TPMmuckraker Paul Kiel:
Stepping up the pressure on House Democrats, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies has launched a national ad campaign criticizing Democrats for not passing the Senate's surveillance bill.
According to the group's press release, the ad "will be seen on cable and satellite stations throughout the country and is also seen locally in 17 media markets across the United States." The ads target 15 House Democrats, such as Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN). Brian Wise, the spokesman for the group, told me that the group had chosen the 15 because they were Dems "who we believe understand the issue and who would be the most effective to pushing the House leadership to vote on this." He added: "politics really has nothing to do with it."
It's similar in tone to an ad the House Republicans put together last week -- and similarly misleading. It claims that the lapse of the Protect America Act has meant that "new surveillance against terrorists is crippled."
Dems, including Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), the force behind the Senate bill, vehemently disagree. And as even The Washington Times concluded, the lapse of the law would have "little effect" on surveillance collection. ...(more)
Also, I noticed this: Sourcewatch: Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
If that's the same group, it's list of "Directors, Fellows, Personnel" of the group is comprised of many PNAC neocons and many Democrats too. Why are (or were?) Democrats incl, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA), Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) etc (and Donna Brazile) affiliated with a group that would be running these ads?
UPDATE: Begged question answered. Mcjoan:
Who's behind the shadowy organization isn't entirely clear, but it is definitely an offshoot of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, an organization that until a few days ago listed among its board of advisors Donna Brazile, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA), Zell Miller, Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). Engel, Schumer and Brazile have all resigned form the board, with Brazile making this statement [...]
There's another board member listed at FDD as "Distinguished Advisor" who hasn't resigned as a result of these false attacks. Three guesses who that would be. Yup, our old buddy Joe Lieberman.
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