In a House Judiciary committee, the attorney for the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, Heather Heidelbaugh, testified that ACORN whistleblower, Anita Moncrief, was informed by the NYTs reporter, Stephanie Strom the paper was killing a late October 2008 story of the Obama-ACORN link because “it was a game changer” in the election.
Philadelphia’s Michael Tremoglie writes in his article of The Bulletin:
Heather Heidelbaugh, who represented the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee in the lawsuit against the group, recounted for the Committee what she had been told by a former ACORN worker who had worked in the group’s Washington, D.C. office. The former worker, Anita Moncrief, told Ms. Heidelbaugh last October, during the state committee’s litigation against ACORN, she had been a “confidential informant for several months to The New York Times reporter, Stephanie Strom.”
Ms. Moncrief had been providing Ms. Strom with information about ACORN’s election activities. Ms. Strom had written several stories based on information Ms. Moncrief had given her.
During her testimony, Ms. Heidelbaugh said Ms. Moncrief had told her The New York Times articles stopped when she revealed that the Obama presidential campaign had sent its maxed-out donor list to ACORN’s Washington, D.C. office.
Ms. Moncrief told Ms. Heidelbaugh the campaign had asked her and her boss to “reach out to the maxed-out donors and solicit donations from them for Get Out the Vote efforts to be run by ACORN.”
Ms. Heidelbaugh then told the congressional panel:“Upon learning this information and receiving the list of donors from the Obama campaign, Ms. Strom reported to Ms. Moncrief that her editors at The New York Times wanted her to kill the story because, and I quote, “it was a game changer.”’
Since many will seize on the “she said, she said” moment here, let’s recap Anita Moncrief for those not in the know.
Ms. Moncrief only made her first contacts with the PA Republican State Committee *after* the NYTs decided to “spike” the story.
Ms. Moncrief makes for an unlikely ACORN villian. She was (is?) an Obama supporter, and still a devoted Democrat. But she has been disillusioned with ACORN’s agenda after working with them since 2005.
The ACORN head honchos dismiss her as merely a “disgruntled employee”, emphasizing her own sketchy past to diss the messenger. She was let go when she put $3000 approx on the company expense account. She has apologized and is making recompense for the misappropriated funds.
Seems rather harsh in light of the admitted ACORN scandal by founder, Wade Rathke… who kept his brother Dale on the ACORN payroll for a decade, and covered up his embezzlement of $1 million to not only the public, but to the ACORN inner circle themselves. Obviously, Ms. Moncrief was disadvantaged by no ties to Rathke at birth. But the double standard is undeniable. If they can cover up a mil, keeping on what would be a loyal ACORN worker willing to pay back $3000 in expenses should be a no brainer.
Since her last days in ACORN and life post-ACORN, Ms. Moncrief’s open transfer of the inside knowledge wealth has spoken for itself. Her exposé of ACORN isn’t because of her expense incident… it is to reveal the political power grab by a non-profit, using the poor as their mantra.
In John Fund’s WSJ article last October, Mr. Moncrief’s testimony in a Pennsylvania court while investigating ACORN’s voter fraud charges also included confirmation that the Obama campaign had provided ACORN with “…lists of potential donors by several Democratic presidential campaigns, including that of Barack Obama, to troll for contributions.” A relationship that could constitute a violation of federal election laws.
The Obama campaign denies it “has any ties” to Acorn, but Mr. Obama’s ties are extensive. In 1992 he headed a registration effort for Project Vote, an Acorn partner at the time. He did so well that he was made a top trainer for Acorn’s Chicago conferences. In 1995, he represented Acorn in a key case upholding the constitutionality of the new Motor Voter Act — the first law passed by the Clinton administration — which created the mandated, nationwide postcard voter registration system that Acorn workers are using to flood election offices with bogus registrations.
