A mysterious group is poised to spend a $1 million on anti-gambling ads in Alabama’s primary election and nobody seems to have any idea who is behind the group, where the money is coming from, or what they want:
Something subversive is afoot in Alabama’s Republican primary.
A shadowy outfit called the New Sons of Liberty Inc. is poised to launch a major, statewide advertising campaign in connection with the race. The group has committed more than $1 million toward the purchase television air time on networks in the state’s five largest media markets, beginning May 21.
The Mobile Press-Register’s George Talbot says “the group apparently is related to a grass roots organization called New Sons of Liberty Society,” which is a Birther group formed recently in Illinois, but the organization’s website provides no information at all, consisting solely of the ad, links to email various candidates running for Governor (except Roy Moore because, as the site says, he “opposes all forms of gambling,”) and this message:
Only when the true corrupting effects of gambling, alcohol, and drug use are widely known will the children of our nation be free to turn away from their lure. Our elected officials hear from those who promote and profit from these so-called industries. Our courts are full of lawyers who are hired to do their bidding.
But when do the people get heard?
Before you support a candidate for governor, make sure you know where he stands. Take just a minute to send an e-mail asking for a clear statement from each candidate. Make them know you are paying attention. Put them on the record.
If you don’t, we all must live with the consequences.
Randy Brinson of the Christian Coalition of Alabama says their research shows that the money is coming from out of state interests though Connecticut, but wouldn’t say more, while press investigations have turned up only bits and pieces:
The Associated Press has reported that the New Sons of Liberty was organized April 29 in Washington as a charitable group that can engage in political activity. Listed as directors were Jenny Ann Hunter of Arlington, Va.; Emily Kay Stephenson of Bentonville, Ark.; and Robert Price of Tallahassee, Fla.
Hunter and Stephenson told the Press-Register that the group is a “health care organization.” They declined further comment.
Strangely, the address used on the website registration is the same as the headquarters of Concerned Women for America:
The website is registered to a Robert Adams of Washington, D.C., and lists the same address as the Conservative Women of America, which supported Moore’s efforts to display a 10 Commandments monument in the lobby of the Alabama Judicial Building.
