A new project by CIR and NPR follows the money behind independent campaign ads leading up to the 2008 election. The Election 2008: Secret Money Project tracks the funders of ads intended to sway voters—much like the ones launched by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the independent organization that attacked Senator John Kerry in 2004.
Watch the ads. Read the analysis. See who’s paying, and who they’re connected to. A recent post on the Secret Money Project by CIR’s Will Evans:
Former Swift Boat Donor Finds New Target
Mark Udall, meet Bob Perry.
Udall, a Democratic member of Congress from Colorado, is running for Senate this year in a race that is attracting out-of-state money from all sides.
Perry, a Texas developer, gave $4.4 million to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth to help defeat John Kerry in 2004. FEC reports reveal that the Texan dropped $400,000 this month to air an ad criticizing Udall for “wasteful” spending.
Perry gave the money to the Club for Growth. The group said in a press release that the ad will be up for 2 weeks.
Watch the ad: