For Immediate Release
June 29, 2016
Contact: Press@CatherineCortezMasto.com
Las Vegas, NV – Another day, another lie by Congressman Heck’s allies. No, we’re not talking about Congressman Heck promoting debunked conspiracy theories about Sharia Law being implemented in Michigan. Jon Ralston reported this morning that Congressman Heck’s allies are running another misleading radio ad attacking Catherine Cortez Masto over claims that Politifact Nevada called “highly misleading” earlier this year. This comes just days after the Koch Brothers launched a new television ad that Nevada reporters have called “BS.”
“Congressman Heck and his allies have lied so much about Catherine Cortez Masto they would make Pinocchio blush,” said Zach Hudson, spokesperson for Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate. “Congressman Heck is clearly desperate to change the subject from his receiving more than $300,000 from Wall Street after sponsoring a tax break for the Big Banks who crashed Nevada’s housing market. Congressman Heck might not want to tell the truth about his record, but we will.”
CLAIM
RESPONSE
MALE ANNOUNCER: The new debt ceiling is now 16.4 trillion. Remember, trillion is twelve zeros.
MALE VOICE: (Sigh) The government debt never stops growing.
REALITY: HECK ALLIES CONTINUE TO DISREGARD THE TRUTH AND REPEAT PREVIOUSLY DISCREDITED CLAIMS AND OUTRIGHT LIES ABOUT CORTEZ MASTO’S RECORD
PolitiFact Nevada: It’s Clear That As Attorney General, Cortez Masto Didn’t “Pad Her Pockets” While State Workers Suffered – She Received Essentially The Same Salary During Her Eight Years In Office. “According to information collected from TransparentNevada.com and records request from the state Controller’s office, PolitiFact Nevada put together this spreadsheet of salaries, donations and what percentage of salary was donated back to the state. As shown, it’s clear that as Attorney General, Cortez Masto didn’t ‘pad her pockets’ while state workers suffered – rather, she received essentially the same salary (not counting benefits) during her eight years in office when donations are subtracted out.” [PolitiFact Nevada, 2/3/16]
PolitiFact Nevada: NRSC Claim That Cortez Masto Took Pay Increases Is “A Highly Misleading Claim.” “The NRSC said Cortez Masto ‘was happy to line her own pockets with taxpayer dollars when state employees were slammed with frozen salaries,’ but this is a highly misleading claim. The state increased Cortez Masto’s salary during a time of pay freezes for Nevada’s state workers. She was unable to legally reject the pay increase, so she donated $38,000 back to the state during her last four years in office. We rate the claim Mostly False.” [PolitiFact Nevada, 2/3/16]
Jon Ralston: Freedom Partners Uber Ad Is “Bullshit” – Uber Is Still Here. In June 2016, Jon Ralston tweeted: “@FreedomPartners digital ad on @CatherineForNV is brutal but BS: It says she ‘drove them out of town,’ but Uber is still here.’ [Twitter, Jon Ralston,6/24/16]
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Sebelius On Uber Ad: Cortez Masto Had The Gall To Actually Enforce The Law. In June 2016, Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Steve Sebelius tweeted: “Shorter @FreedomPartners on @CatherineForNV: ‘As attorney general, she had the gall to actually enforce NV transpo laws as written!’” [Twitter, Steve Sebelius, 6/24/16]
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Sebelius: Two Recent Ads From The Koch Brothers-Backed Freedom Partners Action Fund PAC Targeting Cortez Masto Arranged Perfectly True Facts To Lead To A False Conclusion.“Anybody who’s ever been to a courthouse knows its possible to arrange perfectly true facts to lead a jury to a false conclusion. It’s no different in the court of public opinion. Take two recent ads from the Koch brothers-backed Freedom Partners Action Fund PAC targeting Democratic former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, who’s now running for Senate. The ads allege she hired a well-connected Washington, D.C., law firm to sue Bank of America during the foreclosure crisis. The firm earned millions in fees. Partners in the firm later gave Cortez Masto campaign contributions. Therefore, corruption!” [Las Vegas Review Journal, Column,5/10/16]
Las Vegas Review Journal’s Steve Sebelius: “Sounds Much More Like Cortez Masto Doing Her Job Than Cozying Up To A Washington Special Interest For Personal Profit.” “So, while it’s true Cortez Masto recommended the hiring of a law firm that earned money representing the state and whose partners later contributed to her campaign, it’s also true the firm successfully forced one of the largest banks in the country to pay the state millions to compensate for alleged wrongdoing. That sounds much more like Cortez Masto doing her job than cozying up to a Washington special interest for personal profit. In fact, you’d have to very carefully arrange the facts to lead people to that conclusion. That’s why you always have to wait until you’ve heard the entire story, in court and out.” [Las Vegas Review Journal, Column, 5/10/16]
