DU's Instincts Are Right About TLP -- Its FEC Filing Proves The "Opportunist Apostate" Argument

[ancianita]

Last edited Fri Oct 16, 2020, 09:37 AM - Edit history (1)

Beware temporary allies, and certainly never donate to them.

this is not the first time that the Lincoln Project has come under fire for suspicious financial behavior. In their Q1 FEC filing, the Lincoln Project reported that they raised 1.4 million dollars and spent nearly 90% of it on “overhead costs.” Open Secrets reports that in Q1, “almost all of that money went to the group’s board members and firms run by them. The super PAC spent nearly $1 million with Summit Strategic Communications, a firm run by Lincoln Project treasurer Reed Galen. Another $215,000 went to Tusk Digital, a company run by Lincoln Project adviser Ron Steslow.”

It would be one thing if all the donations were from the super-wealthy, but a large proportion of the Lincoln Project’s donations are from small donors who are truly trying to do everything they possibly can to help drive Trump from office.

It’s hard to understand how their ads could cost tens of millions of dollars, especially when some of their content is shamelessly plagiarized from other accounts on social media that never get compensated...

The American people deserve to know if these Dick Cheney office alumni are exploiting the public’s revulsion at President Donald Trump and making a personal profit off of civic-minded citizens who are expending some of their meager resources to in hopes of fighting for a better future for this nation — a nation which is in this position now because of the men who run the Lincoln Project and the Republican Party they’ve spent their entire careers working for.

More graphs and opinion at https://washingtonpress.com/2020/10/15/lincoln-project-fec-filing-shows-millions-of-donor-dollars-funneled-to-personal-companies/

Link to tweet

[mucifer]

1. I won't give them a dime BUT they are spending million of dollars on swing state ads

They may be one of the many factors that swing the election to Joe Biden and several democratic senators.

I donate money directly to the candidates. But, I'm still glad they are putting up powerful ads in swing states.

[hlthe2b]

2. THIS is a concerted effort by Trumpists to attack TLP. I am pragmatic about their support

but, it is clear that they ARE spending overwhelming $$ collected on the effort to rid us of the Trump scourge. After that, we can AND SHOULD return to our very opposite corners.

But, THIS is just helping out Trump and I'm afraid you are helping by disseminating this overt effort.

The Daily Beast reported on this yesterday in their five-minute podcast making it clear that it is a concerted attack to discount the very effective Lincoln Project efforts. Yes, you may say, Rick Wilson does write for TDB, but this was from their independent reporters who are not part of Lincoln Project. Of course, like some we know, you can acclaim "fake news" or "media bias" or whatever but... The RNC thanks you for the boost.


https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-the-financial-workings-of-the-nevertrump-pac-driving-trump-crazy

[ancianita]

4. Yes. AND I'm supporting DU's discussions about TLP's trustworthiness. I'm not rejecting their help.

Just putting their temporary alliance into perspective. We need to return to our very opposite corners, yes. However.

Know what helps Trump? Rebuilding the Republican Party in the Bush/Cheney image, that's what. I'm afraid you are wrong.

Have they left their party? Don't think so. Will they use PAC and dark money in the future to rebuild our opponents? Hell, yes.

So they can continue past Nov 3 without us.

[hlthe2b]

6. Yet you are disseminating an uncorroborated hit piece on them at the very time we NEED their help.

and you don't deny the evidence of spending in the states where they have claimed to be doing so--nor the incredibly effective ad campaigns they have produced and incorporated.

[ancianita]

7. You want to hear them in their own words? Bottom line, THEY ARE KEEPING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ALIVE.

[hlthe2b]

9. and you'd prefer that Trump win thereby keeping the Trump-Republican Party Alive? Honest to gawd..

[ancianita]

14. What is with you? Of course not! Just beware their ultimate goal. Yes, let them keep up the ads.

So you're saying that if they disappeared tomorrow, we'd lose, -- that's your implication you make about how crucial they are to Democrats' winning. They're not.

You are purposely criticizing a fellow Democrat -- that I'm "disseminating," i.e., hurting Democrats -- for claiming DU's instincts are right not to mistake these guys for allies.

[hlthe2b]

15. There is NO ONE here who needs this admonishment not to give over our full trust to former R's

What is wrong with you in thinking otherwise? But, helping the RNC disseminate this hit piece is hardly the way to ensure our success. And yes, you ARE disseminating a RW hit-piece on an allied group trying to help DEMOCRATS win.

[ancianita]

17. You interpret me back to me? Reread the OP title.

This source is a hit piece because of the facts of these guys' history? Because of an FCC filing? And their using donations to support other preferable Republicans? Are you serious?

This is evidence. This is not "helping." And not admonishment. Take it or leave it. I know what I'm about.

[hlthe2b]

18. You deign to speak for ALL DUERs? Really? Neither of us do.

That said, not many on this thread agreeing with you.

[ancianita]

26. Of course not. So now your issue is over wording in the OP. If I meant ALL, I'd have written ALL.

So, do you do this when others use "DU" in their titles? It's a common OP usage around here. Given your challenge, one would think you're being aggressively critical.

