Americans for Prosperity
| Americans for Prosperity | |
|---|---|
 Americans for Prosperity logo |
|
| Formation | 2004 |
| Type | non-profit political advocacy group |
| Purpose/focus | AFP is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process.[1] |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| President | Tim Phillips |
| Vice President | Phil Kerpen |
| Website | www.americansforprosperity.org |
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to its literature, it promotes pro-business economic policy and opposes government regulation. AFP was a major supporter of Republican candidates in the 2010 election cycle and is heavily involved in political activities aimed at reducing regulation of the oil and gas industry.[2] It was formerly part of Citizens for a Sound Economy, which split into AFP and FreedomWorks in 2004.
Contents |
[edit] Background
AFP was founded in 2004 when Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) split into FreedomWorks (formerly Citizens for a Sound Economy), for 501(c)(4) advocacy activity, and the Americans for Prosperity Foundation (formerly the Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation).
[edit] Mission
AFP describes its mission as educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing them as advocates of lower taxes and limited government.[1]
[edit] Leadership and structure
Like Citizens for a Sound Economy before it, Americans for Prosperity consists of two separate entities: Americans for Prosperity (a 501(c)(4) organization[3] established in 2004) and Americans for Prosperity Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organization[3] established in 1984 as the Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation. Americans for Prosperity is led on the national level by its president, Tim Phillips.[4][5][6] Other national staff include: Phil Kerpen, director of policy; and Erik Telford, director of AFP's RightOnline new media program. Art Pope,[7][8] James C. Miller, James E. Stephenson, and Frayda Levy serve on the board of directors.
From 2003 to 2007 AFP was led by Nancy Pfotenhauer, who left to become an adviser for the 2008 John McCain presidential campaign.
AFP's web site lists 28 staffed state chapters.[9]
[edit] Funding
In its 2007 annual tax return, the AFP Foundation reported revenue of $5.7 million with expenditures of nearly $6.8 million. Of its expenditure, $2.1 million went to national office operations with just over $2.9 million allocated to the state-based chapters. It was reported in early 2011 that AFP's budget grew to $40 million in 2010 from $7 million in 2007.[10]
Based on its financial operations and programs, the independent Charity Navigator nonprofit review organization gave Americans For Prosperity Foundation a three-star rating out of four stars, and a 58 out of a possible 60 points.[11]
[edit] Events
AFP hosted an event in Washington D.C. entitled "Defending the American Dream Summit" on October 5, 2007. The topic was government spending and taxation. Presidential candidates who attended included Rudolph Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul, Sam Brownback, Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson. Other speakers included John Stossel, Steve Lonegan, Dinesh D'Souza, Art Laffer, John Fund, Steve Moore, Herman Cain, and Dr. Barry Poulson.
A second Summit was held on October 11, 2008.[12] The 2009 Summit was held on October 3, in Washington, DC and was concerned with health-care reform legislation, economic policy, and proposed energy legislation.[13] Speakers included Newt Gingrich, Jim DeMint, Mike Pence, Paul Ryan, and Michele Bachmann.[14]
Another event related to activism against carbon emission cuts was the Hot Air Tour featuring webcasts from the United Nations meetings COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009[15] and COP16 in Cancun in 2010. AFP's goal at these events was to "send a message to the bureaucrats that energy rationing will kill jobs, raise taxes, and crush our freedoms.".[16]
In July 2008, Americans for Prosperity hosted RightOnline, a conference of conservative bloggers in Austin, Texas. Eric Telford was the impresario of the conference which took place in June 2008, at the same time as the Netroots Nation conference in Austin and was regarded as a growing conservative answer to the online left.[17] The conference brought together conservative activists to develop strategies to counter left-wing bloggers and develop conservative New Media techniques.[17][18] The meeting was held in conjunction with the Texas AFP chapter's conference.