Washington Post Fact Check: NRSC “Exaggerated Charges” And Used “Misleading Language” To Frighten Voters Into Thinking Cortez Masto Made A Foreign Policy Blunder. In September 2015, Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler wrote, “This is an ad designed to frighten voters into thinking that Masto has made a tragic foreign-policy blunder that will lead to nuclear conflict. But the images would be justified only if the case were as compelling as the NRSC suggests. Instead, the organization has exaggerated the charges and used misleading language to make its case. With a few tweaks in the wording and less stark images, the NRSC could make a reasonable argument that supporting the nuclear deal is a mistake. But this effort is a miss.” [Washington Post Fact Check, NRSC Ad “There’s No Going Back,” 10/6/15]
Washington Post Fact Check: As Cortez Masto Noted The Iran Deal Blocks Two Routes To A Nuclear A Weapon. In September 2015, Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler wrote, “In her statement, Masto noted that estimates suggest Iran is currently two to three months from obtaining a nuclear weapon — and that this agreement would block its path for 15 years. Under the accord, Iran gives up most of its highly enriched uranium and curbs its production of plutonium — two routes to a nuclear weapon. It will give up a lot of nuclear equipment and has agreed to limits on uranium enrichment. But after 15 years, many of the restraints will end. […] Ultimately, this is a matter of opinion — and responsible experts on both sides of the debate have valid arguments. There is no way of knowing now whether the accord will forever block Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon. But the ad concludes with images suggesting that nuclear war is around the corner.” [Washington Post Fact Check, NRSC Ad “There’s No Going Back,” 10/6/15]
FEMALE VOICE: Hmm, well my paycheck is shrinking.
MALE ANNOUNCER: The majority of US workers have experienced a decade of flat wages.
MALE VOICE: And Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto has the same old plan: raise taxes and give the money to the government.
NEVADANS’ KNOW: CONGRESSMAN HECK’S ALLIES ARE TRYING TO DISTRACT FROM HECK PARROTING FALSE CLAIMS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT MUSLIMS…
Buzzfeed: Heck Falsely Claimed Muslims Have Tried To Implement Sharia Law In Michigan – A Claim That Has Been Routinely Debunked By Fact-Checking Organizations And News Outlets Since 2013. “Nevada Congressman Joe Heck, who is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in the state, claims Muslims have tried to implement Sharia law in Michigan. The claim, which originated from a 2013 report on a satirical website, has been routinely debunked by fact-checking organizations and news outlets.” [Buzzfeed, 6/20/16]
Heck: “There Are Certain Pockets Throughout The Country, Like, Certainly Up In Michigan, Is A High Area, Where There Are Areas Where They Have Tried To Implement Their Version Of Sharia Law In The United States.” “When pushed by audience members who claimed that a large portion of Muslims in America supported Sharia law, Heck concurred. ‘Depending on where, like, there are certain pockets throughout the country, like, certainly up in Michigan, is a high area, where there are areas where they have tried to implement their version of Sharia law in the United States,’ Heck said.” [Buzzfeed, 6/20/16]
Buzzfeed: Heck Used The Debunked Claim That Muslims Have Tried To Implement Sharia Law In Michigan To Explain His Opposition To Resettling Syrian Refugees In The United States.“BuzzFeed News obtained audio of a May 28 town hall in Pahrump, Nevada, where Heck, who is running to replace Harry Reid in the Senate, used the claim to explain his opposition to resettling Syrian refugees in the United States.” [Buzzfeed, 6/20/16]
…WHILE HECK PLEDGES HIS SUPPORT FOR DONALD TRUMP…
Heck: “I Have High Hopes That We Will See Donald Trump Become The Next President.” “‘I have high hopes that we will see Donald Trump become the next president,’ he said. ‘Though I don’t necessarily agree with how he talks about women and minorities and all of his policy positions, but if he wants to make America great again by bringing jobs back to America, then I am willing to help him achieve those goals and hold him accountable. And as the next U.S. senator from Nevada, I will make sure I stand as a check against anything that is not in our best interest.’” [Pahrump Valley Times, 6/1/16]
