After winning right to spend, political groups fight for secrecy (LA Times)
Patented conservative hypocrisy. ~ pinto
After winning right to spend, political groups fight for secrecy
Conservatives who said disclosure of donors would prevent corruption now are attacking such rules, citing fears of harassment.
By Joseph Tanfani and Melanie Mason, Washington Bureau
June 26, 2012
WASHINGTON — During their long campaign to loosen rules on campaign money, conservatives argued that there was a simpler way to prevent corruption: transparency. Get rid of limits on contributions and spending, they said, but make sure voters know where the money is coming from.
Today, with those fundraising restrictions largely removed, many conservatives have changed their tune. They now say disclosure could be an enemy of free speech.
High-profile donors could face bullying and harassment from liberals out to "muzzle" their opponents, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a recent speech.
Corporations could be subject to boycotts and pickets, warned the Wall Street Journal editorial page this spring.
Democrats "want to intimidate people into not giving to these conservative efforts," said Republican strategist Karl Rove on Fox News. "I think it's shameful."
Rove helped found American Crossroads, a "super PAC," and Crossroads GPS, a nonprofit group that does not reveal its donors.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-disclosure-challenge-20120626,0,2730713.story