Again, Mayer:

A Republican campaign consultant who has done research on behalf of Charles and David Koch said of the Tea Party, "The Koch brothers gave the money that founded it. It's like they put the seeds in the ground. Then the rainstorm comes, and the frogs come out of the mud -- and they're our candidates!"

The Kochs and their political operatives declined requests for interviews. Instead, a prominent New York public-relations executive who is close with the Kochs put forward two friends: George Pataki, the former governor of New York, and Mortimer Zuckerman, the publisher and real-estate magnate. Pataki, a Republican who received campaign donations from David Koch, called him "a patriot who cares deeply about his country." Zuckerman praised David's "gentle decency" and the "range of his public interests."

The Republican campaign consultant said of the family's political activities, "To call them under the radar is an understatement. They are underground!" Another former Koch adviser said, "They're smart. This right-wing, redneck stuff works for them. They see this as a way to get things done without getting dirty themselves." Rob Stein, a Democratic political strategist who has studied the conservative movement's finances, said that the Kochs are "at the epicenter of the anti-Obama movement. But it's not just about Obama. They would have done the same to Hillary Clinton. They did the same with Bill Clinton. They are out to destroy progressivism."

Two points well worth pondering, one offered up by Frank Rich, by way of some helpful perspective; and the other from Jane Mayer, for view rooted firmly in the present.

First, Frank Rich:

All three tycoons [Murdoch and the brothers Koch] are the latest incarnation of what the historian Kim Phillips-Fein labeled "Invisible Hands" in her prescient 2009 book of that title: those corporate players who have financed the far right ever since the du Pont brothers spawned the American Liberty League in 1934 to bring down F.D.R. You can draw a straight line from the Liberty League's crusade against the New Deal "socialism" of Social Security, the Securities and Exchange Commission and child labor laws to the John Birch Society-Barry Goldwater assault on J.F.K. and Medicare to the Koch-Murdoch-backed juggernaut against our "socialist" president.

Only the fat cats change -- not their methods and not their pet bugaboos (taxes, corporate regulation, organized labor, and government "handouts" to the poor, unemployed, ill and elderly).

The Kochs have long depended on the public's not knowing all the details about them. They have been content to operate what David Koch has called "the largest company that you've never heard of." But with the growing prominence of the Tea Party, and with increased awareness of the Kochs' ties to the movement, the brothers may find it harder to deflect scrutiny. Recently, President Obama took aim at the Kochs' political network. Speaking at a Democratic National Committee fund-raiser, in Austin, he warned supporters that the Supreme Court's recent ruling in the Citizens United case -- which struck down laws prohibiting direct corporate spending on campaigns -- had made it even easier for big companies to hide behind "groups with harmless-sounding names like Americans for Prosperity." Obama said, "They don't have to say who, exactly, Americans for Prosperity are. You don't know if it's a foreign-controlled corporation" -- or even, he added, "a big oil company."

Soros/Buffett/Gates/Schmidt/
Pritzker/Page/Spielberg/
Winfrey/et al. vs Koch/Koch/Murdoch

OMG! Oh the horror, eh Frank?

Should be an interesting battle even though the odds are heavily stacked against them.

It's true--they don't have to say who Americans for Prosperity are. But we all know who Americans for Prosperity aren't--the current batch of morons running the economy into the ground, and their defenders in the media and on college campuses.

But that's okay. The rest of America have moved on.

Don't overlook congress.

The richest member of Congress is Republican California Rep. Darrell Issa, whose net worth is estimated to be in excess of $250 million. He's followed by four Democrats: California's Jane Harman (approx. $245 million), Wisconsin's Herb Kohl (approx. $215 million), Virginia's Mark Warner (approx. $210 million) and Massachusetts' John Kerry (approx. $209 million).

Among the top 25 wealthiest legislators – which includes boldface names Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein and Olympia Snowe – there are 14 Democrats and 11 Republicans, suggesting no clear wealth divisions between party.

Obama is using his bully pulpit to shake down the rich into conforming with his socialist agenda.... no wonder many rich folks are uneasy with big government.

no wonder many rich folks are uneasy with big government.

Yeah, except when they are running it. The Bushes aren't exactly welfare cases, and neither was Cheney. Republicans are really good at taking care of their wealthy buddies, even if they are saudi terrorists.

If you want to bitch about Kerry's $, remember if Herbie Bush hadn't murdered Republican Senator Heinz, Kerry never would have married Teresa and her $.

#8.... I'm not Republican; I'm INDEPENDENT.

" I'm not Republican; I'm INDEPENDENT"

Is that why you were so sure McCain/Palin would win?

If you want to bitch about Kerry's $, remember if Herbie Bush hadn't murdered Republican Senator Heinz, Kerry never would have married Teresa and her $.

