Forget The (uh) 527, Let's Do a 501c(4)! Yeah, A c(4)!

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by: TaxCheatGeithner

(Added clip from FTS – video could use a hip-hop backbeat – promoted by Colorado Pols)

Determined to make the best of Billionaire Phil Anschutz’s soft money, the McInnis campaign recently decided they couldn’t use a 527 since Scott let the cat out of the bag all over the internet a couple of months ago:

Apparently Scott, Hesse, Duffy and Tonner sat down for a cigar to think of new ways to use the money. “I know!” Sean said. “Let’s do a 501c(4), that way no one can accuse us of using a 527!” And, thus, a c(4) is born:

A new, conservatively-aligned think tank is taking shape in Colorado, but few details are available about the forthcoming launch of the Colorado Policy Institute…

CPI will be organized under section [501](c)(4), allowing the group to take a greater role in elections if it so chooses. Despite the group’s structure similar to a typical non-profit, donations to CPI would not be tax deductible.

“Once we’re up and running we’ll have conversations with II and other center-right organizations, so we aren’t duplicative in our efforts,” said CPI Director Sean Tonner, who is also president of the political consulting firm Phase Line Strategies.

In April, Tonner was in the news when all-but-announced gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis left voicemails with GOP donors naming Tonner as the point person for a 527 political committee supportive of his upcoming candidacy. The messages raised questions about possible illegal coordination under campaign finance laws. McInnis quickly clarified the message, telling The Denver Post that Tonner is “a supporter and answering questions about potential future 527s.” Tonner tells Face The State that CPI is unrelated to the McInnis campaign.

Soft money is soft money. These guys will need balls the size of church bells to spend CPI money supporting McInnis!

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12 thoughts on “Forget The (uh) 527, Let’s Do a 501c(4)! Yeah, A c(4)!”

coop says:

August 7, 2009 at 6:17 pm

But I guess we are about to find out what Scott’s early votes in Congress to help Qwest get started were really worth.

I’d be surprised if Scooter really wants the word “Qwest” associated with everything his new c(4) does. Nacchios anyone?

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redstateblues says:

August 7, 2009 at 6:23 pm

He’s ahead in the polls. Voters don’t really care very much about this kind of thing unless there’s a criminal conviction. They’re way more concerned with the real issues.

I think McInnis is actually doing a really good job of staying on message lately (his Your Show appearance was a testament to his prior political experience) whereas Penry’s campaign and allies have been focused on attacking Scooter.

I guess that’s what campaigns do when they are down 20 points in the polls though.

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1. AngieS says:
  
  August 7, 2009 at 6:44 pm
  
  You mean the way McLobbyist handled the question about leaving the nation with a huge national debt? Wow! That was inspiring to hear! I loved the line about not apologizing for burdening my son with his massive record of spending.
  
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  1. redstateblues says:
    
    August 7, 2009 at 6:49 pm
    
    He didn’t mention Penry once. That’s called staying on message.
    
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    1. coop says:
      
      August 7, 2009 at 6:54 pm
      
      He is very careful never to use Penry’s name. Did you hear him on Caplis and Silverman the other day, though? He spent a couple of minutes shamelessly promoting Dan Maes. Probably said his name ten times in two minutes and was trying to force Silverman to talk about him.
      
      Weird strategy, unless he has already decided to skip the party’s nominating process.
      
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      1. RedGreen says:
        
        August 8, 2009 at 12:12 am
        
        earlier this spring that he plans to petition onto the ballot. Have those plans changed?
        
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AngieS says:

August 7, 2009 at 6:39 pm

I found a picture of it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4…

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WashParkPoet says:

August 7, 2009 at 6:45 pm

After the way we have seen Stryker, Gill, and Polis literally buy elections in Colorado using well organized and coordinated (I know, there is that word again) campaign plans—Pols is surprised that Republican candidates are doing the same?? At least don’t feign Common Cause-type concern..

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1. redstateblues says:
  
  August 7, 2009 at 6:48 pm
  
  That is freaking hilarious. Were they handing a bag of money to people outside polling places after they swore on their hearts that they voted straight Democratic?
  
  Maybe you should learn what literally means. Let me help you out: you literally used the wrong word.
  
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  1. scodtt says:
    
    August 8, 2009 at 6:31 am
    
    Check out: http://literally.barelyfitz.com/
    
    The only time one should use the word is when trying to describe something as true that could otherwise be confused as a metaphor, as in, “He literally bought the farm.”
    
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DavidThi808 says:

August 7, 2009 at 6:46 pm

These guys will need balls the size of church bells to spend CPI money supporting McInnis!

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for the Gipper says:

August 7, 2009 at 7:08 pm

It is a foregone conclusion that the money Tonner is waiting on or perhaps already has is Anschutz money. That being said, I ask everyone posting here today to go out and google “Anschutz + bribery”. Its not pretty friends. Hopefully Tonner sets some $$$$ aside for the ‘ol legal defense fund! I like my Nacchios with extra cheez!

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