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President Barack Obama, left, and Republican Mitt Romney, right, both are courting Hispanic voters as the 2012 presidential election approaches.
By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Published Thursday, July 19, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, July 24, 2012 | 1:29 p.m.
Sun coverage
It’s not just the candidates out there trying to get your vote.
Thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court, a plethora of political organizations will be spending tens of millions of dollars in Nevada in an attempt to sway you.
These groups with non-descript names, usually including the word “American” or “patriot,” aren’t necessarily working to capture your vote for a particular candidate. Often, they’re pushing an ideology espoused by powerful donors, who, in many cases, they keep secret.
Here’s a look at the seven biggest outside organizations working the 2012 election in Nevada, which generally are working either for the benefit of President Barack Obama and Rep. Shelley Berkley, or presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Sen. Dean Heller.
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American Commitment
Position: Anti-Berkley
Type: Nonprofit issue advocacy group, a 501(c)(4) under the tax code, which is not required to report all of its donors.
Major backers: None have been revealed.
Intent: This group is one of the newest on the scene. As a result, very little is known about it by journalists or even others in the political arena.
The organization was founded by Phil Kerpen, who used to work for Americans for Prosperity — funded by industrialists David and Charles Koch — and the Club for Growth.
According to its website, the group is focused on engaging in public policy “fights over the size and intrusiveness of government.”
So far, it has spent $110,000 in ads against Berkley, according to the Washington Post.
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American Crossroads/Crossroads GPS
Position: Anti-Berkley and Anti-Obama
Type: American Crossroads is a super PAC, which must report its donors. Crossroads GPS is a nonprofit advocacy group that does not.
Major backers: Crossroads is most famous for its co-founder, Karl Rove, the political strategist for George W. Bush. Biggest donors include Texas-based holding company Contran Corp., Perry Homes and Chartwell Partners, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Intent: Both Crossroads organizations have played a major role in 2010 and is positioned to be one of the biggest outside forces in Nevada this year. Active in both the presidential and U.S. Senate race, the two organizations have already spent $5.3 million on Nevada airwaves and have reserved another $6.1 million in time for the fall.
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American Future Fund
Position: Anti-Obama
Type: Nonprofit issue advocacy group, which is not required to report all of its donors.
Major backers: AFF is one in a web of political nonprofit organizations funded by the Koch brothers network, according to news reports.
Intent: So far, American Future Fund is focused on ousting Obama and has spent more than $5 million in key battlegrounds states, including Nevada.
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Americans for Prosperity
Position: Anti-Obama, Anti-Berkley
Type: Nonprofit issue advocacy group, which is not required to report all of its donors.
Major backers: The Koch brothers and their network of conservative, limited government organizations help fund AFP. Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson has also pledged $10 million to the group this year.
Intent: The Koch brothers have spent decades pushing a libertarian, pro-business philosophy through various political organizations. In 2010, AFP played a key role in helping Republicans take over the House.
In Nevada, the group will play heavily in both the Senate and presidential races. So far, they’ve spent $700,000 on air, with plans for more.
But AFP isn’t just on TV. It plans to organize a ground game in Nevada, identifying and turning out voters. Today, the organization is launching an anti-Berkley bus tour of the state.
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Patriot Majority
Position: Anti-Heller
Type: Operates both a super PAC, which must disclose its donors, and a nonprofit issue advocacy group, which is not required to report all of its donors.
Major backers: Patriot Majority was founded by Craig Varoga, a former staffer to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. It is heavily funded by labor unions.
Intent: Founded in 2010 to help Reid keep his seat, the group is now focused on helping him keep the majority in the Senate. So far, it’s spent about $1 million against Heller, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
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Priorities USA
Position: Anti-Romney
Type: Super PAC, which must disclose its donors.
Major backers: Co-founded by former Obama press secretary Bill Burton and former Bill Clinton aide Paul Begala. Major funders include labor unions and Hollywood millionaires.
Intent: The pro-Obama super PAC was late to the super PAC game this cycle. Obama initially voiced opposition to Super PACs. But liberal donors soon became nervous about the millions flowing to Republican Super PACs, prompting the formation of Priorities USA. So far, the PAC has been outraised by the pro-Romney super PAC. So far, it’s spent $10 million in key battleground states, including Nevada.