KTNV: Heck “Swatted Away Suggestions” That Trump’s Rhetoric And Immigration Policies Would Hurt His Chances. “Heck also swatted away suggestions that Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric and plans to deport 11 million undocumented migrants would hurt his chances, saying that he won his demographically diverse congressional district by increasingly larger margins over the last three elections.” [KTNV,3/14/16]
Heck On Donald Trump: “He’s Out There Talking About What He Needs To Talk About To Run For President.” “So, what does Congressman Joe Heck, Nevada’s Republican candidate for US Senate, think of the guy at the top of the GOP presidential polls? ‘I don’t talk about Donald,’ Heck told News 3 after a morning event put on by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce. ‘He’s out there talking about what he needs to talk about to run for President,’ Heck added after ‘Eggs and Issues,’ the Chamber’s breakfast debrief with local newsmakers. TheThursday event was held at Vdara in CityCenter.” [KSNV,8/27/15]
…DESPITE TRUMP’S XENOPHOBIC, RACIST, AND ANTI-IMMIGRANT AGENDA TO BAN AND RACIALLY PROFILE AN ENTIRE RELIGION…
Fox News: Trump Planned To Slam The Door On Muslims Seeking To Enter The U.S., Including Refugees, Tourists, And Even Muslim Americans Returning From Trips Abroad.“Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump doubled down Tuesday on his plan to slam the door on Muslims seeking to enter the U.S., including refugees, tourists and, potentially, even Muslim Americans returning from trips abroad.” [Fox News, 12/8/15]
Trump Called For “Total And Complete Shutdown Of Muslims Entering The United States.” In December 2015, Donald Trump press release stated, “Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.” [Donald Trump for President press release, 12/7/15]
Trump Doubled Down On Proposal To Ban Muslims. “In a speech reacting to the massacre in Orlando where 50 people were killed, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump doubles down on his proposal to ban immigration of Muslims, and he expanded his proposal to ‘suspend immigration from areas of the world where there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or allies.’’ [NBC News, 6/13/16]
New York Times: Profiling Muslims Has Been A “Theme” Of Trump’s Campaign.“Donald J. Trump on Sunday renewed his call for the United States to consider profiling as a preventive tactic against terrorism in the aftermath of the mass shooting last week in Orlando, Fla. […] Profiling has been an occasional theme of the Trump campaign. In addition to his most recent comments, Mr. Trump has discussed increased surveillance of Muslims and mosques, and has said that he would consider registering Muslims in a special database or requiring that they carry cards that identify them as Muslim.” [New York Times,6/19/16]
Trump Called For Racial Profiling In Response To Mass Shooting In Orlando. “Donald Trump said Sunday that in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, it’s time for the United States to start looking at racial profiling as a preventative tactic. ‘Well I think profiling is something that we’re going to have to start thinking about as a country,’ the presumptive GOP nominee said in a phone interview with CBS’ ‘Face the Nation. ‘Other countries do it, you look at Israel and you look at others, they do it and they do it successfully. And I hate the concept of profiling but we have to start using common sense and we have to use our heads.’” [CBS News,6/19/16]
…AND TRUMP’S BIZARRE ATTACKS ON A JUDGE’S MEXICAN HERITAGE – THAT EVEN SPEAKER PAUL RYAN CALLED RACIST
Trump Claimed That Judge Presiding Over Lawsuits Against Trump University Had An “Inherent Conflict Of Interest” Because Was “Of Mexican Heritage.” “Donald Trump on Thursday escalated his attacks on the federal judge presiding over civil fraud lawsuits against Trump University, amid criticism from legal observers who say the presumptive GOP presidential nominee’s comments are an unusual affront on an independent judiciary. In an interview, Mr. Trump said U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel had ‘an absolute conflict’ in presiding over the litigation given that he was ‘of Mexican heritage’ and a member of a Latino lawyers’ association. Mr. Trump said the background of the judge, who was born in Indiana to Mexican immigrants, was relevant because of his campaign stance against illegal immigration and his pledge to seal the southern U.S. border. ‘I’m building a wall. It’s an inherent conflict of interest,’ Mr. Trump said.” [Wall Street Journal, 6/3/16]
Speaker Paul Ryan Called Trump’s Remarks About A Latino Judge “Racist.” “Speaker Paul D. Ryan, the nation’s highest-ranking Republican, on Tuesday called Donald J. Trump’s remarks about a Latino judge ‘racist,’ an extraordinary indictment that generated a fresh wave of criticism and panic from other Republicans.” [New York Times, 7/7/16]
FEMALE VOICE: And how’s that plan been working out for us?
