The American Leadership Project, or ALP, is a tax-exempt organization formed in February, 2008 with the goal of promoting Hillary Clinton's Campaign. Defined as a 527 group under the tax law, ALP is allowed to receive donations of unlimited size from individuals and is not required to disclose who the donors are. The groups are controversial because many argue they hold the power to influence elections. The law prohibits 527 groups from "attempting to sway an election."
Fast Facts:
- Group Chairman: Jason Kinney
- Classified as a 527 group
- Will spend $10 million on TV advertising
- Most campaign organizations limited to accepting only $5,000 a year from individuals
- 527 groups have no limitations on donations
- The group has refused to disclose the identities of its donors
- The group will not call on people to vote for Hillary Clinton
- The Barack Obama Campaign has issued a statement claiming the group violates the law
- Ads will focus on the alleged discrepancy in experience between the two candidates
American Leadership Project News
- Topix.net: American Leadership Project
- New York Observer: "Clinton 527 Will Endure Unbearable, Life-Changing Misery" ( February 21, 2008)
- "This is absolutely a cold, calculated move to violate the law for the benefit of the candidate and to assume that any penalty will be so deferred to the future that the immediate benefits can be gained now without consequence."
- Washington Post: "Independent Group to Air TV Ads Echoing Attacks on Obama" (February 21, 2008)
WARNING: Pop-ups - "In the group's first ad, the television image shows a shuttered factory and a home in foreclosure, and a voiceover says: 'If speeches could create jobs, we wouldn't be facing a recession.'"
- Talking Points Memo: "Obama Campaign: Pro-Hillary 527 Is Blatantly Illegal" (February 21, 2008)
- The Associated Press: "Strategists Set Up Pro-Clinton Group" (February 20, 2008)
