Nation-Building >> Gephardt Unions financed Willie Horton style attack ad | return to front page

It seems that several labor unions who are backing Dick Gephardt may have been snookered into funding those nasty attack ads. An AP report states that those groups donated $50000 each to the 527 organisation, "Americans for Jobs, Healthcare and Progressive Values". Joe Trippi has called for the ad to be pulled, as it stoops to a level not seen since the RNC smeared Max Cleland last season. So far, the International Association of Machinists, has expressed remorse and requested the ads be pulled. Others are whispering off the record that the damage done to Gephardt far outweighs any benefits of the ad buy.
This is what the fight for Iowa has come to, folks. Gephardt is making his stand there, and he's apparently vowed to win by whatever means neccessary. Consider this a test of what we'll face if we go up against Bush next fall. React to this in whichever way you choose (letters to Gephardt, donations to Dean, signing petitions, writing letters to Iowans, whatever), but please don't just sit there and let these people make a mockery of the process.
More on this issue may be found in our archives here, here, and here.