MALE VOICE: Lousy for us, but it works for Cortez Masto. Catherine Cortez Masto gave herself an $8,000 pay raise.
THE TRUTH: CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO STOOD WITH FURLOUGHED STATE WORKERS & RETURNED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF HER SALARY
PolitiFact Nevada: It’s Clear That As Attorney General, Cortez Masto Didn’t “Pad Her Pockets” While State Workers Suffered – She Received Essentially The Same Salary During Her Eight Years In Office. “According to information collected from TransparentNevada.com and records request from the state Controller’s office, PolitiFact Nevada put together this spreadsheet of salaries, donations and what percentage of salary was donated back to the state. As shown, it’s clear that as Attorney General, Cortez Masto didn’t ‘pad her pockets’ while state workers suffered – rather, she received essentially the same salary (not counting benefits) during her eight years in office when donations are subtracted out.” [PolitiFact Nevada, 2/3/16]
Las Vegas Sun: Records Show Cortez Masto Returned Salary To Nevada’s General Fund. “Records show most other constitutional officers, who earn less than the governor, have returned more money to the state’s general fund. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, who earns $133,000, has contributed $5,971, or 4.6 percent, for the full fiscal year.” [Las Vegas Sun, 2/24/10]
Cortez Masto Used Automatic Pay Deduction To Return Her Salary. “The state constitutional officers are: Gibbons, Wallin, Secretary of State Ross Miller, Treasurer Kate Marshall, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. Miller, who makes about $87,500 annually, said Monday that he is finalizing his enrollment in the pay deductions. Cortez Masto, whose base salary is listed at $133,000, said she also intends to use the automatic deduction option.” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 12/16/09]
Cortez Masto Spokeswoman: “Catherine Is Going To Take The Same Salary Cuts As State Employees.” “Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and state Controller Kim Wallin are taking the raise, but they said they will return to the state whatever salary reductions are approved by the 2011 Legislature. Masto’s pay will increase to $140,980 with the 6 percent increase, while Wallin will receive $102,890. Miller and Marshall could receive the same amount as Wallin if they took the increase. Otherwise, they will be paid $97,000. […] ‘Catherine is going to take the same salary cuts as state employees,’ added Edie Cartwright, Masto’s spokeswoman.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1/11/11]
2007-2014: Cortez Masto’s Net Salary Remained Flat During Her Eight Years As Nevada’s Attorney General And Never Rose Above Her $132,000 Starting Salary In 2007.According to salary records from the Attorney General’s office and furlough donation receipts, Cortez Masto’s returned $44,552 while state workers were furloughed. Even when Nevada law mandated a $8,000 increase in 2011, Cortez Masto voluntarily returned her salary increase so that her net salary remained flat during her eight years as Attorney General. [Nevada Attorney General Office records, Catherine Cortez Masto Salary, 2007-2014; Furlough Receipts for Catherine Cortez Masto, 2010-2014]
FEMALE VOICE: What?!
MALE VOICE: Yeah, get this; first a judge throws her politically motivated prosecutions out of court, and then when people working for the state are getting laid off, Catherine Cortez Masto gave herself a pay raise.
FEMALE VOICE: (Sigh) That is the same old Democrat plan.
