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August 8, 2008
Swiftboater wannabes beware
Posted: 01:17 PM ET
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CNN political unit

Conservatives who support election-year efforts of so-called 527 groups are about to get a tough new notice: donate at your own risk.

A new liberal group, Accountable America, is offering a $100,000 reward for any information that results in “the conviction or judgment against a conservative or business-related organization” that runs afoul of federal campaign finance regulations – and planning to send “warning” letters to roughly 10,000 major Republican donors next week laying out the p.r. headaches and legal risk they could encounter if they decide to give.

In a statement sent to reporters, organizers describe the new group as “an effort to deter attempts by Republican donors aimed at ‘swiftboating’ Democrats from Barack Obama to Senate and House candidates.”

The campaign will also include a Web presence and possible television ads.

Long-time progressive operative Tom Matzzie is heading the effort – which is targeting some top McCain donors, like Sheldon Adelson, by name.

For more campaign news visit the CNN Political Ticker

16 Comments
More about: John McCain •  Raw Politics
16 Comments
Larry   August 8th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Cool. Wonder when the same rewards will apply to moveon.org?

Cindy   August 8th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

So they are only doing this to Reps huh? Well what about the Dems? Do they think that they are innocent!? PLEASE!! They are just as bad if not worse!

It seems like a scare tactic to me to get people not to give money! How ridiculous!!

Cindy...Ga.

Sarah Matthews   August 8th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

Can anyone please answer this question,
Why is John Mc Cain's war records sealed. I don't understand it as he acts like he is very proud of his war years.
Thank You.

KJ   August 8th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

I think this is as smart as the Speaker turning off the lights on the Rep. It makes the Dem.'s look petty and childlike. I was a firm Hilary voter, now I do not know which way to go. However, things like this just aggravate me enough to vote for McCain. (In truth, the Dem.'s walking out on vacation makes me mad enough to vote Republican.)

Isaac Park   August 8th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Maybe when the Democrats also gain a warranted reputation for this kind of thing, the same rewards will apply to them.

There's a reason the Republicans have a reputation for this.

Jan from Wood Dale IL   August 8th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Tom Matzzie who is the founder and chairman of Accountable America had previously been with MoveOn.org, the AFL-CIO, and the Campaign for America's Future.

I find it ironic that Accountable America calls itself a "non-partisan" group, yet boasts it is dedicated to electing Democrats to the state legislature accross America and have addressed all 10,000 letters "Dear Republican Supporter".

Just so everyone knows the difference between a 527 and a PAC (political action committee), a PAC raises money for the specific purpose of electing or defeating candidates. A 527's activities may not instruct you to vote for or against a specific candidate, but often tries to shape your opinion of a political candidate or party in the context of a specific issue.

So, does anyone think Obama might do any windsurfing in Hawaii like his BFF John Kerry did?

Breaking News: John Edwards has admitted to having an extramarital affair. How sad for his wife and children. I was really hoping the tabloid stories were wrong.

Donnie   August 8th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

I get worried when I here the canidates say "We need to free us from overseas oil". To me I'm hearing that the only change will be american oil companies making the dollars that are now going overseas. Inoder to this the oil companies need the offshore drilling for oil that belongs to us. One answer to the problem is to let them drill and cover there costs plus a profit. This could be the only way to bring the cost of gas down. Just think of it in light of supply and demand, as we cut your use of oil the supply will rise above the demand
Sorry about any misplelled word

Donnie..Ga.

Donna Dickinson   August 8th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

These new and used email Swiftboaters are destroying democracy in America. They destroyed the Presidential campaign of Senator John Kerry in 2004. As a result of their success, over 4,000 Americans are dead and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis. Remember that the person we elect may cause the death and destruction of many.

Jan from Wood Dale IL   August 8th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Just one more thing, why is this filed under John McCain category? It should be filed under silly season liberals looking for publicity. Has the DNC gone on vacation too? I'd love to hear Howard Dean's response to this group's plan. Yee Haw!

Chicago   August 8th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

Nice Obama... way to win over people with unity...

This will only hurt the dems... the hypocracy is amazing...

Tammy, Berwick, LA   August 8th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

Bush was re-elected in 2004 because Kerry was a pitiful excuse for a politician. And my friend didn't die in Iraq because of Bush. He died because some nut set off a roadside bomb that hit his vehicle. He ended up in Iraq because he volunteered to go back believing that the Iraqi people all deserved a chance at freedom safe from the nuts. I'm sure glad once again that the anti-Bush antiwar movement wasn't around during WWII. You'd have been pulling for Hitler and ignoring the death of millions because it cost American lives. I'll be sure to remember that voting for the wrong person can cause the death of many. I'll be sure to vote for McCain.

Mischelle from Illinois   August 8th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

Wow! I thought we lived in America and not the Peoples Republic of China. I hope that the first $100,000 rewards that they have to pay out (like they will, Ha) must be paid to groups that are pro-o , seems that there are quite a few that run that fine line of dirty deeds. The FBI has been busy these days investigating reports of threats by O-supporters agains non-O supporters. This is still America, right?

Sassy   August 8th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

High risk takers alright!!! Unprotected sex in to-days world!
Sassy
Ontario Can,

Larry   August 8th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

Tom Matzzie; heheh is Accountable America a branch of MoveOn.org?

Annie Kate   August 8th, 2008 9:44 pm ET

Holding donors accountable is a good thing but if they aren't going to do it to Democrats as well they just come across as vigilantes with a political agenda. Democrats have not cornered the market on honesty just like the GOP hasn't . This organization would be more acceptable if they held both sides' nose to the grindstone – hope since they aren't that they gather enough hard evidence so they don't get sued.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Larry Buchite   August 8th, 2008 11:48 pm ET

527's are the scourge of politics they attack with adds that are false and seem to be above the law. Why could the swift boat veterans for truth lie about John Kerry's service and get away with it? If you even try to question a republican's service you are called unpatriotic among other things. There are many questions about McCain's time as a pow I would like answers to. There are no reporters that will touch that are they afraid of McCain or do they just want to give him a pass. As a Vietnam era veteran I think I have a right to know what information McCain gave to the north Vietnamese.

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