Folwell, Stam begin anti-gay offensive

Facts Contradict AFP Claim

When Brave New Films released a recent video about the Koch brothers, Americans for Prosperity (AFP), and the Wake County School Board there was an immediate and indignant response from Dallas Woodhouse of Americans for Prosperity. One sentence did not ring true in the response:

Americans for Prosperity is a nonpartisan, issue-based policy organization and does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

AFP campaign finance reports submitted to the North Carolina State Board of Elections reveal that in 2010 AFP spent $189,894.00 on Electioneering Communications in support of 19 North Carolina candidates, comprised of 7 State Senate candidates and 12 State House candidates. A report compiled by the NC Free Enterprise Foundation from various sources puts the total spent by AFP in supporting the 19 candidates at $287,195.22. This is starkly in contrast with Woodhouse’s assertion that “Americans for Prosperity … does not support or oppose candidates for public office.”

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Following Suit

Last week I followed up my initial letter to the State Board of Elections about Justin Burr’s campaign finance reports with another letter focused on the Brooks Brothers suits:

Mr Gary Bartlett, Executive Director
State Board of Elections

re:
Justin Burr For NC House, the campaign committee of Justin Burr
Expenditure irregularity

Mr Bartlett,

On August 4th I submitted a letter to you regarding donor disclosure anomalies in the campaign finance reports of the Justin Burr For NC House committee. Since then, at least one expenditure irregularity has come to my attention that would appear to violate Election Law 163–278.16B Use of contributions for certain purposes, specifically:
278.16B(a) A candidate or candidate campaign committee may use contributions only for…
…(2) Expenditures resulting from holding public office.

The expenditure in question is the purchase of clothing:
03/27/2011 $857.46 Brooks Brothers, Raleigh, Suits/Jackets required for session

The Little Man in the Brooks Brothers Suit

If there was an award for petulance in the NC House there would be many contenders. The top place might likely be shared by Stephen LaRoque and Justin Burr, and not simply on account of their contempt for the trials of low-wealth citizens. LaRoque is on a crusade to redefine the NAACP as racist. Burr for example, has been contemptuous of the Racial Justice Act, and of opposition to various election law “reforms”. Burr reached a peak of pique when he ran roughshod over Verla Insko in a committee considering the abortion bill.

Burr’s juvenile physique has been tempered this session by the maintenance of a close haircut that is oddly suggestive of an outbreak of lice in the boys’ dormitory. Burr grandiosely thinks he needs to educate Judge Howard Manning and Governor Bev Perdue on the need for low-income parents to pay 10% of that paltry income towards constitutionally required Pre-K education.

Burr’s sartorial needs don’t have to be met by his own income however. Apparently working under the supposition that “the suit makes the man” Burr’s latest campaign finance report shows an expenditure of $857.42 to Brooks Brothers in Raleigh for “Suits/ Jackets required for Session.”