Swift Boat financier was primary source behind anti-Hatch ads

WASHINGTON — An independent group that ran ads criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch was funded mainly by a Houston homebuilder who helped finance the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth against John Kerry in 2004, a recent filing with the Internal Revenue Service shows.

Bob Perry, owner of Perry Homes, contributed $500,000 to A Stronger America, whose Minnesota chapter spent about $750,000 on TV ads and direct mail. A spokesman for the chapter, known as A Stronger America-Minnesota, confirmed that all of the money donated by Perry was spent on the Minnesota effort.

During the campaign between Hatch and GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a mailing by A Stronger America-Minnesota accused Hatch of "a 20 year pattern of intimidation, arrogance and abuse of power," and TV ads said he was under investigation for "influence peddling," and that he supported tax increases. Hatch, who said the claims against him were off-base, lost last month's race to Pawlenty.

A spokesman for Perry declined to comment on the contribution Tuesday.

(snip)

Perry, the main financier for the Swift Boat ads against Democratic candidate Kerry in the 2004 presidential race, spent $9 million financing other organizations in the 2006 election.

more…
http://www.startribune.com/587/story/886589.html

out soliciting for toys and yet this jerk exists. Only in America.

wonder if the FEC will catch this?

I would love to have that to pass on to others!

They were fined $299,500.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002141.php

Very interesting.

Perry's business will suffer and he won't have as much money in 2008 to spend undermining democracy.

a system like that in Minnesota where an individual can donate up to $50 and a couple up to $100 to a campaign of their choice (or split it among campaigns) and within 6-8 weeks, you get a refund from the state. Very efficient. All other donations should be eliminated.

Pawlenty of trouble.