What was Bush's position on 527 gps BEFORE this episode? I smell a FLIP...

[Brotherjohn]

...FLOP...!

EDITED potential Kerry remarks:

Kerry should come out running with this one:
"Bush was never against such advertising when it worked to benefit him. Now the minute such a group goes too far on his behalf, and he gets grief for it... he condemns such groups. Now when other groups who are opposed to his policies have become successful at raising money and placing ads... he condemns such groups. Some might call that a flip-flop!"

"But it's not just these 527 groups. They're fine if they operate according to the law and remain independent of the campaigns. Everyone has the right to free speech. When they go too far on my behalf, I will and have repudiated them. But every indication is that this "SwiftBoat Veterans" group, a group spreading insinuations about me that are demonstrably false, IS affiliated with the Bush campaign. And this makes it illegal."

[Bluzmann57]

1. If I remember correctly

Some repubs were trying to limit 527's after Moveon came out with some anti-bush ads. I think it was around the time of the Super Bowl, when they had the ad featuring the kids doing hard work. I may be mistaken about this, any help would be appreciated. Your idea for an ad campaign is a good one. Kerry and co. need to fight these bastards and fight hard. Bare knuckle brawl if neccessary. Except I don't particularly want to stoop to their level.

[sadiesworld]

2. Actually, * and the rethugs have always hated 527s.

Politically * was forced to sign off on campaign finance reform b/c of the Enron scandal. However, his henchmen, e.g., Mitch McConnell, have never stopped trying to kill it off.

In a sense this is a bit of a win-win for *. He gets the benefit of duping some w/ the swiftboat lies and a backlash against 527s by those who don't buy the swifty garbage.

[xray s]

3. I'd sweeten it a bit

"People have a right to express an opinion, and join together to give a voice to that opinion. But when you lie, as the SBVT have lied, you go over the line and deserve to be condemned.

George Bush wants to take away your First Amendment right to be heard. I support that right, whether it's the NRA or gun control advocates, the Sierrra Club or corporate polluters, Pro-choice or anti-abortion groups, it doesn't matter. But they have to be held accountable to tell the truth in their ads, and they should disclose who their contributors are, for the public record."

I think Bush's call for the elimination of 527 ads worries some folks on the other side too. Let them think about it.

[kentuck]

4. He signed the bill ....

But he had no idea it would give hte Democrats a level playing field with his big bucks...

[Dick_Tuck]

5. What's the difference between 527s and 501(c)3s?

Help me out with this. For years, the GOP has been using 501(c)3s to use stealth attacks at Democrats. Dave Bossie and Floyd Brown used Citizens United to attack Clinton. Scaife set up the Western Journalism Foundation to put forth Vince Foster myths.

This is nothing new. Move On changed the paradigm. They are a true, successful grassroots organization, where its members set policy and direction. The fact that they've been recognized by big money is very different from the cart leading the horse groups like the David Horowitz Center for Study of Popular Culture.

PS..First time poster, long time lurker. Good to be here. I'm planning to enter into the Guiness book for record numbers of being banned from right wing sites.

[Brotherjohn]

6. Welcome to DU!!

I agree with you. I didn't know the terminology, but whether or not Bush has specifically ever said he was for or against "527s" is one thing. He DID sign the campaign finance reform law. And he HAS benefitted from groups LIKE this for ages... as have all repubs (Willie Horton anyone? Ads against McCain anyone?)

You have it exactly right... now that the other side is becoming good at it (and they're being called on when they go too far), they:

CRY...

LIKE...

BABIES!