Americans for Prosperity, a national pro-tea party group commonly associated with the Koch brothers, has begun spending heavily in Wisconsin to defend Gov. Scott Walker in his upcoming recall election. The organization's first ad, which you can see above, will receive significant air time across the state, according to Greg Sargent:
Americans for Prosperity Foundation spokesman Levi Russell confirms to me that the $700,000 ad buy will fund this ad in various Wisconsin markets, and another ad to be unveiled next week.
The ad does not specifically mention Scott Walker, but instead portrays Wisconsin as moving in a positive direction because of the public policies which have passed under Walker's administration. This is done because the ad is backed by the 501(c)3 branch of Americans for Prosperity, which cannot take part in electoral activities in order to both maintain its tax-exempt status and the ability of it's donors to make unlimited, tax-deductible contributions.
However, if Wisconsinites feel that their state is moving in a positive direction due to public policies enacted over the last year, then they are more likely to approve of Scott Walker's job performance. If Walker's approval goes up, then he is more likely to win the recall election. As such, for all intents and purposes this is a pro-Walker ad backed by unlimited, tax-deductible donations.
This is a pretty sweet way for wealthy right-wingers to game the system. They can make large contributions to organizations in order to reduce the amount of taxes they have to pay, and then they can have those organizations engage in political advocacy designed to further reduce the amount of taxes they have to pay.
To fight back, contribute $5 to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin on Orange to Blue. While your contributions are not tax deductible, 100 percent of what you give will go toward the grassroots effort to recall Scott Walker and other Republicans in Wisconsin.