346/-United-Citizens-vs-Citizens-United
by sherrodbrown
Six years ago, when I first ran for the Senate, I focused on issues that would help Ohios middle class. I took principled stands because I thought that what I had to say would be good for Ohio, and good for America. Im proud that our message appealed to Ohio's voters. And Im proud that I was the voice of millions of Ohioans in Washington for the last six years.
But Washington special interests don't like me. I know you've seen the headlines about million-dollar ad buys from Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS or the Chamber of Commerce. These are secretly funded outside special interest groups, with no requirement to tell us where they are getting their money. They've spent nearly 30 million dollars against me, all to prop up a candidate who doesn't do his job, and won't fight for the middle class.
These people are outsidersthey know nothing about Ohio, and they care only about electing right-wing Senators who will do their bidding in Washington.
These groupsKarl Rove's Crossroads GPS, NFIB, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Club for Growth among othershave spent nearly $30 million against me so far. And theyre not done yet. There are only two weeks left until election day, but just this week these groups spent $3 million in one 24-hour period. There's no telling how much money will be against me tomorrow, or Friday. By election day we could be seeing as much as $35 or even $40 million in spending against me.
Who are these big spenders? Its probably the oil industry (Ive opposed their taxpayer-funded handouts), or companies that ship jobs to China (I supported a bipartisan jobs bill to punish China for cheating on trade laws), or it could be the Wall Street megabanks (I voted to crack down on those who caused the financial crisis).The truth is, I just dont know for sure. But you know, and I know, that's the kind of politics Im fighting againstthat Ill continue to fight against.
I want to see Ohios leaders in Washington elected by the people of Ohio by you and not by someone on Wall Street who thinks that because he can outspend us he can buy our elections.
What Im doing with this campaign what were doing with this campaign is showing that a grassroots organization can beat a massively funded special interest campaign.
In two weeks the people over at Crossroads GPS and the Club For Growth are going to find out whether its possible to buy a Senate seat. And were going to teach them its not. Were going to teach them that its possible for a grassroots network of hundreds of thousands of Ohioans spending a dollar here and a dollar there to beat $30 million in ad buys.
So I ask you today to spend just one Saturday volunteering, or spend just one hour after work volunteering to make phone calls on behalf of this campaign. Spend just one afternoon talking to your neighbors about why they should vote. Ask them where theyll stand on November 6. And ask your neighbor if theyre willing to let their vote be bought by special interests -- or if theyre going to stand up with you and choose the direction we take this state ... and this country.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/24/1149346/-United-Citizens-vs-Citizens-United
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Sherrod Brown: United Citizens vs Citizens United (Original Post)
ProSense
Oct 2012
OP
BumRushDaShow
(129,543 posts)1. K&R for Sherrod Brown in our neighboring state!
Uncle Joe
(58,426 posts)2. Kicked and recommended.
Thanks for the thread, ProSense.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)3. You're welcome
Go Ohio, and thank you Senator Brown.