Guess what progressive blog runs ads for GOP candidates in Pennsylvania? DU!

[Divernan]

Here's the ad:

"Raja for County Exec Job Creator. Innovative Leader for Allegheny Co www.joinraja.com"

Not that the ad DOES NOT identify Raja as a Republican.

Raja is an Indian expat GOP businessman in Allegheny County (basically Pittsburgh & suburbs) in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

He's running against Democrat Rich Fitzgerald for County Executive - it's the top job - equivalent to being mayor. If he gets in, he will privatize county jobs - like those at the airport, the roads, the parks. He has lots of just super contacts back in India, where he can privatize/outsource high tech-IT work being generated at placer like CMU. What a nightmare. But his money is good enough for DU!

Raja's very well funded. I've been registered as a Democrat in Allegheny County since 1969. Yet I was recently invited to a dinner at a local restaurant to "meet Raj". No charge. I declined.

I don't think Rich Fitzgerald has funding to spend on DU. Disclaimer: I just accepted a request to volunteer to work on Rich's campaign, which I accepted.

How supremely hypocritical for DU rules to ban anyone from stating they will vote for a Republican, but to accept filthy lucre from GOP candidates to influence DU readers - MANY OF WHOM ARE INDEPENDENTS!

[Divernan]

1. And old GOPer Raja will be the frackers' new best friend.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I say let him waste his money here. The money is good

whether it comes from the GOP or from a Dem, and most DUers are not going to be swayed by an ad here. I know that I make sure to click on GOP ads to help fund DU, and then I laugh at how ridiculous it is that these ads are here---who is the dumb ass spending money for campaign ads who thinks it is a good idea?

With that said, I have to agree that you have a good point about a hypocrisy on the part of DU for restricting what is said in the posts while having no such restrictions on who can advertise. Not that I want to have the GOP take over the conversations here any more that a few already try to do. I like to have a place where I can feel the discussion is between people who have a common goal.

[Divernan]

3. I know that's the standard rationale - we take their money

But he is NOT identified as a Republican, and there are a lot of browsers here who are independents and may well assume that anyone advertising on DU is a Democrat. You know that in the last decade or so candidates for local govt. office and even federal offices bend over backward to NOT identify themselves by party - exactly for the purpose of misleading voters.

[MaggieTheVoter]

4. CLick on every ad for GOP you see...

...if it's pay per click you will be spending their money!

[Name removed]

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