Winger David Koch sends 40 buses of protesters to Capital Hill

[babylonsister]

Run time: 01:32 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Jat8qOaws   Posted on YouTube: November 05, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 05, 2009 By DU Member: babylonsister Views on DU: 9223

 
Astroturf In Action: Right-Wing Billionaire David Koch Pays For 40 Buses To Haul In Protesters

Americans for Prosperity (AFP), the corporate front group founded in the 1980s by Koch Industries billionaire David Koch, worked closely with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) to orchestrate the anti-health reform rally today. As ThinkProgress reported yesterday, AFP has been encouraging right-wing activists to board their buses — free of charge — to attend the rally. While AFP does not disclose all of its corporate donors, foundations controlled by David and Charles Koch provide millions in yearly funding, and David continues to chair the AFP foundation and preside over AFP’s annual convention.

ThinkProgress found at least a dozen AFP staffers standing at their designated bus drop off point near the Capitol, handing out signs, directions, talking points, petitions, and donuts to protesters. Many of the people who work at AFP are longtime Republican operatives, like Ben Marchi, the AFP Virginia director who previously worked for the National Republican Congressional Committee and for Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX). Victor Zapanta produced this video report of AFP staffers talking about their exploits at the rally today:

AFP STAFFERS: We have 25 buses just from Pennsylvania, New Jersey we probably have 5 or 6 from Maryland.

AFP STAFFERS: We have about 40 buses coming.

more...

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/05/david-koch-astroturf/

[ihavenobias]

1. It cracks me up when right wingers talk about George Soros pumping money into liberal causes.

I mean, how many rich right wingers pour money into all sorts of radical, anti-middle/working class things? Fox news lost almost half a billion dollars the first 5 years it existed, and that's just one of many examples. Not to mention there is no Single Payer or 'Peace Industrial Complex' looking to cash in on progressive causes.

Imagine what pro-single payer/public option protests would look like with nearly unlimited budgets to bus people around, lure them in with free food and drink, pre-made signs, petitions and talking points, etc.

[Maraya1969]

2. This is the same group that cheered when we lost the Olympics.

[Tx4obama]

3. LOL - And just yesterday Bachmann said this was not an organized protest! n/t

[indimuse]

4. Does CNN have a copy of this?

They should!

[Grassy Knoll]

5. Lets do a little math.....

40 to 50 busses , 60 to 70 per bus =2,400 to 3,500
so more than 7/8ths of the crowd was bussed in by AFP.
They supply signs and doughnuts, it doesn't get more laughable that that.
Oh, but no assistance .HA