#8 | Posted by northguy3
* * * * *

You're a lunatic.

Gotta love these grass roots efforts.

Yeah like Soros??

Of course the richest people are most against taxes. Its common sense.

Frank Rich just isn't a very good writer.

" I'm not Republican; I'm INDEPENDENT."

Riight. YOu're independent like George Bush was independent. YOu vote Republican, you support Republicans you are REpublican but you want an excuse to absolve you of responsibility for the debt Bush ran up.

"It's true--they don't have to say who Americans for Prosperity are."

Even though we all know it's the same folks who destroyed the American economy. Hell, could be the fucking Chinese and it would be ok with RisR. Hey, why should only Americans be allowed to participate in American politics??? Bring on the Saudis, the Chinese, you name it, it's all ok with RisR.
Tax cuts before country.

Oh.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Rich: Meet the Tea Party Billionaires

Meet Frank Rich, a "Usefull Idiot" from the dinosaur NYT.

Rich is an idiot. What irrelevant drivel. What a couple of rich guys have to do with a grassroots political movement is inconsequential. But look up Astroturf in the dictionary and you'll see Soros and his billions directly funding political opposition. So you Dems like foreigners meddling in your affairs?

What a couple of rich guys have to do with a grassroots political movement is inconsequential

Excepting, of course, the $100,000,000 the Koch bros have poured into the 'grass roots movement', riiiiiiiiight?

I don't understand what people on the left have against the tea party movement. It is truly amazing that is now being attacked as a trumped up movement of the rich. That kind of tells me that the "racist" accusations aren't working too well.

#22

"Head in Sand" flag

Next should be that they all are anti abortion, anti gay. Oh, and don't forget to mention they all have cooties too.

#17... yeah right, Obama is still blaming Bush, but the blame game is backfiring.... the race card is also wearing off....

A clear tactic from the left is to steer the minion away from the message of the focus group and concentrate their spew on one of the many vilifying catch phrases/terms. Seems all Tea Party wants to do is return this country to what the founders envisioned. A country Steered from the base and not Washington. It is hard to steer when you have your head so far up a lobbyists' ass the only daylight you see is when they yawn.

The Koch brothers have funded this phony assed "grass roots movement".

Sorry if that doesn't fit your meme, TONY. It doesn't.

#22 | Posted by TonyGeeMan""

They are scared of it. The common lefties are scared of not being coddled anymore, and the big time lefties are scared of being kicked out of the ivory tower. Thats also why they hate Bush. The little ones hate Bush because they are told to. The big ones hate Bush because he could brush them aside if he wanted to.

"The big ones hate Bush because he could brush them aside if he wanted to."

Okay, I'll say it:

Bush was a pussy.

I think between the Koch brothers funding the tea party movement, and george soros deep-sixing the british pound, id say the koch brothers are far less malicious of the two groups

"and george soros deep-sixing the british pound"

God must have to take a back seat to George Soros.

I love how the persons that make money are evil and the ones that take it and spend it restlessly are heroes. What is your gripe with wealthy people? Don't you aspire to become one? "They don't pay their fair share of taxes", why is that? Is it because they hire accountants that you and I can't afford? So what? I guess these laws were written by Bush, Cheney, and Rowe. Why don't the Democrats in majority change them? I guess we should give them some more time. Why not tax every penny made above the poverty level at 100%? All I ever hear from the left is "they don't need it", "how much is enough", I'm waiting for Washington to tell me. Maybe when Kerry gets back from his boat, or Pelosi from her vineyard. Gosh cuz I shure don't know being a redneck from the south.

"Gosh cuz I shure don't know being a redneck from the south."

Thanks for the heads-up.

Perfect response, Hans. You pretty much refuted everything I wrote.

"You pretty much refuted everything I wrote."

What you wrote was a self-cleaning oven.

Or, as we say here: A self-retorting retort.

Hans thanks for the well thought out response, you have totally changed my outlook on things with your in depth analysis. I know see the errors of my way. You've made another convert. You really should try harder I think your side will need all the votes they can muster.

"Hans thanks for the well thought out response..."

You're most welcome.

"...you have totally changed my outlook on things with your in depth analysis."

Of course I have.

"I know see the errors of my way."

Considered yourself blessed.

"made another convert."

My life is now complete.

"You really should try harder I think your side will need all the votes they can muster."

I can't try any harder: It is way too exhausting.

"You pretty much refuted everything I wrote."

Of course I did.

And here I sit still wondering how we can get more billionaires to kick in a few bucks to save us from tired, discredited European-style Socialism.

Do we really have to tolerate a permanent unemployment rates that's become a staple of countries like France?

I'd take money from the devil to further the cause of Freedom.

Democrats, what happened to your party? Don't you want it back?

Yeah like Soros??

