The American Issues Project is a political action group organized as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, so that it can engage in limited amounts of civic campaigning, but cannot legally advocate for or against candidates.[1] During the 2008 United States presidential election, it became known for commercials linking Barack Obama to former Weather Underground founder William Ayers.[2] The group has received substantial media attention.[3][4] After Obama came into office, the group concentrated on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[5]

The AIP was co-founded by conservative political activists Tony Feather (also a co-founder of the conservative 527 group Progress for America) and Chris LaCivita.[2][6]

Funding for AIP, which spent close to $3 million for the Ayers ads, is provided by Harold Simmons, who previously gave $3 million to fund Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and another $500,000 to Progress for America.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ New York Times (October 26, 2008) "Swift Boat Financier Finds Efforts Are Muted"
  2. ^ a b "Swift Boaters Start Your Engines". Mother Jones. 2008-10-02. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  3. ^ "FEC Complaint Filed Against Group That Ran Ayers Ad". The Washington Post. 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  4. ^ "Without 527s, Candidates Must Carry Negative Message". The Washington Post. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  5. ^ "VIDEO: Group counters stimulus with Jesus in TV ad". The Politico. 2009-02-20. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
  6. ^ Washington Post (September 14, 2008) "Group With Swift Boat Alumni Readies Ads Attacking Obama"
  7. ^ "No Cavalry Coming For McCain". CBS News. 2008-10-22. Archived from the original on 25 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
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