As long as people on the thread state their position about the info and its meaning, I've got no problem with that. Unity isn't uniformity of opinion.

Praise their ads, like their attack dog style. But trust that they think like Democrats? No. Their spending shows they don't.



Again. The point: the FEC filing proves DU'ers are right not to trust TLP.

[hlthe2b]

29. No. As I've written repeatedly, my issue is with you disseminating a RW hit piece.

on an important ally of ours which means the damage extends to OUR efforts as well.

[ancianita]

40. On a RW group! You give a source that's agreed with DU's take on these allies too much

power and credit. And then bash a DU'er who agrees with their not dissimilar take expressed by other DU'ers.

Like their message all you want -- hell, I like them, too -- but don't put me down for my distrust -- hell, everyone else has in this thread -- and don't ignore who they are and what they do behind the hype. The Project has been criticized for channelling most of the group’s spending through two of the founders’ consulting firms. Galen, who owns one of the firms whose Project collaborators are Republicans who don’t want to be publicly identified. Keeping this party alive is the long term goal. We know they and the people they want to get to vote against Trump are never going to be Democrats.

But to raise the issue that we need to shut up while our allies are working for dual ends? That doesn't work for me.

If I were to believe you, the Democrats couldn't win without these guys. I beg to differ. Trump and his 5th column gang provide enough material. Think Democrats don't have fight ad potential?

One recent example among many...

The Biden campaign tweeted a ten-second video of Trump promising supporters that, if he loses, “I will never speak to you again,” and appended a snarky caption: “I’m Joe Biden and I approve this message.”

[hlthe2b]

41. Stop it. No one is bashing you, just your actions in disseminating a RW hit piece against our ally

[MrsCoffee]

22. DU's instincts?

Do tell....

[Mike 03]

8. What is concerning is that this looks like Trump Campaign misinformation. NT

[ancianita]

13. Are you shade casting here about my being a dupe? I go by FEC filings of their spending.

Reread the article. If you want, I can post their own words about their party rebuilding intentions after Nov 3.

... they actually want to defeat Trump so much as they and the rest of their fellow blood-drenched Iraq War promoters like Bill Kristol and Jennifer Rubin and Max Boot can remain politically relevant ...

Rick Wilson helped get Trump ally Rudy Giuliani elected Mayor of New York with a wildly racist, fearmongering campaign — just like the one Trump is running now.

Do you think he really has changed his beliefs? The whole slew of them worked for George W. Bush, who left this country in the throes of the worst recession in a century while New Orleans lay in ruins, the deficit reaching the stratosphere and hundreds of thousands of innocents dead in Iraq.

[mucifer]

25. One thing to note the major players in TLP are podding together. They are frequent testing and

isolating together in an undisclosed place and not wearing masks when they are together like the NBA. That is probably much of the overhead. Millions continue to go from them to the swing states for the Presidential and Senate races.

[ancianita]

32. Yeah, that's all great. Full credit on the enlightened self interest.

[Mike 03]

5. +1

Agree.

Furthermore, I don't feel these numbers are out of line with what they are providing. And they are the providers, so their companies will produce product and get paid for it.

Just like Hawkfish produced Bloomberg's ads and did all the data analytics and numbers crunching (which, by the way, he shared with the DNC and American Bridges PAC).

When I donate to TLP that is what I'm donating for: For them to use their experience, yes their companies, to help us win this election. I'm not donating so that they can hire other people who can't do what they can do. In essence, donors are hiring them to do exactly what they are doing.

I've donated to TLP several times and I have not one regret. It was money well spent.

[greenjar_01]

24. Exactly right. I'll worry about the "opportunist apostates" when we're done with the

"nation-destroying dictator."

An obvious coordinated campaign, including close to home, ahem.

[ancianita]

31. One source's opinion that mirrors DU discussions suddenly becomes a "coordinated campaign," eh.

[greenjar_01]

33. It's pretty clear what's being done

Last kick for this trash.

[Dem2]

38. Agreed

This thread is garbage.

Can the O/P WAIT UNTIL WE WIN THE ELECTION before trying to sour the relationship (there is no relationship, they are an independent group)?

[qazplm135]

3. Don't care

They are running effective ads not just against Trump but Republican senators.

Until the election is over, they are allies.

After, they go back to being enemies.

And if they make some money, don't care.

[Solomon]

11. Precisely!

[pecosbob]

10. Few people read enough news to ever hear this story

Suffice that informed progressives know not to trust ratf*ckers just because they seem to be temporarily on our side...we made an ally of Stalin in 1941.

[GemDigger]

12. This sounds like trumps lapdogs at the FCC doing his dirty work.

With all the shit the R's are pulling and they are checking out someone who is against trump. Now if the FCC were also checking out some of the other dirty ones then and only then would I give this anything more than a grain of salt.

[ancianita]

16. Or they're just printing out spending reports. You don't want to know TLP's spending, up to you.

Better to have the info and slot it away for future reference, than to reject it as an indicator of future performance.