#13 | Posted by MURPHY at 2010-08-29 02:07 PM | Reply | Flag:

So what?

Soros has been your go-to boogie-man for years now and when someone mentions a billionaire that wants your kids to go without education, you still scream "but....but...but....SOROS!!!"
.

So predictable.

This explains what most Americans KNOW and what the far left hates and and is determined to stop.

re: And here I sit still wondering how we can get more billionaires to kick in a few bucks to save us from tired, discredited European-style Socialism.

..and secretly fund your "grassroots" events for God?

I'd take money from the devil to further the cause of Freedom.

Yes, it would seem so, and you'd just as soon not know about who was funding your "freedom".

But I must ask, "freedom" from what, and from whom? You toss that word around as if everyone knew what you meant and I'm sure even you don't.

So...looking at the riiighties' comments here it's clear they can"t refute Frank Rich on this.

LOL

The moment this "grass roots" Tea Party movement was co-opted by the "elite" it got cancer...terminal cancer and THAT is the goal.

They infiltrate, fund and corrupt anything that would benefit the "average citizen" of the US, because the "average citizen" of the US is not a member of the "elite" establishment.

Class warfare.
Invisible caste system.

Invisible caste system.

Posted by Sluggo at 2010-08-30 11:15 AM | Reply

The Political Class,
The Corporate Class,
The Entitled Class,

All supported by the "Middle" AKA Serf Class

I don't understand what people on the left have against the tea party movement. It is truly amazing that is now being attacked as a trumped up movement of the rich. That kind of tells me that the "racist" accusations aren't working too well.

#22 | Posted by TonyGeeMan

#22

"Head in Sand" flag

#23 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY

I agree with Tony, however, I think that AU means that the movement has been hijacked. I agree with this also.

Of course there is big money being poured into the movement. That's because the Tea Party movement has legs.

But, next we will see a group emerge that will be disenchanted Democrats who want the Democrats to get back to the days of Kennedy and Roosevelt.

That will be cool to see. I would be attracted to that.

So...looking at the riiighties' comments here it's clear they can"t refute Frank Rich on this.

LOL

#43 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Holy Shit! So what?

There is a ton of money behind Democrats too.

So what?

What's the point?

The original Ron Paul Tea Party movement was picked up by others and they are doing their own thing.

Is it going to have Neocon (old Republican) influence? Yes!! Of course it will.

But there will be constant pressure to get it out.

You are trying to say that the Tea Party movement is a Billionaire Conspiracy. Are you just another conspiracy nut?

For example, I heard a conspiracy nut call the Peter Bowles show in Denver and told the audience that Obama is a CIA plant and had some believable evidence, but is it true? LOL!!! Bowles shut him down.

It's entertaining to see all of the wild conspiracy come out of the woodwork, including yours Doc.

So...looking at the riiighties' comments here it's clear they can"t refute Frank Rich on this.

#43 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Why should they? The left has been backed by big money and the unions for years so now you cry when the right gets a little organization.

So...looking at the riiighties' comments here it's clear they can"t refute Frank Rich on this.
LOL
#43 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

#47 | Posted by Eddie

So they can't refute him. Can't you read and comprehend? (In your case, it's a rhetorical question.) Rich actually deals with Soros, which you'd know had you read and -- here's the important part -- understood the column.

So...looking at the riiighties' comments here it's clear they can"t refute Frank Rich on this.
#43 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Why should they? The left has been backed by big money...
#48 | Posted by Sniper

See above, Snoops.

Why should they? If they could, they would.

Me, I'd be a little nervous if I believed I was part of some great populist outpouring and then found out I was just getting my strings pulled by fat cat puppet masters whose agenda reads like something of of a deranged libertarians' wet dream.

It's entertaining to see all of the wild conspiracy come out of the woodwork, including yours Doc.
#47 | Posted by Eddie

What "wild conspiracy" would that be, Special Eddie?

It's only okay for billionaires to fund lefty groups. Don't you know that?

"What "wild conspiracy" would that be, Special Eddie?"

It is going to be difficult to top this one:

I like that one, Hans.
It has both simplicity and stupidity working for it.
It's actually something of a low-brow masterpiece.

"It has both simplicity and stupidity working for it.
"It's actually something of a low-brow masterpiece."

Agreed, Doc.

Absolutely, Hans.

By the way, if I haven't said it before, it's a hoot having you back on the bus.

And your comment, Doc, Funny and Newsworthy.

(But I selected Funny.)

"By the way, if I haven't said it before, it's a hoot having you back on the bus."

Perfect, Hans! LOL!

By the way, if I haven't said it before, it's a hoot having you back on the bus.

#55 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2010-08-30 04:14 PM | Reply | Flag: Dumb Compliments Dumber

It's entertaining to see all of the wild conspiracy come out of the woodwork, including yours Doc.
#47 | Posted by Eddie

What "wild conspiracy" would that be, Special Eddie?

