Clinton Is Fighting the Troll Wars With a Million Dollar Super-PAC Campaign

Gizmodo ^ | 05/10/2016 | Matt Novak

[apillar]

If we’ve learned anything from this election cycle it’s that American politics gets the messiest when it’s online. And the Clinton campaign has decided that it wants to fight fire with fire when it comes to online trolls. The Clinton camp has built their own troll army using roughly $1 million of super-PAC funds. The only question remaining: Is this open coordination of online campaigning even legal?

As the Los Angeles Times reports, a super-PAC called Correct the Record has hired a legion of “former reporters, bloggers, public affairs specialists, [and] designers” to go after anyone online who is critical of Hillary Clinton. And it’s a well-funded effort. According to Correct the Record, it’s “engaged” with roughly 5,000 people online so far.

[apillar]

Well, well, well...how very interesting. Paid "astroturf" posters that post positive things about Hillary and shout down her opponents online. I've honestly suspected it, when I go to websites like thehill.com, there are always the same group of pro-Hillary, anti-Trump posters at all hours of the day and night posting the exact same comments at upvoting each other. I've jokingly said that it had to be organized, turns out it is!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Outrageous trolls could show up here too. This place is already on the edge of vain, and trolls can push it way over.

[PJBankard]

I thought that was what DU was.

[Luircin]

Not ‘could’, my friend.

‘Are.’

[BenLurkin]

“Is it legal?”

Dear Gizmodo, laws mean nothing to the ‘Rats in general and Hillary in particular.

[Behind the Blue Wall]

Seems more likely to backfire than succeed.

[WMarshal]

Those trolls usually have digits in their posting names/IDs. A human is clever enough to create a memorable, meaningful ID that doesn’t look like an random set of letters had sex with a social security number. When I post on other sites I call them out as Hillary’s paid trolls.

[Biggirl]

Jim and AM’s are going to have to get ready to do more banning.

[humblegunner]

Not ‘could’, my friend.
‘Are.’

Really? Point out a few. Or one.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Hillary is the most dishonest person to ever run for the Presidency.

There. Come and get me, trolls!!

[Nifster]

Oh please please please. I want them to troll us here at FR

Or me anywhere Please Please Please

[Nifster]

Oh please please please. I want them to troll us here at FR

Or me anywhere Please Please Please

[Luircin]

CHALLENGE CONSIDERED.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Please see the zot threads since the last week or so about voting Hillary over Trump and then the posters getting fried.

Unless you think that some people who supported Cruz are SO bitter and spiteful that they’ll sell their children into slavery just because they want to hurt Trump and his supporters.

CHALLENGE SUCCESSFUL. *Mic Drop*

[humblegunner]

Yeah, very bombastic.

Your post still fails to point out any paid poster, Zotted or not.

Best pick up that mike homey..

[Oldeconomybuyer]

SEIU and other public union workers earning $7.00 an hour trolling blogs. How very Goebbels.

[humblegunner]

SEIU and other public union workers earning $7.00 an hour trolling blogs.

Good thing Free Republic isn't a blog, huh?

Do you really think those jagovs are smart enough to pose as actual posters here?

Point one out.

[Luircin]

You certainly seem angry at the suggestion that there are paid disruptors on FR.

Why, you got something to hide? </s>

Seriously, though. I’ve seen enough troll behavior and repeated talking points that I am positive that at least a few of the re-activated accounts are paid trolls.

You’ve demanded proof knowing that it’s impossible to provide. My initial post was what we call an OPINION.

We’re allowed to post those, you know.

I mean, do you WANT me to post the list of zotted Hillary supporters, whether paid, delusional, or spiteful? It’s only been posted many times before.

[humblegunner]

You certainly seem angry at the suggestion that there are paid disruptors on FR.

Angry? How about curious? If you've identified them let's see the list.

I’ve seen enough troll behavior and repeated talking points that I am positive that at least a few of the re-activated accounts are paid trolls.

But.. no names? Why?

I mean, do you WANT me to post the list of zotted Hillary supporters, whether paid, delusional, or spiteful? It’s only been posted many times before.

Oh, I've seen it, it grows every day.

You state there are paid trolls, I asked for names.

You seem reluctant to provide them.

[MeganC]

I noticed a troll storm a few weeks ago and I also noticed that the Moderators unleashed the Banhammer of Zot! upon them.

All hail the Banhammer!!!

[humblegunner]

THIS list?

http://www.freerepublic.com/~godgunsguts/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~katwoman5779/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~flfreedom/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~unclericosfootball/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~traditionalmerica
http://www.freerepublic.com/~rwilson99/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~libertytreesurgeon/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~proudpapa/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~durbin/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~bigun/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~tallyhoe/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~jerseyrepub/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~debrawiest/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~libbylu/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~kik5150/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~nervoustick/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~rightlady/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~flintsilver7/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~leto/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~anymouse/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~thedoc/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~publana/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~xspurt/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~hoodat/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~Perdogg/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~dschapin/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~deathrattle/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~kidd/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~laserman/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~lmao/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~zajko/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~wistful/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~WilliamIII/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~kinsmanredeemer/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~responsibility2nd/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~unlearner/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~doldrumsforgop/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~agamemnon/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~alstewartfan/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~texascajun/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~ltkerst/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~yosemitest/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~subterfuge/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~conservingfreedom/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~bluestocking/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~israelbeach/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~ernbatavia/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~calpublican/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~thebatladyshusband/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~jedi4s/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~rockinright/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~mrpotatohead/
http://www.freerepublic.com/~doubledown/

Explain how you know which, if any, were paid trolls.
Explain how you know which, if any, were simply expressing an honest..if not helpful.. opinion.