[GemDigger]

21. So you trust trumps FCC more? 60 minutes had an interview with TLP last Sunday.

It may be worth watching if you haven't seen it. They basically have burned the bridge to the R party. They know they will never be able to work for the party again.

Geebers, we ask for the republicans to leave this president and then we stomp on them for helping us when they do. I have to wonder what the hell is wrong with us...

Slotted away for future reference in a mountain of salt.

[ancianita]

28. FEC. I meant FEC. That 60 minutes show? I posted that.

Why does a repost of numbers have to be about trusting the FEC more.
Show me proof why Democrats should not trust FEC numbers that implicate Republicans, and I'll give this some consideration.

[Demsrule86]

39. I do not trust or respect anything that comes out of this White House or entities they can control.

And it seems mighty convenient that this comes out now...TLP is doing some great work against Trump.

[ancianita]

44. They have. If you trust TLP's spending, fine. I don't. I'm looking beyond their great work

against Trump, and will not be confused when, in the future, they rebuild their party. Their spending right now shows their future alliance. What's coming out now is a reminder -- not a hit piece -- of where they come from and who they still are -- Republicans.

Being aware of that fact is just as important as a 'don't-bring-me-no-bad-news' TLP appreciation thread.

[Vinnie From Indy]

19. I am glad they are part of the 2020 election cycle

I don't care about the rest right now.

[phylny]

20. TLP has run some of the best ads, going so low that the Biden/Harris campaign doesn't

have to.

I'm good with it.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

23. c'mon peeps. dont you know a hit job when you see one?

gimme a break.

[ancianita]

30. Then they can take it, if they're so great, can't they.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

35. i doubt they give 2 shits.

and they know why they got hit.

[Demsrule86]

36. Some want to believe this against all evidence.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

37. some want a savior.

i get it. but they are sure quick to throw stones.

[Demsrule86]

42. Very true, And I have found that many in our party look to the president as a savior...but we

must save ourselves. No one will do it for us.

[ancianita]

43. +1

[JI7]

27. lol

[Demsrule86]

34. I think TLP has done a great job and is helping us defeat Trump...

And this is merely attempting to throw muck on them through people they associated with...Cheney people for example. Who likes Cheney? But many GOP types are against this president and that is a good thing. Ever hear of Reagan Democrats? The fact is we only win in the Democratic Party if we have a big tent. I remember how people used to complain abut Blanch Lincoln and others but we had a senate majority back then and in many states, we have no choice but to run moderate candidates.

Will this mean some of what we want won't pass ? Yes it will. But we will still get some of our policy passed as we build up demand for other policies. The ACA is a good example of creating demand through legislation. And with a Senate majority, we will get judges of all sorts. I believe no judges will be confirmed without holding both the Senate and the presidency going forward. Thus we must consider what it takes and will take in the future to hold a majority...we need at least eight years...hopefully more. We need to add DC and Puerto Rico as states not just because four more Senate seats would be great for our side, but because it is the right thing to do.

I believe Joe Biden has the ability to rise to the occasion as FDR did during this dark time of economic collapse and Pandemic-thus saving the Republic and millions of lives. And I welcome help from TLP and others that are working to get him elected.

[Happy Hoosier]

45. Stop the navel gazing.

These guys are damaging Trump. I have not donated to them, but I wish them the best of luck. We'll worry about the rest after we evict 45.

[ancianita]

49. Accuse Charlie Pierce and The New Yorker for navel gazing, while you're at it.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a33327582/ben-howe-lincoln-project-republican-party/

I posted numbers and two sources' take on this group. Too soon for your comfort level, eh?

"Worry"? I'm not worried. With the money they've got, I don't wish them the best of luck because they know when to butter which side of their bread.

[Happy Hoosier]

53. Oh, there is PLENTY of it. NT

[Imperialism Inc.]

46. Yep. The Lincoln Project are grifters who unfortunately found some easy marks.

[Sympthsical]

47. They lost their Republican gravy train

Now they want on ours. And some people on our side are eager to play conductor.

No, no thank you.

We only need humor them a few more weeks. The people who defend and praise these people after the election are going to get some major side eye from me. These are right-wingers at heart. Once Biden is in, tee up for some sensible centrism to start coming in, and how we have to cater to their conservative views because they’re part of our coalition now.

Which is some bullshit, but the centrists among us who live to bash the Left will get to work using them as allies against progressives. Keep an eye out for a new round of attacks that we’re all just “purists” if we’re even vaguely questioning.

I’d lay a mortgage payment on this one. It’s already starting.

[ancianita]

48. THIS.

Once Biden is in, tee up for some sensible centrism to start coming in, and how we have to cater to their conservative views because they’re part of our coalition now.

Which is some bullshit, but the centrists among us who live to bash the Left will get to work using them as allies against progressives. Keep an eye out for a new round of attacks that we’re all just “purists” if we’re even vaguely questioning.

Thank you.

[Hotler]

50. "It's already starting." It sure is. nt

[melman]

51. Right wing grifters

That's all they've ever been. But people don't want to know.


You can show proof right from the FEC and they still scream "unsubstantiated Trumpist hit piece..etc"

[ancianita]

52. ikr?