Yesterday, Ami Bera wrote about Karl Rove protecting Dan Lungren. Today he went statewide. A shadowy Virginia-based group funded by the oil industry, tobacco companies, and health insurance industry -- and run by Karl Rove -- is trying to sway the outcome of the race for California Attorney General. This is an unprecedented move in a down-ballot race, and the money is being used to create cynical commercials for political gain.
Rove's group, the "The Republican State Leadership Committee," has purchased $1.1 million of TV airtime to run vicious ads attacking our campaign. And who exactly is funding this group's attacks? The very polluters, cigarette manufacturers, and insurance industry giants who I will stand up to as Attorney General.
Of course we are going to stand up to this outside money. You can contribute online to help us fight back.
To be clear, these are many of the usual Republican suspects. Organizations that fight against environmental and consumer protections are lining up to come to the aid of Steve Cooley, because they know that Cooley will fall into line with their agenda. (There is more in the extended diary.)
The oil industry, tobacco companies, insurance giants and pharmaceutical companies think that the Attorney General race can be bought. They know, as you know, that I will fight for all Californians, combating mortgage fraud, promoting a green economy, and working for a fair health care system. This is only a partial list of some of the donors to this shadowy effort funding the attack ads.
Major Special Interest Contributions to the Republican State Leadership Committee U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- $1.15M
American Justice Partnership -- $925,000
Blue Cross/Blue Shield -- $918,068
Reynolds American - $690,161
Altria Group -- $483,545
Devon Energy -- $350,000
Citigroup Inc -- $200,399
Wal-Mart Stores -- $195,276
PhRMA -- $150,861
