Group offering $100K reward for right-wing 527 takedowns Stephen C. Webster

Published: Friday August 8, 2008





Print This Email This To combat right-wing 527 groups in the 2008 election, MoveOn lobbyist Tom Matzzie is employing a technique better recognized for its roots in the wild west than American politics. Launching a new political organization called 'Accountable America' this week, he hopes to stifle the traditionally lucrative donations to GOP-leaning 527 advocacy groups by Republican donors. Matzzie, along with partner Judd Legum -- former research director to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign -- is offering a high dollar reward. In this case, $100,000 for information which leads to the takedown or federal punishment of any such group. His opening volley starts with 10,000 ominous mailings, reports the New York Times. The 'warnings' will be sent to bigwig GOP donors, cautioning them against financing 527 groups. The letters threaten potential legal or PR repercussions, should the money be moved toward any Swift Boat-style causes. Key to Matzzie's strategy is a $100,000 reward for anybody who can bring down a conservative 527. He described the tactic as "going for the jugular." His group plans to take details of the donors' personal lives into the realm of high media, promising print, Web and even televised retribution for 527 financiers. "If you want to support your candidates of choice, the most secure way remains a hard-dollar contribution," cautions Matzzie's letter to GOP supporters. "The maximum donation is $2,300 per election." Excerpts from Times article: # Chris LaCivita, a Republican strategist who helped organize the Swift Boat effort, said Mr. Matzzies group was likely to have the opposite effect on potential donors, firing them up instead of discouraging them. Theyre not going to be intimidated by some pipsqueak on the kooky left, Mr. LaCivita said. # Full article at this link READ THE LETTER (PDF link)