I’ve learned that Mentzer Media Services, an East Coast-based media buying firm, is checking TV advertising rates and time availabilities around California. Mentzer has bought air time for many Republican governors and U.S. senators, and the Republican Governors Association. In the 2004 presidential election, Mentzer handled time buying for the two biggest conservative Republican “527″ committees, the Progress for America Voter Fund and Swift Boat Vets and POWs for Truth. Unlike political action committees regulated by the Federal Elections Commission and state agencies, a so-called 527 organization is governed by section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. 527 committees do not fall within the regulatory realm of the Federal Election Commission and are not subject to the same limits as FEC-regulated PACs and state agencies. They are permitted to accept contributions in any amount from any source. This might be a move by as yet undisclosed Republicans to help battered Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has begun a recovery in the polls but who faces the prospect of seeing two well-funded Democrats on TV between now and their June primary. His own re-election campaign is very low on money and the California Republican Party is not exactly flush, either. And this year, unlike last year, Schwarzeneggeer cannot raise money in huge six-figure chunks. Contributions to the gubernatorial campaigns from sources other than the candidate are limited to $22,300 each.
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20 Comments
Rob:What a shocker: Arnold hires Bush staffers. Nasty Swift Boat ads follow.
Jan 30, 2006 - 5:09 pm Bill Bradley:While that is a logical scenario as I’ve suggested, we don’t actually know that.
Jan 30, 2006 - 5:32 pm Alan Pate:I for one am very happy to see the “Swift Boat Vets and POWs for Truth” come to the aid of another worthy cause, if that is what they are doing.
They sure enlighten us about the truths about John Kerry.
Jan 30, 2006 - 5:50 pm James:Funny, I didn’t realize Angelides or Westly had military service records to throw mud at.
I hope the SwiftBoaters fall flat in California. They are pond scum. There is something truly disgusting about veterans attacking other veterans based on political orientation. Any veteran who serves honorably in wartime deserves respect. Period. If the Republican Party has any shred of honor and respect for veterans like they say they do, they would distance themselves from the SwiftBoaters and the Cybercast News Service. Nuff said.
Jan 30, 2006 - 7:34 pm Bill Bradley:Well, remember this is the firm that worked for the 527s in ‘04. Their media buyers in that campaign. We don’t know who they are working for now.
Jan 30, 2006 - 7:39 pm tracy:Why are these things so secret?
Jan 30, 2006 - 11:20 pm Bill Bradley:If it is harder to identify the source of campaign funds and they can be contributed in any amount, it is easier to conceal the motivation behind major hits against targeted politicians.
Jan 31, 2006 - 12:28 am Barbara:I am not a political maven …how does this exactly work?…the contributor gives to the 527 organization for a candidate then the 527 organization creates its own ads on behalf of the candidate with its own consultants etc or the candidate’s consultants then pays this Mentzer to buy time…and if Mentzer is already pricing then the ads must be already in the making or even ready to roll out…and then what does this mean…if the ads roll out and the gov’s numbers go up. Do the two Dems just watch him climb as they battle this out or do they have to battle each other and take on him before June or do they just bring aback the Fireman to do it.. I think Iwould bring back the Fireman….Have fun in the hinterland!
Jan 31, 2006 - 6:44 am Tom Powers:Alan,
What great things did they enlighten us about John Kerry? That he served his country. That he went to a combat area?
Or that we now know DoD records are unreliable and the acts of millions of veterans are now in doubt?
I have one question for all those Kerry bashers (and I’m no fan of the man either). Where was Bush during the Vietnam War? He must’ve done a great job in the TX NG. To the best of my knowledge, the Viet Cong never invaded Galveston Bay.
Jan 31, 2006 - 8:24 am Bill Bradley:Checking out rates and availabilities doesn’t necessarily mean advertising is about to begin. A 527 is supposed to be separate from a candidate campaign and have its own media people creating ads.
Jan 31, 2006 - 8:26 am Ann:We are having too many elections and too many election shenanigans.
Jan 31, 2006 - 8:51 am Barbara:so… the Swift Boat Vets are just one of many 527 groups that utilize the services of this media buy company …correct? and at this time we do not know which 527 group (old or new) who has been supportive of the gov has possibly hired this group? One last question because I am far for interested on your traveling days with Westly…did a 527 group pay for the Gov’s trip to China, his digs at the Hyatt, ?etc…or is that another IRS section code?…woops, I guess that was two last questions..
Jan 31, 2006 - 9:24 am Bill Bradley:Correct and correct. Arnold’s trip to China was paid for by private corporations and individuals, I believe mostly undisclosed but probably mostly part of the crowd that accompanied him. His suite at the Hyatt Regency at Capitol Park is paid for by a private foundation with undisclosed contributors.
Jan 31, 2006 - 9:58 am miranda:This is dizzying to follow. It looks like a great big game that leaves out people like me.
Jan 31, 2006 - 10:23 am Barbara:Thank You…everythings clear! Now, What are you guys doing? where does one have lunch on Butte? Are you on horseback? or on a straight talkin bus or jetting around in a private jet like the Guv….Has Mr.South gone fishing or is he watching his man in action? If you are on horses and start to fall …hang on to the mane …horses don’t care ….now tell us everything!
Jan 31, 2006 - 10:31 am Bill Bradley:The great big game is even more interesting re this because it turns out Arnold is not only low on campaign funds but in deficit.
No jet, no bus, much more low key.
Feb 3, 2006 - 7:49 am Barbara:The same report shows the Rep Party with no funds …did they spend it all on the special election ?
Feb 5, 2006 - 4:16 pm Bill Bradley:No funds? Why, they were $300,000 in the black, positively rolling compared to Arnold’s committee. Yep, all that money was wasted on the special election.
Feb 6, 2006 - 9:02 am Bill Bradley’s NEW WEST NOTES » Blog Archive » First “Independent Expenditur:[…] Update: I’ve just learned that Mentzer Media Services, the media buyer for various pro-Bush “independent expenditure” campaigns in the 2004 election, including the anti-Kerry “Swift Boat Veterans,” bought the time for the Chamber of Commerce’s pro-Schwarzenegger drive. I reported in late January that they were checking around the California media markets on rates and availabilities. […]
Mar 8, 2006 - 11:16 am treoweman:Perfect pages… tnx
Jun 11, 2006 - 1:53 pm