REALITY: CORTEZ MASTO DID NOT “GIVE HERSELF” A PAY RAISE, SHE GAVE BACK SALARY MANDATED BY STATE LAW THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO LEGALLY REJECT
PolitiFact Nevada: Cortez Masto Was Unable To Legally Reject The Pay Increase. “The NRSC said Cortez Masto ‘was happy to line her own pockets with taxpayer dollars when state employees were slammed with frozen salaries,’ but this is a highly misleading claim. The state increased Cortez Masto’s salary during a time of pay freezes for Nevada’s state workers. She was unable to legally reject the pay increase, so she donated $38,000 back to the state during her last four years in office. We rate the claim Mostly False.” [PolitiFact Nevada, 2/3/16]
Department Of Administration Director Andrew Clinger: The State “Must Add The Raises To The Checks Of Every Elected Official,” But They Can Voluntarily Return The Cash To The State Or Donate It To Charity.“‘They take office in January and we can’t pass a law until February at the earliest, so they’re in the middle of their new term,’ said Andrew Clinger, Department of Administration director. ‘You can’t change their salary in the middle of a new term.’ Clinger said state payroll must add the raises to the checks of every elected official from the governor to members of the Assembly. Those elected officials can, however, voluntarily return the cash to the state or donate it to charity. All six constitutional officers returned or donated amounts equal to 4.6 percent of their pay since furloughs were implemented, to match the reductions suffered by state workers over the past two years, according to the controller’s office. Letters are being mailed to those officials telling them how they can do the same with the 6 percent raises if they choose, a spokesman said.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal,12/24/10]
Constitutional Officers Received 6 Percent Salary Increase Because Nevada Law Mandated That Their Salary Be Tied To State Workers From The Previous Four Years. “Nevada constitutional officers and legislators will get a 6 percent pay raise Jan. 1because of a law that ties their salaries to those of classified state workers. The 5-year-old law mandates that elected officials get raises equal to those given to state classified employees over the previous four years.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal,12/24/10]
State Workers Received 2 Percent Increase In 2007 And 4 Percent Increase In 2008. “State workers received 2 percent in July 2007 and 4 percent in July 2008, the Nevada Appeal reported Thursday.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 12/24/10]
MALE VOICE: America’s PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by America’s PAC and not authorized by any other candidate or committee. americaspac527.com.
THE TRUTH: CONGRESSMAN HECK’S FINANCIAL BACKERS HAVE BEEN FUNDING MISLEADING & RACE-BAITING ADS AGAINST CORTEZ MASTO
Headline: Daily Kos: “‘Race-Baiting’ Super PAC Attacks Catherine Cortez Masto.”[Daily Kos, 5/20/16]
Americas PAC Spent $94,000 On Race-Baiting Ads Attacking Cortez Masto. “A Super PAC trying to help Rep. Joe Heck defeat the woman who would be the first Latina ever elected to the U.S. Senate is trying to peel off Hispanic voters with a new radio ad. America’s PAC, using tactics it has employed before, is running a Spanish-language radio ad (audio attached, transcript below) that essentially accuses Cortez Masto of supporting pro-choice policies that ‘abort our future.’ The ad’s first line shows its intent: ‘Does Catherine Cortez Masto care that 3 out of 5 babies aborted in America are Black and Hispanic?’ The buy is about $94,000 in Las Vegas and Reno.” [Ralston Reports,5/19/16]
Americas PAC Was Heavily Financed By Richard Uihlein.“America’s PAC is heavily financed by millionaire Richard Uihlein, a major supporter of national tea party candidates. Uihlein is one of 2014’s largest political donors, and he is the owner of the Uline shipping empire. Since the 2012 election, Uihlein has given America’s PAC $1.35 million.” [Mother Jones, 10/10/14]
In 2015, Richard Uihlein Contributed $500,000 Of The $520,000 Raised By Americas PAC, Representing 96 Percent Of Their 2015 Total.[Americas PAC, Year End FEC Report, filed 1/19/16]
Heck Donor Richard Uihlein Funded Americas PAC, Which Has A History Of Running Ads Denounced By Republicans For Race-Baiting. “America’s PAC has been very controversial, running ads that even Republicans have denounced, including George W. Bush’s campaign and the RNC, which accused the PAC of race-baiting. The PAC has received seven figures over the years from Richard Uihlein, a conservative Wisconsin businessman who has funded far-right groups. He gave $500,000 to America’s PAC late last year. He also gave $1,000 to Heck last October.” [Ralston Reports, 5/19/16]
