Kerry hires online chief from MoveOn (collusion with 527 org alert)

cnn ^ | Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | From John Mercurio

[dennisw]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- John Kerry has hired an Internet-savvy Democrat to run his presidential campaign's online communications, a move that raises new questions about the link between his campaign and the independent groups that run TV ads on his behalf.

Zach Exley, the director of special projects for the MoveOn PAC, is going to the Kerry campaign to become its director of online communications and organization.

Exley also worked during the Democratic presidential primary for Howard Dean, helping Dean set up his web-based organization.

MoveOn has spent roughly $17 million on ads since it started running its "misleader" campaign against Bush last year.

Republicans said Exley's move reinforces their accusations that Kerry and his Democratic allies are circumventing the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law they fought so hard to enact. (GOP challenges anti-Bush ads)

"It's another example of the coordination between MoveOn.org and the Kerry campaign that is illegal under campaign finance law," a Bush campaign official said.

"The Media Fund and MoveOn are functioning as Kerry's slush fund, a shadow Democratic Party that's illegally using soft dollars."

"In addition to the obvious questions his hiring raises about further illegal coordination between the Kerry campaign and MoveOn.org, you have to wonder what hiring someone who considers Hitler comparisons to be legitimate political discourse says about the Kerry campaign," Gillespie said in a statement issued Wednesday.

[what's up]

This would be the equivalent of Bush hiring O'Neil to a high profile place in his campaign.

Where's the outrage from the media?

[CzarNicky]

Send in the IRS NOW!

[Not A Snowbird]

Is that legal?

Hey, McCain! Is that legal? Is that what you guys had in mind with Campaign Finance Reform?!

[eyespysomething]

huh, well whould'a thunk something like this would happen?

We'll see if it gets any mention.

[PJ-Comix]

And here is the predicted MSM reaction to this news: "When will Bush disavow the Swiftboat Vets 527 ads which are financed by a rich Texas Republican?"

[Luke]

Is there any doubt, in anyone's mind, that he has not been connected since day one!?

[Frank_Discussion]

Why are you posting stories from April?

[OneTimeLurker]

Anybody notice the date of this article.

[princess leah]

Where's John Edwards when you really need a good trial lawyer? (sarcasm...)

[PJ-Comix]

Hey, McCain! Is that legal? Is that what you guys had in mind with Campaign Finance Reform?!

The McCain-Feingold Act is the WORST piece of legislation ever! Rather than diminish the role of money in political campaigns, it INCREASED the role of money in political campaigns. Will any reporter ever ask McCain or Feingold if they are embarrassed about sponsoring such a USELESS piece of crap?

[Puppage]

Zach Exley, the director of special projects for the MoveOn PAC

Well, good attack dogs are hard to find. Besides, the NJ Supreme Court will say it's okay.

[PJ-Comix]

Where's John Edwards when you really need a good trial lawyer?

Notice you haven't been seeing much of Edwards ever since McGreevey's announcement? Hee! Hee!

[Merry]

Can we as citizens report them to the IRS?

[ruoflaw]

I noticed that it is a old article but this is the first time that I have read about it

[Lockbar]

The timing of this is suspicious.

[dennisw]

Yep ... it's from April. And pertinent today as the Democrats plus their 527s are greatly outspending the Republicans.

[Prime Choice]

And just think, we have McCain-Feingold to thank for this ridiculous mess.

[uncbob]

Hey, McCain! Is that legal? Is that what you guys had in mind with Campaign Finance Reform?!

Ah but Bush didn't veto it like he promised and those of us here who criticized him for it were assured it was a brilliant political move and the Supremes would vote against it anyway

[uncbob]

The McCain-Feingold Act is the WORST piece of legislation ever! Rather than diminish the role of money in political campaigns, it INCREASED the role of money in political campaigns. Will any reporter ever ask McCain or Feingold if they are embarrassed about sponsoring such a USELESS piece of crap?

See my above post