Swiftboaters: Coming soon to an election near you
So called “527 groups” like Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, are tax-exempt organizations named after a section in the United States tax code. Unlike political campaigns, they are not subject to regulation by the Federal Election Commission.
The Obama and McCain campaigns have asked campaign donors not to donate to 527 groups, instead saying the best way to offer support is to donate directly to their campaigns. This allows the campaign, and not independent 527 groups, to control the tone and message of their own campaigns.
The McCain campaign, however, has been “less organized” than the Obama campaign in asking donors to avoid giving to 527 groups.
A recent Washington Post article included this alarming tidbit:
“We will attack Obama viciously on all fair issues, whether they are national security, whether they are taxes or the economy,” promised Chris LaCivita, one of the Republican strategists behind the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the group that attacked Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry in 2004. LaCivita added: “At the end of the day, every individual has a right to participate in the political process whether John McCain likes it or not. It’s their constitutional right.”
Considering what this group did to John Kerry, a decorated combat veteran that served honorably in the Vietnam war, we can only assume the same despicable tactics will be used against Obama.
Tags: 527 groups, mccain, obama, swift boat, swiftboating
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