Ms. MonCrief testified that in November 2007 Project Vote development director Karyn Gillette told her she had direct contact with the Obama campaign and had obtained their donor lists. Ms. MonCrief also testified she was given a spreadsheet to use in cultivating Obama donors who had maxed out on donations to the candidate, but who could contribute to voter registration efforts. Project Vote calls the allegation “absolutely false.”
She says that when she had trouble with what appeared to be duplicate names on the list, Ms. Gillette told her she would talk with the Obama campaign and get a better version. Ms. MonCrief has given me [John Fund] copies of the donor lists she says were obtained from other Democratic campaigns, as well as the 2004 DNC donor lists.
Ms. Moncrief was also upset at ACORN’s protection mob tactics in their “Muscle for Money” campaign to intimidate businesses into contributing grants. Per another story by Tremoglie just days ago:
Ms. Moncrief testified, at the time, the money obtained from donors on the list was allegedly to be used for voter registration drives. According to Ms. Moncrief, “There really isn’t a difference between Project Vote and ACORN.” She said they have the same staff and share the same offices.
If proven, ACORN and Project Vote could at the very least, lose their tax-exampt status for engaging in politically partisan activities. ACORN’s questionable activism extended into what Ms. Moncrief called a “Muscle for the Money” program.
Ms. Heidelbaugh told the panel that Ms. Moncrief said there were two programs with that name — one official and one unofficial. The official program is the marketing name ACORN gives for its voter registration drives.
But the unofficial program, is directed at corporations for donations. Ms. Heidelbaugh quoted from Ms. Moncrief testimony,
“[ACORN was] paid by SEIU (the Service Employees International Union) to harass a man named Mr. Rubenstein, and they wanted me to go out — the D.C. local did, wanted me to go out and break up a banquet dinner, protest out in front of his house…. it was always referred to as ‘Muscle for Money’ because they would go out there, intimidate these people, protest … And instead of, you know, reforming the way they did the rapid anticipation loans, they ended up giving money to the ACORN tax sites … The companys would pay money to get the protesting to stop….the insiders at ACORN called it “protection”… programs were carried out against Sherwin Williams, Jackson Hewitt, H&R Block, the Carlyle Group and Money Mart.”
Tho Ms. Moncrief doesn’t speak much about the current POTUS, she has plenty to say on her blog about ACORN, the Sandlers, John Podesta and George Soros. In her four-part series, “ACORN And The Sandlers”, she reproduces a 2006 memo sent by Zach Polett, Project Vote Executive director and director of ACORN Political Operations about the “Proposed Process for Developing a 5-Year ACORN Political Business Plan” that focuses on “…build the kind of long-term, permanent electoral capacity that progressives need to take back power in America.”
She then describes how they set the stage for the foreclosure break-ins as publicity, and speaks of another internal memo stating goals: “”Electoral plans redistricting and holding congress and 2010 Gubernatorial races (47)…Senate in 2010c Questions about getting to 60 in 2008. So 2010 becomes an additional push for more seats. “
While Ms. Moncrief may be a liberal progressive at heart, she also recognizes a mob scam when she sees one. From her blog diaries:
Obviously preparing for power was not meant for the poor, but for the Democrats that are currently in office with the dubious help of ACORN and generous donations from the Sandlers. To some it may appear that the Sandler’s donated more than just their money, but also structural support to ACORN and the Democratic Party. Besides site training by staff for ACORN, according to ACORN insiders, the Sandler funded Pro Publica referred the Advance Group to ACORN for crisis PR. Pro Publica has also been accused by some of managing the news.
The phrase preparing for power resonates not only with ACORN and the Sandlers, but also with the events that I testified about and reported to the New York times in 2008. In September of 2007, I prepared a listing of all of the Chicago area donors in anticipation of a fundraising trip by either Karyn Gillette (Project Vote Development Director) or Zach Polett. Sometime after this fundraising trip, as I have testified in court, ACORN received the Obama donor list. In addition to this, Zach Polett gave a pep talk to staff at a retreat in November of 2007, and mentioned that he had the opportunity to supervise Barack Obama and that ACORN produces leaders and gets results.