April 11, 2016: Heck Received $5,400 From Richard Uihlein, CEO Of Uline. [Heck Q2 Pre-Primary Report (p. 257), filed on 5/28/16]
October 21, 2015: Heck Received $1,000 From Richard Uihlein, CEO At Uline. [Q4 2015 Heck FEC Report (p. 198), filed2/4/16]
REALITY: AMERICAS PAC HAS A HISTORY OF RUNNING RACISTS AND OFFENSIVE ADS…
Americas PAC Had A Reputation For Inflammatory And Repulsive Radio Ads.“The abortion ad is classic Americas PAC. The group turned heads in the 2006 elections when it aired nearly $1 million in radio spots that critics derided as inflammatory and ‘repulsive.’” [Mother Jones,10/10/14]
In 2002, Nadler Created An Ad Comparing Social Security to Slavery Reparations; The Ad Was Later Pulled After Being Called Racially Insensitive. “In 2002, he created an ad for GOPAC, a Republican interest group, comparing Social Security benefits to slavery reparations — except paid to whites by blacks. The group pulled the ad after it was criticized as racially insensitive.” [New York Sun, 10/17/06]
Americas PAC Previously Aired Ad Linking Democrats to KKK Leader David Duke.“Another ad aimed at black voters linked Democrats who supported an end to the war in Iraq to former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. The ad aired after Duke spoke at an anti-war rally in Syria. ‘I can understand why a Ku Klux Klan cracker like David Duke makes nice with the terrorists,’ says the ad’s male narrator. ‘What I want to know is why so many of the Democrat politicians I helped elect are on the same side of the Iraq War as David Duke?’” [Mother Jones,10/10/14]
Americas PAC Ad Linked Democrat Support for Abortions to Reducing the African American Population.“Republican-friendly groups have sought to damp enthusiasm for Democrats among African-Americans by placing ads on black radio stations critical of Mr. Kerry and his party. One ad financed by Americas PAC, a group led by conservative activist Richard Nadler, blasts Democrats for backing ‘liberal abortions laws that are decimating our people.’ Mr. Nadler says his group’s $1 million ad spending isn’t meant to specifically depress the African-American turnout. “Our ads … are reducing the Democratic vote and increasing the Republican vote,” he says. ‘Which part of that equation am I supposed to dislike?’” [Wall Street Journal, 10/27/04]
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) Called The Ads “Repugnant, Vicious” And Filled With “Outright Lies That Distort The Facts.” “Rep. John Lewis, a black Democrat from Georgia, called the ads ‘repugnant, vicious’ and filled with ‘outright lies that distort the facts.’ ‘They are a deliberate, systematic effort to try to discourage African-American voters from turning out and voting,’ Lewis said. ‘These people know that the African-American vote is not going to go to the Republicans. The whole idea is to confuse people and raise doubts in their minds.’” [Fox News,9/29/04]
… DENOUNCED BY REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AS “INAPPROPRIATE” AND “RACE-BAITING”
George W. Bush Campaign Denounced Americas PAC Ad As “Inappropriate,” RNC Called The Ad “Racist Or Race-Baiting In Intent.” “ Americas Pac is the brainchild of a Kansas-based Republican consultant, Richard Nadler. He said Sunday that he is no longer affiliated with the group. ‘Mr. Nadler is the genius. We basically follow his game plan,’ the group’s new chief, Thomas Donelson of Marion, Iowa, said. In 2000, Mr. Nadler came under fire for a school choice-related ad in which parents said their son’s violence ridden public school ‘was a bit more diversity than he could handle.’ Mr. Bush’s campaign denounced the ad as ‘inappropriate,’ and the Republican National Committee called it ‘racist or race-baiting in intent.’” [New York Sun, 10/17/06]
Founder of Americas PAC, Ralph Nadler, Came Under Fire In 2000 for Blaming School Violence on Diversity; Republicans Later Criticized Ad As Inappropriate and Racist. “In 2000, Mr. Nadler came under fire for a school choice-related ad in which parents said their son’s violence ridden public school ‘was a bit more diversity than he could handle.’ Mr. Bush’s campaign denounced the ad as ‘inappropriate,’ and the Republican National Committee called it ‘racist or race-baiting in intent.’” [New York Sun,10/17/06]
REALITY: AMERICAS PAC FOUNDER RICHARD UIHLEIN FUNDED RACISTS AND ANTI-SEMITIC GROUPS…
Americas PAC Was Heavily Financed By Richard Uihlein.“ Americas PAC is heavily financed by millionaire Richard Uihlein, a major supporter of national tea party candidates. Uihlein is one of 2014’s largest political donors, and he is the owner of the Uline shipping empire. Since the 2012 election, Uihlein has given Americas PAC $1.35 million.” [Mother Jones, 10/10/14]
