AFP accused of funneling cash to favored candidate
For now it's mostly a case of "she said he said", but it looks like the fat pink pig has strayed into the election garden:
Miller posted an attack of Rudy on her website, claiming Rudy used AFP funds to raise $25,000 for local developer Martin Aragona Jr. who is running against Miller.
What was it Dallas said the other day?
Oh yeah, here it is:
Americans For Prosperity does not endorse candidates
Again, if it walks like a duck and says nice things about somebody like a duck:
“The AFP likes my stance on the sales tax issue, and I am the only candidate in the House 15 race to sign the no tax pledge,” Aragona said. “Because of this they have said nice things about me, but I have not received one single penny from them.”
that duck should own up to its endorsing behavior.
Speaking of Dallas, he's been down East horning into local affairs himself:
The anti-tax group Americans For Prosperity said Friday it will fight to defeat New Hanover County's one-fourth cent sales tax referendum.
“We are vehemently against it,” said Dallas Woodhouse, the group's North Carolina director. “We think the New Hanover County commissioners have behaved badly. These people have an addiction to spending. Just like you don't give an alcoholic a bottle of Jim Beam, you don't gave an spendaholic more money.”
I was about to say, "If you guys keep screwing around with local elections and referenda, people are going to stop enabling your interfere-aholic behavior", but then I remembered the deep pockets of Pope and Koch...
BlueNC is dedicated to making North Carolina a more progressive and prosperous state. If your intention is to disrupt this effort, please find somewhere else to express your opinions.
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Nice
Great quotes in the article, including the one that more or less says, "AFP likes me because I'm stupid enough to sign a no tax increase pledge."
More to the point, AFP (modeling Civitas) is one of those non-profits that routinely crosses the line into electoral politics. I'm surprised they haven't merged with Brock's Wakers and D'Annunzio's Christian warriors to start a new country for crazies.
I think the lure
of the non-profit for Pope is more about projecting the illusion of non-partisan objectivity than it is about any financial concerns, which is why they're willing to push the envelope on election behavior.
To the best of my knowledge, that is.
Response
Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina State Director Responds to Absurd Charges Printed in Jacksonville Newspaper
RALEIGH─ Dallas Woodhouse, State Director of the grassroots free-market group Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina today released a detailed statement in response to charges made against the organization by North Carolina State House Candidate Tracey Louise Miller.
“In a recent news article N.C. House Candidate Tracey L. Miller made a series of erroneous and irresponsible charges against the North Carolina State Chapter of Americans for Prosperity. As the charges, however absurd, did make the print media, I feel an obligation to correct her assertions.
Americans for Prosperity has not and does not donate money to candidates for political office. To do so would violate our principles, our by-laws as well as state and federal law.
All funds raised by our local AFP chapters are sent to the state office, where they are processed and carefully recorded. These funds are placed in the general treasury of Americans for Prosperity or the Americans for Prosperity Foundation.
All expenses for our North Carolina operations, including Onslow County, are initially approved by me and reviewed by legal and accounting staff to ensure they match the high ethical standards set by our board of directors and are fully compliant with all federal and state laws.
It would be impossible for any of our local chapters to use AFP funds to support a local candidate, and candidate Miller should be more responsible with respect to scurrilous accusations.
Americans for Prosperity is an issues organization dedicated to defeating a sales tax increase in Onslow County this May that voters have already twice rejected.
It is of serious concern that two of the three candidates (Tracey Miller and Phillip Shepard) in the NC House 15 race, have not made pledges against higher taxes and are currently in support of the proposed sales tax increase.
Martin Aragona has signed the AFP no tax pledge and is on record as opposing the sales tax increase. Again, while we do not endorse candidates, we do engage in various voter education activities. Because of her stance on taxes and her lack of unqualified support for removing the cap on charter schools (See NC Family Policy Council Voter Guide and AFP Pledge), Tracey Miller may not like our voter education materials. As such we feel obliged to return all donations she has made to our organization.
Her personal attacks on our local leader Tye Rudy and our organization have been unfounded and unfair. She has not been responsible in her attacks. http://www.tracey-debow.com/newsindistrict15/whoistyerudy.html
As the North Carolina State Director of Americans for Prosperity, I am responsible for approving the selection of our local leaders. Tye Rudy has my full support.
There is a need for Americans for Prosperity in Onslow County. Electing Republicans is clearly not enough to keep taxes in check. All of the Republican Onslow county commissioners and two of three Republicans in the NC House 15 race are in support of higher taxes. Consistent with our mission we will continue to oppose tax increases and work to inform voters of the position of candidates and elected officials on a variety of issues including taxes.
While our political opponents make unwarranted complaints we will continue to work on behalf of taxpayers with honor and integrity, and without apology.”
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 975,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 30 state chapters and affiliates. More than 60,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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Response to response
Reality: Knock knock.
Dallas: "Who's there?"
Reality: "It's Reality. We need to talk."
Dallas: "Go away!"
Dos, Endosser, Dorsum, Endorse: To back, to sign on the back, pat on the back, I've got your back, etc. Contemporary example:
Dallas, this is an endorsement. You can call it anything you want to, from "voter education" to a little red wagon full of tax-free lollipops, but that doesn't change the fact that you're openly praising one candidate while finding fault with his opponents. Ergo, an endorsement.
If you think Republicans can't (also) recognize that non-endorsement endorsement for what it is, then you're demonstrating a level of contempt for their cognitive abilities that even Liberals rarely espouse.
Go ask the Federal Elections
Go ask the Federal Elections Commission, NC Board of Elections and other regulators if they see a difference. I can promise you they do
You're making the wrong argument
I'd be willing to bet the FEC and the NCBOE would classify that statement as an endorsement, to advocate for or against a specific candidate, as it were, but that's not really a (legal) problem for you.
AFP (not the Foundation) is a 501(c)(4), and you're allowed to do that to a limited degree without losing exempt status. Right?
The issue (as far as I can see) is about your credibility within Conservative circles, and saying, "We do not endorse candidates, but Billy Bob is the greatest thing since sliced whitebread" makes you look foolish.
I'm just trying to help. And if you believe that, I've got some fertile farmland down in South Florida I'd like to interest you in.