PUSHING BACK AGAINST WINGNUT EXTREMISTS

Freedom's Watch has paid for an ad run on a local wingnut radio station, KNST, that attacks Gabrielle Giffored (D- AZ 8) The folks at Blue America are pushing back and you can make a contribution here.

Progressive Group Slams Freedom's Watch in Robo-Calls

Blue America, a political action committee composed of some of the most prominent progressive bloggers nationwide, is launching automated phone calls into a handful of congressional districts today to defend Democrats from attacks by the conservative group Freedom's Watch.

The calls, which will go into the districts of Reps. Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Steve Kagen (Wisc.) as well as open seat House races in New Jersey's 3rd and 7th district and statewide in Maine where Rep. Tom Allen is challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins, take direct aim at planned calls by Freedom's Watch, announced last week, targeting a handful of Democratic incumbents and challengers over the rising cost of gas.

"We don't want Karl Rove to pick off the good progressives who are already running in 2008, so we're putting robocalls into their districts to counter the deceptive ones created by Freedom's Watch," explained Jane Hamsher, the founder of Firedoglake and a member of Blue America.
John Amato, founder of Crooks and Liars, added: "[Freedom's Watch is] blaming Democrats for the outrageous gas prices we now see all across America, ... which is actually the product of almost eight years of Republican control."

Sources familiar with Blue America would not discuss exact dollar amounts being spent on the ads but insisted it was in the tens of thousands of dollars. At the end of May, the group reported having raised $343,000 so far this year with $294,000 in the bank. Blue America is also spending cash on behalf of Georgia state Sen. Regina Thomas (D) who is running a primary challenge against Rep. John Barrow (D) in the 12th district today.

"Freedom's Watch is actually a group of Bush supporters desperate to keep your eye off the Iraq war and the saber-rattling in Iran," says Farrell. He adds that the group is "fronting for Karl Rove and billionaires" trying to deceive voters.

(The link between Rove, former deputy White House chief of staff and lead political strategist for President George W. Bush, comes from a terrific story (subscribers only) written by National Journal's Peter Stone in which he reports: "Rove has been busy pitching in by giving informal advice to McCain's team and spending a considerable amount of time as an outside adviser to Freedom's Watch, the conservative political group that is expected to spend tens of millions of dollars to help elect House GOP candidates." Rove did not return an email seeking comment.)