Posted by The National Republican Congressional Committee has pushed its ad buy in Dothan back by a week. Is this ad from Freedom’s Watch (Quicktime, .mp4), now airing in Dothan, the reason? Freedom’s Watch has spent $11,000 for Dothan TV ads this week and has scheduled ad buys of $28,000 in Dothan for each of the next four weeks, according to a source close to the Bobby Bright campaign. By comparison, the Bright campaign was on the air in Dothan to the tune of $17,000 this week.
One line of thinking is that, being at a financial disadvantage in campaigns this year, the RNCC may have seen an opportunity to conserve some funds since Freedom’s Watch would be on the air trying to ding Democrat Bobby Bright this week anyway.
One odd note… Freedom’s Watch put this ad up on YouTube (here) but quickly took it down.
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Shoot the messenger? Isn’t the entire Love campaign based on who supports Bright? That makes any attack on Freedoms Watch fair game.
And where is the “respect” for this “well respected conservative organization?” I can’t find any supporters of Freedoms Watch with the exception of 49. Search the Internet. It’s all sleazy.
A billionaire casino boss is the founder and funder of Freedoms Watch, and he wants Jay Love in Congress. Again, no retort to this simple fact.
Solid organization? Educate yourself? It’s bank account.
Freedoms Watch doesn’t even have employees or a phone number. Even their press releases don’t have a name attached.
If #50 is their sole employee, just post the donor list, so we can see how much the casino industry has put into this “organization.”
Freedoms Watch doesn’t even have an address. What kind of organization doesn’t have an address or phone number?
Bright should be scared. The casino industry has deeeeeeeep pockets.
When you Google “Freedoms Watch and Shedon Adelson,” this is from the top link:
Adelson is one of several prominent conservatives and board members of the Republican Jewish Coalition funding Freedom’s Watch, a new White House front group[5] which on August 22, 2007, began “a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign to urge members of Congress who may be wavering in their support for the war in Iraq not to ‘cut and run’.”[6]
As of July 2008, Adelson had reportedly spent at least $30 million on political activities in the 2008 election cycle.
A Boston native, Adelson is the CEO of Las Vegas Sands. On August 17, 2007, the Associated Press reported that William P. Weidner, President/COO/Director of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, a Las Vegas, Nevada, resort and casino and another Freedom’s Watch supporter, said that Adelson, who “keeps a home in Massachusetts and pays taxes in the state,” had been lobbying local officials “to legalize casino gambling” in Massachusetts.
Here is another segment from an April story about Freedoms Watch. It’s clearly the Adelson show:
Although the organization was founded by a coterie of prominent conservative donors last year, the roughly $30 million the group has spent so far has come almost entirely from the casino mogul Sheldon G. Adelson, the chairman and chief executive of the Sands Corporation, who was recently listed as the third-richest person in the country by Forbes magazine.
“What has happened here is pretty much you had a single donor who essentially dictates the way things occur or do not occur,” said one of the Republican operatives.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/12/us/politics/12freedom.html?pagewanted=2
Hey, do you guys think this Adelson cat will put me up in the “Rainman” suite if quit taking these Love staffers to the woodshed?
I wonder how much the house comp is?
Also, has anyone seen a picture of Ari Fleischer? Or watched him on Fox News? Freedom’s Watch my ass. Who’s he protecting us from? The Tooth Fairy.
They are “investing in” Jay Love. So? Isn’t that what the sharecropper would say? Remember Bright folks, the people that are “investing in” your boy are not exactly deacon material…
Pelosi is liberal. But she’s not a casino owner with billions invested in China.
Folks – political money is a game that everyone always tries to play, and the voters never care.
Did you vote for Sue Bell or Drayton based on McGregor money? Trial Money? or the fact that one looked like Ichabod Crane and one played in the choir at church?
Marinate on that for aminute Love fans, and see if you still think you’re on the winning team.
Like it. I’m marinating.