ACORN’s results appear to be one sided in nature with direct benefit going to their strategic partnerships, the Sandler’s, who have not returned calls for comment, could be held liable in the same way that ACORN attacked Household Finance. Lisa Ranghelli in her reports details how
… ACORN was directly influential in the successful pursuit of a multi-state lawsuit against Household by Attorneys General in every state, resulting in a settlement of $484 million in direct compensation to borrowers. During the Household campaign, ACORN also helped hundreds of borrowers in several states get thousands of dollars back from Household in fees, credit insurance, significant loan modifications, and in some cases refinances into better loans.
BTW, Ms. Moncrief’s blog is a plethora of inside info. No wonder that ACORN has now labeled one of their own the enemy. Still, she remains a dedicated Democrat, seeking to expose the shadier side of power within her chosen party.
But back to the NYTs. I told you a bit of Ms. Moncrief’s story in order to shed more light by the expected “hearsay by hearsay” accusations against the NYTs for killing an story that may have affected the outcome of the 2008 Presidential election.
And exactly what does ACORN, the Times and reporter Strom have to say for themselves against these accusations?
“None of this wild and varied list of charges has any credibility and we’re not going to spend our time on it,” said Kevin Whelan, ACORN deputy political director in a statement issued last week.
Stephanie Strom was contactee for a comment, and The New York Times’ Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Catherine Mathis replied with an e-mail in her place.
Ms. Mathis wrote, “In response to your questions to our reporter, Stephanie Strom, we do not discuss our newsgathering and won’t comment except to say that political considerations played no role in our decisions about how to cover this story or any other story about President Obama.”
Two facts are certain. First: the New York Times had the ACORN-Obama story via Moncrief’s long term relationship with Strom; and second: they did not run it. They may deny that their refusal to run the story was not politically motivated. But they will also find it hard to defend what is news today, was also not news back in October.
And they wonder why their business is going down the toilet. But with the 1st Amendment as cover, they will escape any scrutiny.
Vietnam era Navy wife, indy/conservative, and an official California escapee now residing as a red speck in the sea of Oregon blue.
This is disgusting and vile and I’m not surprised one bit. I will be shocked if anything comes of this and ACORN is held accountable. Too many involved with the left and the dems. I know what should happen and what would happen if this was a plot-line in a old movie.. but we’re in Unicorn land now where everything is upside down.
Comrade,
We can not allow chairman Obama to be harmed by such decadent slander. Think nothing more about such things.
All hail “the one”.
If there was collusion between the Obama campaign and ACORN to get around campaign finance laws that is a very serious matter. Unfortunately, only if these were Republicans would the matter be prosecuted.
And I’m not at all suprised by the shakedown “Muscle for money” campaign. Typical rent-a-mob liberal behavior.
What’s most compelling here is the sheer volume of damning info on ACORN and the Democrats.
Sadly, the Dems successfully inoculated themselves long ago to these criticisms and most GOP leaders are too timid to pound away at them.
Spend some time in Ms. Moncrief’s blog, Mike’sA. She’s quite eloquent. From all I have read of her postings, and despite our inherent political philosophical differences, she is a woman to be admired.
Like I said, the MSM has become the propaganda wing of the DNC.
They are actively working with them to keep their cohorts in power.
No lie or sleazy act is too extreme to maintain their grip on power.
Yet they call us fascists.
As I have posted before, ACORN happily posts it’s office locations for anyone to see. Since chunks of the Porkulus bill and the bloated budget are going to ACORN, perhaps we should be having the Tea Parties in appropriate locations such as in front of these offices. Obviously, the MSM is not going to raise public awareness about these people voluntarily. ACORN loves the spotlight though, so such demonstrations would be bound to draw more media. Even if most of the media was attempting to demonize the protesters, perhaps the glare of the spotlights might uncover a few skeletons in their closets.
