Holding America Conservatives Accountable (Updated)
[Guest post by DRJ]
CNN’s Political Ticker and the New York Times take note of a new liberal group called Accountable America. CNN describes it as headed by “long-time progressive operative and former MoveOn.org Washington director Tom Matzzie” whose goal is to deter conservatives from donating to 527 groups that might “swiftboat” Barack Obama and other liberals:
“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 is planning to send “warning” letters to roughly 10,000 major Republican donors next week laying out the PR headaches and risks they could encounter if they decide to donate outside the legal boundaries.”
Southern California blogger Donald Douglas at American Power has a roundup on reaction to Accountable America as well as more on Tom Matzzie and Matzzie’s prior anti-war ventures.
As for me, I want to congratulate Matzzie for realizing capitalism is the best way to get things done in America, although these letters sound more like the Mafia than good business.
UPDATED 8/9/2008: According to the New York Times The Caucus, Accountable America is an arm of the Accountability Now PAC. Instead of the $1M it hoped to raise from its recent money bomb, the PAC has currently raised $151,695.
— DRJ
Since this is a concerted effort, can the lawyers here explain how this is not activity that falls under the RICO laws. This sure sounds like Racketeering by a Corrupt Organization to me. Threatening “PR headaches” for donating to conservative non-profit groups?
“Nice donation you got here. Be a shame if’n anyfing happened to it, woodnit?”
Drumwaster (5ccf59) — 8/8/2008 @ 10:42 amFreedom of speech is a wonderful thing.
Peter (e70d1c) — 8/8/2008 @ 10:56 amIsn’t this threatening them even if they stay inside the legal boundaries? Is it actionable?
And would it be a copyright violation to send photocopies of the letter to leftist donors?
htom (412a17) — 8/8/2008 @ 10:57 amMoveOn.org Washington director Tom Matzzie aka long-time progressive operative and former, but let’s not repeat ourselves…this little twerp is nothing more than another Liberal Fascist wannabee!
Moultrie (0c2c01) — 8/8/2008 @ 11:15 amBut President Bush is the bad guy, dontcha know?!
JD (75f5c3) — 8/8/2008 @ 11:50 amIf it weren’t for the stigma associated, I’d say that someone should start giving out ball gags or something similar with ‘democratic policy’ written on them. Between this and the ‘fairness doctrine,’ it seems they are interested in silencing their opponents.
Joral (5ec61e) — 8/8/2008 @ 11:54 amIt might backfire and rally conservatives.
Stu (1f4971) — 8/8/2008 @ 11:54 amI think the better question is: isn’t the Democratic party required to list whatever donations this group receives as direct contributions? They cannot be a non-profit, right? Because they list a partisan affiliation, right?
Carolynp (a200f6) — 8/8/2008 @ 11:55 amI hope they keep doing more of this stuff. It’s so incredibly offensive and stupid it’s likely to blow right up in their faces. I want more.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:06 pmHm. We need to get the reward in escrow, then commit the most trifling flaw possible that results in a tiny legit judgement. Then collect the money.
Have to look up my federal campaign finance regulations.
luagha (5cbe06) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:13 pmI like the way you think… 🙂
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:16 pmGee, Liberals threatening to use lawyers and the courts to strongarm their way into getting what they want. Yawn — seen it.
Icy Truth (db73ab) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:20 pmThis is just like Bob Beckel and Bob Mulholland trying to blackmail the Electoral College electors to vote for Gore in 2000. Beckel got fired from CNN and Mulholland had to crawl back under his rock in California.
PCD (5c49b0) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:28 pmBob Mulholland and rocks…
Another Drew (722aad) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:36 pmIt is truly unfortunate that once he crawled under that rock, an 18-wheeler didn’t roll over it.
email them at
Not a Yank (a47dbe) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:47 pminfo@accountableamerica.com and ask to be put on the list. Stalinist wannabees need to know who really opposes them.
I posted too soon. It looks like they have closed that account. Have to find another email address to let them know what I think of them.
Not a Yank (a47dbe) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:49 pmThere is also no telephone number listed in the DC area for this Neo-Stalinist group.
Not a Yank (a47dbe) — 8/8/2008 @ 12:53 pmThen why do your guys want to stop it?
Lord Nazh (899dce) — 8/8/2008 @ 1:16 pm#18. Who wants to stop it? I want to get on their little Stalinist mailing list as well as to let them know that it takes a real thug to intimidate me, not a postal carrier.
Not a Yank (a47dbe) — 8/8/2008 @ 2:04 pmWe should all get on their mailing list to drain their available funds, without any chance of a return on those funds.
Another Drew (722aad) — 8/8/2008 @ 2:13 pmMaybe this is just a plot to collect our mailing addresses?
htom (412a17) — 8/8/2008 @ 2:14 pmYes, they need to know where you live so that they can dispatch the thugs from SEIU…
Another Drew (722aad) — 8/8/2008 @ 2:41 pmBut, before they do that, they had better cross-match those addresses against the local CCW lists (if avail).
Might save a lot of hospital, or worse, expenses.
Easy to make this backfire. I vowed to hold on to my money this election cycle (haven’t donated since 04) as punishment of the RINO’s. Now I will donate $50 to the federal campaign, $50 to the state and $50 to local conservative candidates, immediately. If one million+ conservatives strike back the conservative candidates will be flush with funds.
Scrapiron (c36902) — 8/8/2008 @ 2:49 pmIf you get on they’re mailing list use any PrePaid envelopes they send, stuff them with republican campaign materiel and return them. Double whammy.
Scrapiron (c36902) — 8/8/2008 @ 2:51 pmI do this with any McCain stuff I get sent. 🙂
And where it asks for donations, I mark the “Other” box, and write “I’m voting for you. Be thankful you’re getting that much.”
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 8/8/2008 @ 3:36 pmsorry NaY but my comment was to Peter #2
Lord Nazh (899dce) — 8/8/2008 @ 3:39 pmDoesn’t this seem to be another front organization from George Soros’ 400 million pie that he promised to fund to defeat Sen. McCain?
eaglewingz08 (013c81) — 8/8/2008 @ 4:13 pmWhat is it with Republicans? Ok, the left has its plethora of faults, but the GOP has assholes in Congress who seem intent on giving Obama and Reid cover on the energy issue. Five Rethugs in the gang of ten want to make it easy for dems to ignore further drilling for oil. None of the five are up for election. Well, perhaps doofus Lindsey Graham might be McCain’s vp pick. How come conservatives are not outraged that Repubs want to surrender an issue when they have dems on the run and public supporting energy independence. Clueless bozos!
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 8/9/2008 @ 3:59 amIowahawk gets a letter from Accountable America. Don’t miss it!
DRJ (8b9d41) — 8/11/2008 @ 8:06 amI’d suggest Accountable America and their financial backers read 42 U.S. Code § 21 before proceeding.
Neo (cba5df) — 8/11/2008 @ 11:45 am42 U.S. Code § 1985 (3)
Neo (cba5df) — 8/12/2008 @ 9:57 amDude, Iowahawk brought Leinenkugel?
He’s so invited to my next fundraiser…
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 8/12/2008 @ 10:06 am