Conservatives Work Tax Angle in NH

Conservative groups are betting they can bring down New Hampshire Democratic Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen by making her name synonymous with taxes.

There was the Chamber of Commerce ad calling the former governor a "taxing machine." Then came the Americans for Job Security ad -- all about taxes.

And now Club for Growth has an ad running this message: "As governor, Shaheen enacted the first statewide property tax, proposed the first-ever sales tax, said she would sign the first state income tax."

Talk about staying on message.

-- Will Evans

2:33 PM ET | 09-16-2008 | permalink

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Out-Of-State Donors Fund Attack On CO Democrat

There are many donors funding the Club for Growth's recent ad against Democratic Colorado Senate candidate Mark Udall. But most of them have at least one thing in common: they're not from Colorado.

Of 19 donors contributing $517,000 for the ad, only two donors (representing a grand total of $10,000) come from Colorado, according to new filings by the Club.

The biggest donors are John Templeton of Bryn Mawr, PA. ($200,000); John Bryan of Lake Oswego, OR ($100,000); Jerry Hayden of Barrington, IL ($100,000); and Craig Johnson of Indianapolis, IN ($50,000).

Templeton has also helped bankroll the conservative group Let Freedom Ring and recently gave $100,000 to the Republican State Leadership Committee. Bryan is a reliable donor to Club For Growth. Hayden gave $10,000 last year to Newt Gingrich's 527, American Solutions for Winning the Future.

-- Will Evans and Peter Overby

6:33 PM ET | 09-12-2008 | permalink

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Club For Growth Uses Eminent Domain To Assail Dem

The anti-tax, small-government organization Club for Growth has a message for Coloradans: You could lose your home if you elect Democrat Mark Udall to the Senate.

The Club is using the threat of eminent domain -- the government's power to take over private property under some circumstances -- to clobber Udall in a new ad. After recounting the cases of an elderly man who lost his house and a family business that was forced to close, the ad says, "Liberal Mark Udall votes to make it easier for government to take private property."

The last ad Club for Growth unleashed on Udall was bankrolled by Swift Boat Veterans For Truth patron Bob Perry. Did he scrounge up a few more hundred thousand dollars for this one? We'll let you know when we find out.

-- Will Evans

3:49 PM ET | 09-10-2008 | permalink

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Conservatives Go After Embattled Republican Congressman

Republican Don Young, Alaska's congressman for nearly 36 years, has come under attack by three conservative groups.

He's under investigation on corruption allegations. His leading opponent, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, has been endorsed by Gov. Sarah Palin.

Such help as he's getting is coming from Democrats.

First, the attacks, which all play off the Justice Department investigation and Young's reputation for extravagant earmarking of federal budget dollars.

The Club For Growth PAC has this ad on Alaska TV, calling Young "just another Washington politician."

The PAC says it's also running radio ads and a telephone campaign against Young.

The congressman, never known for letting an attack go unanswered, complained to the Federal Election Commission that the "Club for Lack of Growth in Alaska," as he calls it, violated election law. CFG PAC brushed him off with another swipe at his record.

Continue reading "Conservatives Go After Embattled Republican Congressman" »

7:30 PM ET | 08-25-2008 | permalink

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Club Finds Multiple Problems With Senate Candidate

The Club for Growth hammers Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) on a host of hot-button issues in a new ad launched today. The ad criticizes Udall, New Mexico's Democratic Senate candidate, for opposing offshore oil-drilling, while supporting eminent domain and the estate tax.

The ad weaves it all together this way: "For Tom Udall, if it's private property, take it; if it dies, tax it; but if it's American oil, leave it in the ground. Tell liberal Tom Udall that American freedom comes from American resources."

Meanwhile, in July the Club for Growth's 527 took in $250,000 from Rex Sinquefield of the Show-Me Institute and $95,000 from Robert Levy of the Cato Institute, among other donations.

-- Will Evans

7:19 PM ET | 08-15-2008 | permalink

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Conservative Group Hits Republican In AK Primary

The Club for Growth hits beleaguered Rep. Don Young (R-AK) with this ad accusing him of pushing for an earmark that would benefit an out-of-state campaign contributor. Young is currently under federal investigation for corruption, including scrutiny of the Florida earmark cited by the ad. Club for Growth has endorsed Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who is challenging Young in the Republican primary. The ad buy, which starts today, will cost $350,000, according to the group.

-- Daniella De Franco

3:26 PM ET | 08-13-2008 | permalink

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Former Swift Boat Donor Finds New Target

Mark Udall, meet Bob Perry.

Udall, a Democratic member of Congress from Colorado, is running for Senate this year in a race that is attracting out-of-state money from all sides.

Perry, a Texas developer, gave $4.4 million to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth to help defeat John Kerry in 2004. FEC reports reveal that the Texan dropped $400,000 this month to air an ad criticizing Udall for "wasteful" spending.

Perry gave the money to the Club for Growth. The group said in a press release that the ad will be up for 2 weeks.

Watch the ad:

--Will Evans

4:52 PM ET | 08-11-2008 | permalink

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