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Restore Our Future
Position: Anti-Obama
Type: Super PAC, which must disclose its donors.
Major backers: Charles Spies, the Romney campaign’s legal adviser in 2008, launched Restore Our Future in 2010. Major contributors include Adelson, who gave $10 million; Texas millionaire Bob Perry; and hedge fund managers Paul Singer, Julian Robertson and Robert Mercer.
Intent: Restore Our Future played a major role in the Republican primary, often acting as attack dog so the campaign could keep its hands clean. So far, the PAC has spent $53 million, most of it in the primary. Its general election strategy includes heavy spending in Nevada.
This story has been edited to correct the number of organizations included on the list.
Funny that 5 out of 7 are Republican/ Tea Party !And funded by the rich..
President Obama in Roanoke Virginia July 13, 2012 'If You've Got a Business -- You Didn't Build That. Somebody Else Made That Happen' If You Are A Socialist Or A Communist Then You Are Rejoicing That Obama Came Clean And Is Out Of The Closet. Obama: "I chose my friends carefully. The more politically active black students, the foreign students, the Chicanos, the Marxist professors." ~ Barack Obama (Dreams From My Father.) Obama, Commie mother, commie father, commie grandparents, commie mentor, commie friends ...... commie Barack. Not too difficult to figure this out.
Election2012 Capitalism or Socialism. Your choice.
I am in the largest Super PAC there is in the United States. Called the American voter. We don't have much money, nor are we influenced by money, nor can we be bought, but one thing is a natural fact: We are the deciders as to who represents us in Government. It cannot be taken away from us. No member of the U.S. Supreme Court, no politician, nor any voting laws can stop us from wielding our power on election day.
That's how important the vote is now. People are people. Corporations are not people. Nor are the rich/filthy rich who think they can pick their own Government by flinging money at the process. Money is only money. Money is definitely not people. I say again: People are people. Voters are voters. Simple as that. Don't let all this other crap cloud your views. Make up your own mind and forget the smoke and mirrors.
"Here's a look at the eight biggest outside organizations working the 2012 election in Nevada..."
Damon -- ain't free speech a wonderful thing?
"Democracy is a form of government that substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few." -- George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, 1925 Nobel Prize winner
A handful of billionaires can sway elections through television ads with attaching their name. I'm pretty sure if something negative was being said about most of you, you would like to know who it was.
Mr. Roger's is asking, "Can you say oligarchy?"
Sheldon Adelson can spend what amounts to a quarter of 1% of his wealth on manipulating elections and there are vast numbers of people saying the rich are entitled to their billions and stop taxing them.
To the average American who makes $5ok per yr, how would you like to have certain Politicians on a string for $125? Sheldon Adelson does and has convinced a ton of you he is overtaxed.
two more excellent websites to stay ahead of the scum trying to destroy our Republic:
http://news.muckety.com/
http://factcheck.org/
Here's a link to the web of Sheldon G. Adelson our hometown arm-twister http://www.muckety.com/Sheldon-G-Adelson...
These Super-PACs are a cancer on our Democracy. We need to identify those companies and contributors and NOT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS. Don't spend ANY money at the Venetian or Palazzo, and tell out-of-towners to avoid the place. Do this FOREVER, or until he loses his license (which may be coming if the allegations are proven).
Colin, July 19, 2012 @6:05 a.m. stated:
I am in the largest Super PAC there is in the United States. Called the American voter. We don't have much money, nor are we influenced by money, nor can we be bought, but one thing is a natural fact: We are the deciders as to who represents us in Government. It cannot be taken away from us. No member of the U.S. Supreme Court, no politician, nor any voting laws can stop us from wielding our power on election day.
That's how important the vote is now. People are people. Corporations are not people. Nor are the rich/filthy rich who think they can pick their own Government by flinging money at the process. Money is only money. Money is definitely not people. I say again: People are people. Voters are voters. Simple as that. Don't let all this other crap cloud your views. Make up your own mind and forget the smoke and mirrors.
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That comment was so eloquently stated. Thank you.
Have a wonderful day!