Just sitting by and grumbling about these goons isn’t going make them go away. But like most bugs and slime, they can’t stand the light of day. We have to increase public awareness of their activities and connections.
I’m beginning to feel an urgency that I only felt once before in my life. this is getting to the point of no return, and we must act NOW. This country is in a very dangerous time, brought on by people that hate freedom, and an open free market. If we allow this to go on much further we are doomed.
jainphx said:
“I’m beginning to feel an urgency that I only felt once before in my life. this is getting to the point of no return, and we must act NOW. This country is in a very dangerous time, brought on by people that hate freedom, and an open free market. If we allow this to go on much further we are doomed.”
Let me say something, I don’t know how or why I started coming to this site. Maybe because many of you are smart, articulate folks, and probably don’t share most of my views, but at least I can understand how you got your views. jainphx, I feel bad for you. Maybe I started coming here because I needed to learn something from some folks here. I’ve been treated with a decent amount of respect here, in spite of a few sarcastic comments on my part.
jainphx, Today I am also very sad. Today, I also feel a point of no return. My Mom has had 3 heart attacks in the last two weeks, and she passed away at 4:16 this morning. My Dad served in post War Japan, and my Mom was always a real political junkie. We didn’t agree on most issues regarding politics for the last decade and a half. She was smart and had a ton of wisdom to go with that. I always understood why she had the views and beliefs she did, even when I disagreed with her views. My parents always had faith in this country, and it’s people. Even when my Mom disagreed with you 100% about politics, she always, always showed respect for the other person, and both my parents always had respect for America, and her leaders, if they voted for them or not. We stopped talking politics a couple months ago, I think she knew deep inside that her journey here was getting close to an end, and she started telling me that America is blessed by God, and we shouldn’t spend so much time going back and forth arguing and worrying. She mentioned several times that if the country gets on the wrong course, the people will correct it, and she can accept that. I would bring up the old fun debates, but she wouldn’t bite on it anymore. I would even try the old standby, mention Bill Clinton’s name, that normally got her fired up without fail, she apparently had her mind on a bigger picture, because she told me that she RESPECTED BILL CLINTON for letting Newt Gingrich off the hook when his Mom had that interview with Connie Chung. First good thing she ever said about the man. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I am going to miss that, and her. We had a lot of fun going back and forth over the years. Take it from me, because she taught me one last lesson with this. Get involved, vote, protest, be active, do whatever, this is the American way. This is what my Dad and all others who served and sacrificed fought to keep for every American, if you agree with their views or not. Try not to be so consumed with politics that you are filled with dread or fear or hate. 99% of Americans don’t hate freedom, even if they don’t give it enough respect. Spend that energy doing good things for and with your family. Trust that God has a plan, and all things will work toward His purpose. The world has changed, and resist as we might, it moves on with or without us. jainphx, I hope you can run for some office, make a difference, maybe change some minds and I wish the best for you. Most of us will not hold high office, be super rich movers and shakers, or shape the course of history, but we can change the world, by living the example we want to pass on to our kids. I hope I have measured up in my son and daughter’s eyes to the standards my parents set. I firmly believe this is where the most impact on the future course of our country lies, and where we have the best capacity to change it for the better.
DEFUND ACORN NOW and SERVICE CORPS
All bubbles burst and obama lies will catch up soon to him. not soon enough.
Reid, peloski, schummmmer, frank, dodd, murray, boxer, feinstein and leafy must go.
We will stop his unauthorized rape to the United States.
@mooseburger:
My sympathies to you and your family throughout this sorrowful time. I lost both my parents five months apart in 2000 and still miss them terribly, especially through the good times regretting they are not with us to enjoy.
