The Hollywood Liberal

Rove?s RNC ?grassroots? rival, American Crossroads, raised 97 percent of its money from four billionaires.
Compensating for damage the Republican National Committee’s unsteadiness may cause Republican candidates this fall, several high-profile GOP operatives — including Karl Rove and two former RNC chairmen — recently founded American Crossroads as a “grassroots,” “shadow RNC.” Salon’s Justin Elliott now reports that the group raised 97 percent of its funding from just four billionaires: The […]

Compensating for damage the Republican National Committee’s unsteadiness may cause Republican candidates this fall, several high-profile GOP operatives — including Karl Rove and two former RNC chairmen — recently founded American Crossroads as a “grassroots,” “shadow RNC.” Salon’s Justin Elliott now reports that the group raised 97 percent of its funding from just four billionaires:

The IRS filing of American Crossroads, an outside 527 group that was conceived by Rove and ex-RNC chair Ed Gillespie, gives a good taste of who is funding the GOP effort to make big gains in the House and Senate come the fall. … Chaired by another ex-RNC chair, Mike Duncan, American Crossroads has pledged to raise $50 million to beat Democrats in the midterms and has been seen by some as a competitor to the Republican National Committee itself.

And despite the group’s description of itself as “grassroots,” Salon’s review of its IRS filings show that four billionaires have contributed 97 percent of the $4.7 million it has raised to date. There are no limits on how much corporations, unions, and individuals can donate to 527 groups.

Elliott notes that two of the billionaire donors “made their fortune in the oil and gas industry.” One, Harold Simmons, “was the sole funder” of “a group that ran ads attempting to tie Obama to Bill Ayers in 2008.” Rove acknowledged earlier this month that his group raises money successfully largely because the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United opened the door to unlimited corporate donations in politics.

– William Tomasko

Federal budget deficit to exceed $1.4 trillion in 2010 and 2011
The federal budget deficit, which hit a record $1.4 trillion last year, will exceed that figure this year and again in 2011, the White House predicted Friday, providing fresh ammunition to Republicans who are hammering President Obama for all the red ink as they campaign to regain control of Cong…


United States federal budget – United States – Barack Obama – Economic – Deficit

Sen. Coburn cooperating with federal investigation of Nevada Sen. John Ensign
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said Friday that he has provided information to federal authorities investigating whether Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) broke the law in trying to keep secret his affair with a part-time staff member.


John Ensign – Nevada – United States – Senate – Government

Virginia senator: End affirmative action; white dominance is a “myth”
Just as race issues have returned to the forefront of political debate, Virginia Sen. James Webb (D) on Friday reiterated his opposition to some affirmative action programs and suggested that white Americans are being “marginalized” by current government policies.


Affirmative action – United States – Human Rights and Liberties – Virginia – African American

The Fix: ‘If it comes to a vote, Charlie will not win’
The news that New York Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel violated House ethics rules and could be subject to a Congressional trial — likely in September — has party strategists panicked at what such a spectacle might do to an already difficult election climate for their side.



Ethics – Democratic – New York – United States Congress – Charles B. Rangel

Hearing on Arizona’s Immigration Law Begins

More Rich Candidates Running as Populist Outsiders

Making Preventive Care Attainable
Kathleen Sebelius, Cleveland PD
Today, our health care system is more like a sick care system. Chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are responsible for seven of 10 deaths among Americans each year and account for 75 percent of the nation's health spending. But too many Americans fail to get the screenings and visits they need to help them prevent these conditions and stay healthy in the first place.That's why the Obama administration has made it a top priority to ensure that more Americans get access to life-saving preventive care. From the historic investments in prevention in the…