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. During the 2008 United States presidential election, it became known for commercials linking Barack Obama to former Weather Underground founder William Ayers. The group has received substantial media attention. After Obama came into office, the group concentrated on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
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.
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.
See also
References
- New York Times (October 26, 2008) "Swift Boat Financier Finds Efforts Are Muted"
- ^ "Swift Boaters Start Your Engines". Mother Jones. 2008-10-02. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "FEC Complaint Filed Against Group That Ran Ayers Ad". The Washington Post. 2008-10-10. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Without 527s, Candidates Must Carry Negative Message". The Washington Post. 2008-10-06. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "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.
- Washington Post (September 14, 2008) "Group With Swift Boat Alumni Readies Ads Attacking Obama"
- "No Cavalry Coming For McCain". CBS News. 2008-10-22. Archived from the original on 25 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-29.