In 2011, Phillips helped lead a counterprotest in Madison, Wisconsin, where the governor's budget and labor-law initiatives had drawn considerable opposition in the streets. Phillips' counterprotest supported the governor's cuts saying they were necessary and "represented the start of a much-needed nationwide move to slash public-sector union benefits". Phillips was quoted as saying that "his group is already working with activists and state officials in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania."[10]
[edit] Programs
[edit] No Climate Tax Pledge
Americans for Prosperity circulated a pledge to government officials affirming that they will not increase taxes to deal with climate change.[19]
As of August 2010, more than 600 lawmakers and candidates, primarily Republicans, had signed the pledge. Prominent signers include Senators Pat Roberts and Roger Wicker; U.S. Representatives Michele Bachmann, John Carter, Jeff Flake, Jim Jordan, Doug Lamborn, Lynn Westmoreland, Phil Gingrey, Tom Price, Fred Upton, Candice Miller, Bill Huizenga, Justin Amash, Tim Walberg, and Rocky Raczkowski; and candidates Jack Hoogendyk, Dan Benishek, Pete Olson, and Greg Davis.[20]
[edit] Patients United Now
In May 2009, Americans for Prosperity launched Patients United Now, which on its website describes itself as a project offering information for those opposed to "a government takeover of the United States health care system." On the site, the organization expresses its support for "health care reform focused on delivering affordable, quality choices to all Americans" and its conviction that a government takeover of healthcare can lead to "delaying - and denying - critical treatments."[21]
A subsequent series of television ads opposing the Democratic health-care reform proposals was launched by the Patients United Now organization. One ad features a Canadian woman identified as "Shona Holmes" who says she was denied brain tumor surgery and was ultimately treated in the U.S. Columnist David Lazarus of the Los Angeles Times wrote that a single-payer Canadian-style insurance system is not part of any leading reform proposal as the ad suggests.[22] Amy Menefee, a spokeswoman for Patients United Now, replied by saying that "The point of the ad is to show the extremes where things could go. This would be a bigger role for government than we've ever seen. It's a power grab in this area of the economy."[22]
[edit] Activities
During the 2010 election cycle, Americans for Prosperity claims to have spent $40 million dollars on rallies, phone banks, and canvassing.[2] One beneficiary was Morgan Griffith (R-VA). Americans for Prosperity supported the campaigns of five of the six Republican members who were elected to the United States Senate for the first time in 2010.[2] Of twelve Republicans newly appointed to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, nine signed a pledge distributed by Americans for Prosperity to oppose greenhouse gas regulation.[2]
In June 2011, Americans for Prosperity placed a handful of fake eviction notices on people's doors in the Delray neighborhood of Detroit. The group's state director said that the intent was to get peoples' attention and to startle residents into lobbying against the building of the Detroit River International Crossing bridge because, as the flyer stated, "their properties could be taken by the Michigan Department of Transportation to make way for the New International Trade Crossing bridge project."[23]
According to Politico, in August 2011 Americans for Prosperity "sent absentee voter applications instructing voters to return the paperwork two days late in at least two recall elections."[24] In addition, the PO Box that was listed on the "Ballot Application" is the address of an anti-abortion group, Wisconsin Family Action, as opposed to an official state address.[24] AFP responded, claiming that the misleading date was the result of a mistake and "was only intended for voters in the two districts where Democrats are set to face recalls on a later date, August 16th."[25]
In 2011, AFP said that it will review payments it had made to Mark Block's Prosperity USA, which is alleged to have made improper payments to the Herman Cain presidential campaign, 2012.[26][27][28] As a tax-exempt charity, Prosperity USA is not allowed to donate money or services to a political campaign.[29]
[edit] Criticism
In August 2010, the Democratic Party and the Obama White House complained that AFP and its sister foundation Americans for Prosperity Foundationas are a de facto political action group and that this violates their tax-exempt status.[30] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee filed a complaint against the AFP for running political advertisements that allegedly constitute intervention in political campaigns. A spokesman for the AFPF said the DCCC complaint was a "nuisance complaint to intimidate" and was without merit.[31] Phillips, the AFP president, said the insinuation that AFP is taking money from foreign sources is “ludicrous.”[32] He also noted that following the President’s statement, AFP had seen an increase in financial contributions, saying that “they know if the president of the United States is attacking you because you’re opposing his agenda, you’re probably doing something that’s effective.”[32]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "About AFP". http://www.americansforprosperityfoundation.com/foundation/about. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d Hamburger, Tom; Kathleen Hennessey, Neela Banerjee (2011-02-06). "Koch brothers now at heart of GOP power". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-koch-brothers-20110206,0,4692342,full.story. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