"Funny that 5 out of 7 are Republican/ Tea Party !And funded by the rich.."
I don't know what's funnier, to be honest -- the fact that you appear to be unable to count, or that you don't consider millions of dollars being thrown at anti-Republican efforts as being from "the rich."
Term limits on the Supreme Court would help. When the President who appointed you steps down,so do you. A governing job for life is part of what our forefathers left England for in the first place. No government job should be for life.
I just don't want people more familiar with George Clooney's living room buying the election/running the country. You can kiss what's left of the middle-class goodbye.
Obama's is full of transparency or something.
Please read: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/...
50% of congress is made up of multi-millionaires, representing 99% of the US population that are are not millionaires. Who do we have representing the 99% of Real Americans? These life long rich politicians have 99 things to take care of before they get around to the 1%. Caribou Barbie was the only representative that has come along that actually knows how to balance a checkbook or what it's like to worry about a power bill and the home mortgage. Incumbents need to be gone.
Is it November yet???
I can say.."1st Amendment."
ThroughOut History:
All governments recognize that powerful organizations, (religious, military, foriegn governments)and popular/powerful individuals (Hitler, Stalin was a newpaper man) could "sway" the populous...
Most governments try to regulate the free market place of ideas for one pretext or another..
but according to James Madison and..Lincoln..that is not the solution..
James Madison believed there was a "truth" and the people would always find it..but only if they were free to hear Every Idea from Every Source and express their opinion openly..without fear of reprisal or retribution..And that meant..free access to "group opionions" even opinions from powerful organizations..(Churches, SuperPacs, Or the Hearst Newspaper.Org)
Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people etc.
Those Super Pacs And those "angry old men" as Reid called them, and ...any well funded... group have the right to publish their opinion the same as this newspaper..and you have the right to hear it...
To Madison..Madison believed you had the right to hear and you had the power to discern the truth..no matter who said it.
Madison and Lincoln trusted the people..
Now if the Sun would just publish a list of "Eight Newspapers Trying to Sway Your Vote This Election"
If corporations are "people" does that mean they can be taxed at the individual rate and loose all of the corporate tax breaks? Just asking.
xtra..when the discussion can be completely bought and there is ultimately only a monologue, there is no "free expression". Also, there was supposed to be disclosure as to who was actually doing the talking, newspaper bylines, etc. Finally, the Founding Fathers would roll in their graves if they knew that the money for this discussion could be coming from a foreign government without the people knowing it!
Half of the population of these United States owns just 1.1% of the wealth. The top 1% percent of wealthy Americans owned 34.5% in 2010 and the top 10% combined own 74.5% of the wealth. Just six banks control over 60% of the GDP.
If billionaires wanted to purchase this goverment they easily have the capability to do so. Which, for those on the fringe right, would be detrimental to all and abolish our Democratic process. You might want to get rid of President Obama now, but at what price?
Have you heard of that guy who created a creature out of human body parts and couldn't control it? His name was doctor Frankenstein, and by doing so he suffered personal horror leading to his death. Be very careful of what you might think you want without recognizing the consequences.
No milt1007 its Election 2012: Lies or The Truth..that is NOT what Obama said..get a clue and read the transcript.
Don't need outside sources to tell sway voters, Obama is doing the job himself. What candidate would run on raising taxes on the middle class, and cutting taxes on the rich and corporation, who would run to reverse Roe vs. Wade, who would run promising to ship US job overseas, Obama wants you to believe Romney will do just that, but in actuality its Obama who is doing exactly that. Obama taxing corporations is only stalling job creation, Obama has rewarded companies that have job overseas with his stimulus and bailouts, its Obama who want to raise those making $250,000 by 25% while just keeping the middle class tax rate the same, don't let Obama fool you, he has spent $9 trillion over the last three years and has nothing to show for it but a $15 trillion nation debt. Obama will do and say anything to get your vote, gay marriage, immigration law, help for the middle class, credit for small businesses, but where has he been these last three years.
A list of bailouts of the financial system to avert an even worse economic crisis and major depression than the one we have been moving through.
http://projects.propublica.org/bailout/l...
My question is, what can be done to prevent this from happening again?