Richard Uihlein Channeled Funds From His Family’s Personal Charity to Conservative Political Groups. “A Chicago Sun-Times examination of annual IRS 990 reports filed by the tax-exempt Ed Uihlein Family Foundation, where Uihlein serves as president, reveals major donations from the charity to nonprofits devoted to promoting a conservative political agenda.” [Chicago Sun-Times, 9/07/15]
Ed Uihlein Family Foundation
990 Filing Year
Donation Recipient
Amount
2011
American Opinion Foundation
$250,000
2013
American Opinion Foundation
$250,000
TOTAL
$500,000
[Ed Uihlein Family Foundation IRS 990 forms; 2011, 2013]
American Opinion Foundation Was An Arm Of The Conservative John Birch Society. “The clamor over nationwide K-12 academic standards adopted by Wisconsin and discussed at four recent statewide hearings intensified this week with news that several out-of-state speakers critical of the standards received compensation through an arm of the conservative John Birch Society. Leaders of the American Opinion Foundation, an independent nonprofit associated with the Wisconsin-based society, say they paid for about $5,500 worth of travel expenses for five Common Core State Standards critics to speak at the hearings in Fond du Lac, Eau Claire and Wausau this month.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/31/13]
American Opinion Foundation Board Included Members Of The John Birch Society.[American Opinion Foundation Website, Accessed 5/18/16]
Headline: Southern Poverty Law Center: “The John Birch Society, The Conspiracist Group Exiled By The Right A Half Century Ago, Is On The March And Gaining Influence.” [Southern Poverty Law Center, 3/1/13]
Southern Poverty Law Center: The John Birch Society Has Faced “Charged Of Racism And Anti-Semitism” Since Its Founding. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “Charges of racism and anti-Semitism have dogged the John Birch Society since its earliest days. It opposed civil rights legislation in the 1960s, saying the African-American freedom movement was being manipulated from Moscow with the goal of creating a ‘Soviet Negro Republic’ in the Southern United States.” [Southern Poverty Law Center, 3/1/13]
Charles Koch Was “A Member And Funder Of The John Birch Society” When It Denounced The Selma March As A Typical Demonstration Of Communist Activism.’”According to the Center for Media and Democracy’s PR Watch, “Charles Koch was a member and funder of the John Birch Society in 1965, when it issued a statement denouncing how a ‘horde of termites from all over the country, led by half-crazed ministers and professors, swarmed over the small town of Selma, Alabama, in a typical demonstration of Communist activism.’” [Center for Media and Democracy’s PR Watch, 1/5/15]
…AND DONATED $1 MILLION TO TED CRUZ’ SUPER PAC AS CRUZ PROMISED TO DEPORT 11 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING DREAMERS…
Headline: CNN: “Megadonor Dick Uihlein Gives $1 Million To Ted Cruz’s Super PAC.”[CNN, 1/7/16]
Headline: NBC News: “Dreamer Says She Fears Deportation After Exchange With Ted Cruz.” [NBC News,1/7/16]
Cruz Tells DACA Recipient Deporting People Like Her Would Be A Priority In A Cruz Administration. “GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz told an immigrant from Mexico, who has been praised by Cruz’s national campaign Rep. Steve King as someone who ‘lights up any room,’ that there are consequences for law breakers like her who come to the country illegally. Cruz’s response to Ofelia Valdez, who works for a non-profit that assists children with special needs, drew applause from those attending the Storm Lake, Iowa, eventWednesday. In an interview with NBC News Latino, Valdez said Cruz’s declaration that deporting people like her would be a priority was hard to hear and disappointing.” [NBC News,1/7/16]
Headline: Washington Post: “Cruz: As President I Will Find, Deport Undocumented Immigrants.” [Washington Post, 2/22/16]
Cruz Promised To Find An Deport More Than 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants.“Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) significantly sharpened his stance on immigration Monday, stating that he would find and deport the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. ‘Yes, we should deport them,’ Cruz said on Fox News. When asked by host Bill O’Reilly if he would ‘look for them,’ Cruz said yes. ‘Of course you would. That’s what ICE exists for,’ Cruz said, using an acronym for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ‘We have law enforcement that looks for people who are violating the laws that apprehends them and deports them.’” [Washington Post, 2/22/16]
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