- ^ a b Americans for Prosperity, Contribute
- ^ "Century Strategies". SourceWatch. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Century_Strategies. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
- ^ Kiel, Paul (2006-02-13). "TPMCafe | Talking Points Memo | The Daily Muck". Tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com. http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2006/02/13/the_daily_muck_28/index.php. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
- ^ "Utilizing Public Airwaves, Media Mogul Murdoch Is Big Muscle Behind Fraudulent Astro Turfers". Alternet.org. 2009-08-20. http://www.alternet.org/politics/142068/utilizing_public_airwaves,_media_mogul_murdoch_is_big_muscle_behind_fraudulent_astro_turfers/?page=entire. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "The knight of the right" by Rob Christensen, Jan 29,2006 The News & Observer[dead link]
- ^ "Advocate to some, bully to others, Pope brews discord" by Rob Christensen, Jan 29,2006 The News & Observer[dead link]
- ^ "Americans for Prosperity - State Staff". Afphq.org. 2010-09-08. http://www.afphq.org/about/staff. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
- ^ a b Lipton, Eric, "Billionaire Brothers’ Money Plays Role in Wisconsin Dispute", The New York Times, February 21, 2011 (February 22, 2011 p. A16 NY ed.). Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "Charity Navigator, rating of AFP Foundation, accessed Aug 2011". Charitynavigator.org. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3511. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ "Americans for Prosperity Conference". C-span.org. 2008-10-11. http://c-span.org/Watch/Media/2008/10/11/HP/A/10468/Americans+for+Prosperity+Foundation+Conference.aspx. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "Defending the America Dream Summit". C-span.org. 2009-10-03. http://c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/10/03/HP/A/23977/Americans+for+Prosperity+Foundation+Defending+the+American+Dream+Summit.aspx. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ Defending the American Dream Summit[dead link]
- ^ "Hot Air Tour". Hot Air Tour. http://www.hotairtour.org/. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
- ^ "Hot Air Tour Live from Cancun". Americans for Prosperity. http://www.americansforprosperity.org/120310-hot-air-tour-live-cancun-full-broadcast. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
- ^ a b Vargas, Jose Antonio (July 18, 2008). "In Texas, the Right Boots Up to Gain Strength Online". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/17/AR2008071702662_pf.html. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
- ^ Schatz, Amy (July 18, 2008). "In Online Politicking, Republicans Play Catch-Up". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121634010883763999.html?mod=googlenews_wsj.
- ^ Group against taxes seeks pledges from candidates, Lawrence Journal, July 22nd, 2008
- ^ "Pledge Takers". No Climate Tax. http://www.noclimatetax.com/pledge-signatories/. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
- ^ "About Patients United Now". Patientsunitednow.com. http://patientsunitednow.com/?q=about. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ a b "Healthcare debate framed by fear-mongering ads". Los Angeles Times. 2009-08-09. http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-fi-lazarus9-2009aug09,0,3572458.column. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ John Gallagher, Conservative group: Fake eviction notices were 'meant to startle people' Detroit Free Press Jun. 7, 2011
- ^ a b Opoien, Jessica. "Unofficial absentee ballot mailings raise voter intimidation issues in Wisconsin recall elections". http://www.isthmus.com/daily/article.php?article=34266. Retrieved November 2011.
- ^ Sargent, Greg. "Americans for Prosperity sent misleading absentee ballot far more widely than previously known". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/americans-for-prosperity-sent-misleading-absentee-ballot-far-more-widely-than-previously-known/2011/03/03/gIQAxhcywI_blog.html. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ Stone, Peter H. "Koch-related group is reviewing financial transactions with Cain aide's charity." iWatch News, 3 November 2011.
- ^ Bice, Daniel. "State firm's cash to Herman Cain may breach federal campaign, tax laws." Journal Sentinel, 30 October 2011.
- ^ Benjamin, Mark. "The Other Cain Scandal: Campaign Transactions May Have Broken Federal Law." Time Magazine, 1 November 2011.
- ^ Eggen, Dan. "Herman Cain campaign’s financial ties to Wisconsin charity questioned." Washington Post, 31 October 2011.
- ^ Remarks by the President at a DNC Finance Event in Austin, Texas
- ^ McKinnon and Martin Vaughan, John D. (August 28, 2010). "Democrats Criticize Group Over Attack Ads, Tax Violations". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704147804575456083141366918.html.
- ^ a b Pappas, Alex. "Americans for Prosperity cashing in on Obama attacks on them". Daily Caller. Yahoo! Inc. http://news.yahoo.com/americans-prosperity-cashing-obama-attacks-them.html. Retrieved December 2011.
- ^ Walker, Keith (April 14, 2011). "Tito the Builder considering state politics". insidenova. http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2011/apr/14/tito-builder-considering-state-politics-ar-973334/. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
[edit] External links
- Americans for Prosperity
- Americans for Prosperity Foundation
- File at PolitiFact
- Profile at OpenSecrets.org
- Profile at MediaMatters
- Americans for Prosperity at SourceWatch
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
