Reply #8: The Republican funded 527 Group "Progress for America" funding the ads. [View All]

Here is opensecret.org link to this group. Heavy ties to Bush cronies, pioneers, rangers.

http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527events.asp?orgid=6

Progress for America, 2004 Election Cycle
Formed: February 2001 | Web Site

Republican group that plans to raise tens of millions of dollars for issue-advocacy efforts, particularly TV ads, in support of GOP candidates. Will form "issue truth squads" that respond to Democratic attacks on President Bush. Seen as the Republican equivalent of The Media Fund, which aims to raise close to $100 million for pro-Democratic issue ads.

  Affiliated Personnel:
Ken Adelman, chairman (former director of arms control and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Reagan)

Tony Feather, founder (political director, Bush-Cheney '00, and a close ally of Karl Rove)

Ben Ginsberg, chief counsel (chief outside counsel for Bush-Cheney '04)

Chris LaCivita, executive director (former issue-advocacy director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee)


Donors:

Sig Rogich, one of President Bush's fundraising Pioneers and former ambassador to Iceland under President Reagan

Bush "Rangers" Alex Spanos and Dawn Arnall contributed $5 million each


  Budget:
$14 million raised so far; overall fundraising goal is $40-$60 million

  527 Activity:
  Total Receipts: $44,929,174
  Total Expenditures: $35,437,204
   Note: This data is based on records released by the Internal Revenue Service on Monday, January 03, 2005.