I went through much the same with both my parents, they being democrats while hubby and I switched during Reagan. Like your dad, my father also served in the Phillipines during WWII, he was onboard a destroyer hit by kamakazees which caused his ship to limp home. He was a precinct committee man for many years, drug us around the county campaigning for democrats as soon as we were big enough to stick campaign literature in doors, proud of the area his five kids could cover. Both parents became disappointed with Clinton, dad voted for Perot and mom, former election judge that never missed an election, stayed home. She allowed our political differences, dad did not, it was difficult for him to accept that we left his party and never let us forget it, would take the razzing back in a minute.
I hope you find peace in your loss, moms are so hard to lose.
“the MSM has become the propaganda wing of the DNC”
And the DNC has become the political wing of the Weather Underground.
(Considering how comfy the Dems are with cop-killing scum like Bill Ayers, my sarcastic joke is actually quite accurate.)
Moose,
Nice post. I am sorry for your loss.
Missy,
Nice response.
My folks are in their early 80’s. We just had them over for dinner this weekend.
Both my parents are Republicans as well as my brothers. Political differences should not divide families.
@mooseburger:
Please allow me to extend my thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
I look forward to seeing you back here on a regular basis once things even out for you a bit.
pst13, you are correct. Even Ms. Moncrief, in a Dec 12 post on her blog, says:
Moose, I join others here in wishing you condolences on the loss of your Mom. At this writing, I am still lucky to have both of mine. My mother in her mid 80s, and Dad in his mid 90s. Time has been kind enough to let me enjoy them longer, and I assure you that every day they are here, I feel blessed for one more day. I hope the memories of the love and joy you had with her overwhelms your grief at her loss.
I’m not sure if you have brothers and sisters, but I found my parents to be more politically astute, informed and involved than my siblings or my cousins. When I lose them, I’ll also lose the only part of the family who was willing to debate politics and philosophy. And I suspect the reason you have had been treated decently here is owed to your family background of diverse ideas being treated with some respect. It can make all the difference in presentation of ideas, and becomes especially important in these nameless/faceless cyber relationships. We have no body language or intuition to go on with personalities behind keyboards. This means the more ability one has to convey their thoughts adeptly – and civilly – goes a long way.
I believe your parents should be proud of you, and you’ve certainly picked up some valuable people skills with your family diversity.
Your Mom was indeed wise. When things go awry, the electorate can change the course. But with the complexity of big government issues today compared to WWII era – (the big government had just begun, with no historic retrospect) – it’s more difficult for many without a firm grasp on history and founding principles to see what is happening. Intents for these grandiose plans sound so harmless and lofty… yet the ulterior motives of the movers and shakers cleverly disguised. Witness Ms. Moncrief’s eyes being opened to ACORN/Project Vote.
But all becomes apparent over time, as your Mom knew. What most of us hope is that revelation to the masses does not come too late to reverse policy damage.
From what you describe, we conservatives have lost a gentle but assertive voice with your Mom’s passing. One needn’t be an elected official or superstar…. just a role model of independent and informed thought, and encourage family and friends’ amibitions to be the best they can be. In that, she was a star. Please give her a salute for me.
Mooseburger,
That was a beautiful and inspirational post, thank you for sharing it with us. Blessings and peace.
My condolences as well, Mooseburger. What a wonderful woman this country lost this morning. Thanks for sharing a bit of your story and letting us know about the character of your mother.
Mooseburger,
Please allow me to join in with all the family here. My own family is praying for you. And I am most grateful for the wisdom you shared with so many of us.
mlajoie2
Thank you so much, Mooseburger, for your very thoughtful post. I am so very sorry for your loss of your mom, and please know you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers as well.
I appreciate very much what you said about not being so consumed with political differences that we live in dread or fear or hate. I admit I have to catch myself when I sense that beginning to control my life in subtle ways. I also believe that God has a plan for our good, and after we have done everything we know to do and say to be proactive in the betterment of our country and fellowman, we must trust and rest in that fact. It sounds as though your mom did exactly that before her passing.
God bless.