Wow. Talk about the Bright folks freaking out. The ship is sinking, huh?
Text below is from the freedomswatch website….. Sounds like a good group to me. But sure, I can understand why the Bright folks don’t like them – the group promotes conservative values.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION? Freedom’s Watch was formed to promote the common good and general welfare of the American people by supporting mainstream conservative public policies. We engage in grassroots lobbying, education and information campaigns, and issue advocacy to further our goals and objectives. We also seek to create coalitions and collaborate with like-minded groups and individuals to further our common goals. Freedom’s Watch provides a credible conservative voice and strong leadership on pressing domestic and international issues to keep America strong, safe, and prosperous.
HOW DO WE OPERATE? Freedoms Watch is run like a business and organized like a campaign. We are structured as a perpetual issue advocacy operation that tackles generational issues important to America’s economic, social, and physical security. We are not, and never will be, beholden to any one person, political party, or election cycle. We engage, shape, influence, and advance issues that can only be properly addressed over time, while being nimble enough to react immediately to current events. We partner with and fund third parties that are recognized for the great work they do, empowering them to do even better.
HOW ARE WE FUNDED? At Freedom’s Watch, our core donors—comprised of individuals and corporate entities at various giving-levels—serve as the membership base of the organization. Freedom’s Watch solicits funding from all industry sectors to ensure the long-term viability of the organization and to expand its invested stakeholders. Our supporters are like-minded Americans who believe in democratic give-and-take, issue advocacy, and education campaigns to advance a conservative agenda. Our donors make Freedom’s Watch uniquely positioned to balance our well-funded opposition and be a powerful voice for conservative values.
WHY SUPPORT FREEDOMS WATCH? Freedom’s Watch distinguishes itself as the first full-time nonpartisan movement dedicated to preserving, protecting, and defending conservative principles and promoting a conservative agenda. In the past, the conservative movement came strongly together during election cycles but weakened its presence during off-cycles. Freedom’s Watch is a long-term movement that will be a force for conservative action from year-to-year. Freedom’s Watch is dedicated to helping build a stronger, more unified conservative movement for generations to come.
CORE ISSUE AREAS: We will have four fundamental issue areas that are generational in breadth and scope.
The dangers of radical Islam and the emerging Iranian threat
Advancing a conservative agenda and market-based solutions to pressing domestic problems
Standing up to Big Labor’s radical agenda
Preventing the degeneration of our society by stopping the legalization of controlled substances.
Can you find something good about Freedoms Watch that doesn’t come off their own website?
I can make a website saying that Herpies Symplex 10 will make your life better, but it won’t be true.
Any “group” that is funded by casino money is still a festering boil in the body politic… regardless of what a webpage says. A webpage, it should be added, that has no phone number or contact person.
Bright should be scared. Love cut some deal with this Adelson character. Billionaire with e ‘B.”
This could not have been scripted better. Mr. Conservative Christian Values backed by a casino owner. The only thing Bright’s people need to worry about is Bright being willing to take Love to task for this.
The website says “How Are We Funded,” but they don’t have “Who Funds Us.” And they don’t disclose it. The only undisputed reference I can find is that Adelson put in $30 million. So, unless Freedoms Watch is willing to disclose its donors, it’s still the Adelson show — 100% casino cash. This is a gift to Bright.
“I love it when all the Bright folks start running scared. Their venom really comes out…”
-Anon Post 25
“Too bad all Bright’s supporters on here are so worried that now they want to throw stones at campaign staff. Laughable…. Bright is sinking.”
-Anon Post 33
“I guess the ad against Bright stings, huh? Truth hurts.”
-Anon Post 38
“Bright and apparently his supporters on here are getting worried. He is losing ground.”
-Anon Post 42
“Bright’s folks must be worried. All this shoot the messenger stuff. Freedom’s Watch is a well respected conservative organization.”
