How GOP super-pacs have spent millions attacking Hillary on Bernie's behalf.

[pnwmom]

They want to run against him in the fall, so they've been spending millions to try to help his candidacy along.

I'm not saying this is Bernie's fault or that he can control it.

But it isn't only Bernie who has been doing so well against Hillary; it's Bernie with a big (unrequested) assist from "uber-conservative" super-pacs.

He's not been lowering himself to mudslinging and attacks, but these groups specialize in it.

http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/01/bernie-sanders-super-pac-money-democratic-rivals.html

It is noteworthy that Senator Sander’s “inconsistent” rise to Super PAC pre-eminence is, in part, due to an unusual pairing of the Sanders campaign and Republican and ultra-conservative super PAC spending to attack Hillary Clinton. Of course the conservatives’ intent is simply to “elevate an avowed socialist.” One that Republicans, conservatives, and the Koch brothers believe will be easy to disparage in a general election. Don’t believe conservative PACs are helping Senator Sanders?

In just one recent ad from the influential Republican super PAC American Crossroads, the uber-conservative group spent a substantial amount of its and the Kochs’ $4.3 million against Clinton parroting a constant Sanders’ attack against Clinton for earning Wall Street speaking fees. There have been no small number of pundits who have suggested, not errantly according to the American Crossroads ad campaign, that a fair share of the attacks on Clinton from “alleged” liberals are being funded and promoted by uber-conservative groups.

If one looks at it from that perspective, Senator Sanders’ campaign is being funded and assisted by more than just one special interest super PAC, and at least one of them is run by Karl Rove.

There is nothing wrong with a campaign taking special interest money; at least not according to Citizens United ruling that Sanders abhors. However, there is an issue when a candidate fairly bases a key part of their campaign and appeal on “shunning” special interest and super PAC money; all while claiming it is funded by grass roots contributors and now Americans know by special interests and super PACs; even uber-conservative super PACs.

[Fearless]

1. This is silly.

[FreakinDJ]

4. They just hate Hillary

[Hekate]

2. Increasingly we see how Bernie keeps his own hands clean. So clean.

As I said in another thread, "He has people for that."

Thanks again, pnwmom.

[Fearless]

7. Bernie now controls Republicans??

[Hekate]

20. He doesn't have to

[Fearless]

27. Just stop after the first two words.

[Agnosticsherbet]

3. The GOP considers Sandesr the weaker candidate.

But he can not be blamed because Republicans are afraid of Clinton and will tell any lie to hurt her chances.

[pnwmom]

10. I'm not blaming him. I'm saying we don't need to get duped by the GOP.

We need to understand why they're willing to spend millions helping Bernie.

[Agnosticsherbet]

14. I understand why Republicans are spendng millions to benefit Sanders.

I would like to see Sanders tell them he doesn't like benefiting by their millions, and see his supporters attack Republicans for spending money to the benefit of their candidate.

Sadly none of that will happen.

[uponit7771]

23. +1

[frylock]

5. let it sink

thanks for the kick

[Punkingal]

6. Do we have to have a thread on this every day?

[DanTex]

8. It's crowding out the coin toss conspiracy threads. Can't have that!

[onehandle]

9. Agreed. The GOP isn't the enemy. Hillary is.

Wait...

[pnwmom]

11. That would be a great idea, at least till the GOP attack ads stop. n/t

[FreakinDJ]

12. Actually they haven't even started in on Hillary yet

And they have some really good ammunition

[pnwmom]

15. They'll have plenty on "the communist," too, if it comes to that. They can't wait.

And don't forget. They never restrict themselves to the truth.

[FreakinDJ]

16. No Sleazy Graft

[pnwmom]

18. You don't know that. They can make up anything.

And they will.

Did they restrict themselves to the truth when Vince Foster killed himself?

Or how about Obama and birther claims?

Next thing we know, they'll be saying that Bernie got a brain implant during that "honeymoon" he spent in the Soviet Union, and he's part of a master plan to take over the U.S.

[FreakinDJ]

19. They don't have to make up any thing - The Clintons have used political office to enrich themselves

It may not be illegal - (and that is a Big Problem in Washington only Bernie is prepared to address) but that doesn't make any less disingenuous and disgusting to have her lying through her teeth promising Working Class Citizens Universal Healthcare only as a ploy to take it away from Bernie

No way in Hell is she going to follow through with that campaign promise - I know it and you know it

Its just the Clinton Sleaze factor

But don't get me wrong. Her and Bill will use her position and power to enrich their self just as they have used her position in State Dept funneling $Millions through the Clinton Foundation for political favors

Just Sleazy as Hell

And if the Dupe the Working Class of this country to do that - then so be it - its just Collateral Damage in the path of the Clinton Graft Machine

[pnwmom]

22. They didn't have anything when they attacked Hillary about Vince Foster

and about Rose Hill law firm, etc. etc. etc.

They'll have a field day with Bernie, and he, unlike Hilary, has never faced an attack from them before.

[1StrongBlackMan]

26. But they had plenty to go on with that Kenyan interloper ...

Wait ...

[FreakinDJ]

30. Like I said its not illegal

But it goes against every thing voters are supporting this year with Anti-establishment candidates because they are so angry at the Washington as usual

But good luck with your candidate

[99th_Monkey]

13. As Big Gawg once famously said, "be careful what you ask for" GOP

So you really want to run against Bernie, instead of Hillary?

woo-hoo! Bring it on.

[shawn703]

17. They don't want Sanders as the nominee

He polls better than Clinton against every Republican. What they want is a protracted fight for the nomination, making sure Clinton's war chest has taken a big hit before the campaign for the general election. When they see Sanders' nomination chances becoming more likely, they'll enter hair on fire mode and refocus their attacks on him.

[pnwmom]

25. They're spending millions helping him. nt

[shawn703]

31. For the reason I mentioned. N/t

[uponit7771]

21. This is a good point about IA

[Bread and Circus]

24. Fantasy Island called. It wants you back on the island.

[DesertRat]

28. k&r

[Thinkingabout]

29. This is a running cause on msm and talk shows, when you hear a RW talking about getting

Sanders the nomination it isn't because they like Sanders and his agenda, they have a desire to have anyone but Hillary as the nominee they have to run against. Don't think for one second the GOP is honestly polling when the numbers goes up for Sanders against their candidates.

[SidDithers]

32. DU rec...nt

Sid

[DanTex]

33. That Sanders has benefited more from SuperPACs than Clinton in the primaries is well documented.

Not just all the GOP attacks, but also the direct involvement of the NNU SuperPAC.

The flip side of this, of course, is that Bernie fans on the internet are more than happy to repeat those same GOP attacks, even post many of them on DU, under the "ends justifies the means" rationale.