#50 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Me, I'd be a little nervous if I believed I was part of some great populist outpouring and then found out I was just getting my strings pulled by fat cat puppet masters whose agenda reads like something of of a deranged libertarians' wet dream.

#49 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

The entertaining part is that many people talk of conspiracy and think it's 100% true.

Yes, I agree that there is big money coming into the Tea Party movement. I also know that it's neocons hijacking the movement. You are trying to say that the neocons created the Tea Party on purpose, i.e. conspiracy theory.

Are you? or did I get it wrong?

the Tea Party movement has legs.
#46 | Posted by Eddie

Sadly, it lacks a brain.

Are you? or did I get it wrong?
#60 | Posted by Eddie

You got it wrong, again, Eddie. As usual.

I also know that it's neocons hijacking the movement.

Probably is. Any group of people conceited enough think PNAC was a good idea is conceited enough to blame the failures of it on Bush and not on their own faulty vision.

I can see them trying to leech onto the Tea Party the same way they did with the RNC.

I don't think, in a certain sense, they actually created it. They merely toss out the dough and expertise to manipulate it. I'm not even sure they particularly want to control it. That would be like herding cats. But influence the flow? You betcha. Exhibit A: Dick Armey, et. al.

Me, I'd be a little nervous if I believed I was part of some great populist outpouring and then found out I was just getting my strings pulled by fat cat puppet masters whose agenda reads like something of of a deranged libertarians' wet dream.

#49 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

"That is 100% myth that is tossed out by the DNC spin machine to *cover* the fact that the mosque project is in FACT the brainchild of the US President. Now that IS a fact."

#210 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2010-08-30 05:50 AM

Hans, Doc,

There's little difference between these two statements from the perspective you are trying to project. They are both minus all the facts.

Yes, there are facts, but not all that you need... conspiracy.

We are just letting you know that you don't have a license to write any ole bullshit you want. LOL!!!

Are you? or did I get it wrong?
#60 | Posted by Eddie

You got it wrong, again, Eddie. As usual.

#62 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Good, that's all I needed for you to say.

You make fun of phester when you turn around 10 posts later and do the same thing...

WOW!!!

"We are just letting you know that you don't have a license to write any ole bullshit you want."

Bullshit!

;>)

the Tea Party movement has legs.
#46 | Posted by Eddie

Sadly, it lacks a brain.

#61 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

LOL. You're getting it.

Bullshit!

#67 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Proof that stupidity leads to arrogance.

This is starting to be funny.

Doc, Stop now!!!

~Hans

I dunno..... Writing the speeches, printing the posters and signs for the illiterate 'baggers, putting them in the buses, paying for said buses.

Sounds like the fat cats are pretty much in control. The only way they could influence them any more would be to have their arms all the way up the teabaggers' asses and moving their lips for them.

Exactly when have seen any independent though coming from a teabagger?

I wonder if Kermit the Frog knew he was a puppet?

Sounds like the fat cats are pretty much in control...
#72 | Posted by axe

This happens all the time? Or, just this once.

You know you're going to need a link to support your bullshit.

I wonder if Kermit the Frog knew he was a puppet?

#73 | Posted by axe

Now, you've gone over the top dissen Kermit!

You must've missed the ;>)
Next time, try not to be such a dunce, Eddie.

Anyway, on the lack of brain in that amorphous movement with which you appear to identify, that is precisely why it is really nothing more than the GOP Base with some libertarian outriders attached; it's also why it will be co-opted by the GOP and never become an independent political force -- assuming it's an independent political force at the moment, which it clearly isn't.

I'm all for Teabaggers becoming as visible as possible. The more Teabagger candidates get nominated in Republican primaries -- remember, they don't have one in Colorado (but they also don't have racism, LOL!) -- the better.

Paul, Angle, et. al., as looney as they come this side of an asylum. Long term prospects? Zip.

You know you're going to need a link to support your bullshit.
#74 | Posted by Eddie

Eddie, when you start using links to support your bullshit you can ask others to do likewise. Until then, don't expect them to proceed down a road you try to detour every chance you get.

Proof that stupidity leads to arrogance: Eddie

Eddie, when you start using links to support your bullshit you can ask others to do likewise. Until then, don't expect them to proceed down a road you try to detour every chance you get.

#77 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

LOL!!!

Ok, I'm linking to this thread.

All of my proof is on this thread.

OK?

#76 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

So... you agree?

LOL!!!

I'm not sure I agree, but as I scanned some of your posts I thought I detected some points of agreement. That's what prompted #76.

My guess is we probably share a number of perceptions on the state of political parties in this country today.

My guess is we probably share a number of perceptions on the state of political parties in this country today.

#81 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

It's changing rapidly!