-Anon Post 49
“Wow. Talk about the Bright folks freaking out. The ship is sinking, huh?”
-Anon Post 62
Hey, are you the same person over and over? A little originality will probably carry you a little further, Man.
Now let’s see, Mayor Bright doesn’t want to criticize Freedom’s Watch. Well, let me take the lead here…they’re a “non-partisan” front for a simpleton Republican agenda. Which doesn’t actually bother me, since most of the knuckle-draggers buying this crap are paddling the wrong way up the river anyway. Hell, paddle harder, I’m going to get a beer.
I’ve already hit the high points of their nonsense in other posts, so feel free to peruse those at your convenience.
And I’ve got to side with MrJinks from above, the “good ole boy” ads are only going to be effective for so long. There’s something to be said for doing it the right way, but only if you win. There are ways to highlight differences and appear positive without actually sounding like a “red-headed stepchild” who didn’t get any ice cream after dinner.
So, Goofballs of the Toilet Empire, I’m still offering up a truce for a two-week stay at The Venetian.
I’m gonna bet the house on Blue.
Two weeks at the Venetian!
I’ll take it! If… and that’s a small word with a BIG meaning…
You get me house money to play Black Jack. I’m only talking 10K a day.
Chump change for Mr. A.
The Venetians suite have 42″ TV’s in the BATHROOM!
Anon 69,
You and I all the way!
Give it up, Mr. A. I’m ready to party!
After analyzing that ad more closely, I noticed that the green color is actually money. That’s an effect you don’t see too often — a background built entirely out of cash. Bright has his hands full.
It’s not coincidence that the NRCC cancelled its media buy and then Freedoms Watch made a buy. If the Federal Election Commission had enough Commissioners, this would be a prime target for investigation. Regardless, it all comes out in the end.
Bright is running a response to this ad. He says he doesn’t even have a vote on the city council and people should know the facts. Well, the fact is Bright supported the increase and he has veto power that he failed to exercise. The ad is accurate by saying he supported it…he did.
In terms of Bright sinking or getting stung, etc. I do agree that the ad may be having an effect based on all of the over the top postings trying to tear down freedom’s watch. I think the Bright supporters on here are total hypocrits. If freedom’s watch ran ads in support of Bright, for example, they would think it was great.
Bright is also runnng a new ad that Danny just posted. Pretty good I think.
WELL WELL WELL *******the negative ads from the Democrat national committee have started*****
I just saw it. An ad criticizing love for not giving health insurance to those that worked at his sub shops? geez, how many part time workers at subway expect health benefits? Nevertheless, the whole point is, BRIGHT IS A MASSIVE HYPOCRIT NOW. I am thrilled this is happening as so many on here talked about how great bright was and how different and he was so positive, etc. EVEN BETTER, THE AD SAYS PAID FOR BY THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE. So these ads both show that Bright goes negative AND remind folks the democrats are bankrolling him and he is ONE OF THEM. I love it!!! I thought this would not happen until October and wondered if Bright would FOLLOW HIS PLEDGE….HE DID NOT! I knew this would come. The race just turned – and not in Bright’s favor. By doing this, he is a total hypocrit and so are all his supporters. PAID FOR BY THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE…….PRICELESS.
number 16
how about mccain/palen/figures/bright
republicans know how to split a ticket
Yeah, please keep advertising that Vivian Figures and Bobby Bright are on the same ticket. I beg of you please keep saying that!
I have never voted for a Democrat. Love and his campaign ads are making everyone sick! People are deciding who to vote for on a daily basis! Every day, Love is making more and more people sick to their stomachs. He won’t even talk to the camera for an interview. He has one of his pee-odds talk to the press every time! Grow up Love and talk for yourself! It would sure make for a better campaign. Todd is NOT doing you any good. Actually, I think looking at the grease makes for a worse message to the public.
#77 i will vote for figures over sessions any time !
I would love to know if what Hilary is thinking as she watches this unfold