'Black Republican PAC' Fronts for Direct Mail Wingnut Welfare

Originally published on Pam's House Blend.

I recently received a direct mail piece from a reader that is unbelievable. It is from an entity called the "Black Republican PAC," headed up by Edward Cousar. Here is a taste of what's in the mailing:

"Because what we conservatives need right now more than anything else is someone and some group who can speak the truth about Obama without being intimidated by the "racist" label.

I am that man and Black Republican PAC is that group.

I'm dedicated to exposing Barack Obama's liberalism before it's too late for America.

It goes on for four pages of garbage. I decided to surf around and see who Cousar was and what this organization was about. What I found was revealing; a strategy that not only uses black Republicans as a cover for the above, but is at its base a group white GOP operatives using funds raised by this and other web of PACs to line their incestuous direct mail companies' coffers.

I began writing this post as another observation of the really self-loathing slices of the GOP. At the Blend we often discuss how deluded some of the Log Cabin Republicans are. You know, the ones who have convinced themselves to not only personally vote for John McCain, but to go out and proclaim that he's the right option for the country (and LGBTs) despite his anti-gay record.

Well, the LCRs have nothing on the folks at the "Black Republican PAC," which sent out a direct mail piece to Blender Orion45 (who sent me the hard copy) that I've scanned for your perusal.

Remember, nearly 25% of LGBTs cast a vote for Bush, that's hard to swallow, but think about black Republicans like Edward Cousar who are using misleading statements and outright lies about Barack Obama in support of their man McCain (whose record on civil rights is abominable). Look at this sham Cousar's spiel as he readily admits he's a tool to provide cover for the GOP base:

Because what we conservatives need right now more than anything else is someone and some group who can speak the truth about Obama without being intimidated by the "racist" label.

I am that man and Black Republican PAC is that group.

I'm dedicated to exposing Barack Obama's liberalism before it's too late for America.

...I oppose Barack's radical leftist plans for America and I guarantee you I'm no racist!

Orion45 wasn't the only one who thought this mailer was absurd -- this PAC seems like some lame McCain-generated or GOP think-tank propaganda. Here's Hal from one of the Barack Obama community blogs:

Well, my father in law got a mailing from "Black Republican PAC". It was full of mis-statements and bald faced lies. It was so preposterous, full of mis-spellings and grammatical errors, that I believe it was created by an 8th grader. Anyway, the point of the mailing was to ask for money to defeat Obama.

The letter started me thinking. Is there a list somewhere of PAC's who are anti-Obama. Not only a list, but something more, like background information on the organizers, the financiers, that kind of information that would act as truth in advertising.

I found next to nothing on Black Republican PAC or Edward Cousar when I googled them, so more information might be helpful.

So who is Cousar and what is this "Black Republican PAC?"

Googling brought up a Facebook profile and this cryptic description of Cousar:

Cousar lives in Rock Hill, and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1990 with a B.A. in Political Science. He was State Chairman of the College Republicans from 1988-1990. He has worked on numerous Republican campaigns.

If you look up "Black Republican PAC" on OpenSecrets, you get some idea of who's behind this effort. Here are the suckers contributors to the PAC. The only two candidates to benefit from it this year were Robin Hayes (R-NC), and Erwin Roberts (R-KY). They received $1000 each.

The largest recipient of the largesse of the DC-based Black Republican PAC was an outfit called Patriot Partners to the tune of $111,126, and BMW Direct received $44,171. Both of these are direct mail/list management services known for their work with conservative pols, and other recipients of Black Republican PAC funds show you the true meaning of wingnut welfare -- they are all passing the money amongst themselves. The campaign of Deborah Travis Honeycutt, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Georgia in 2006 (she lost by 38 points) and is running again this year, is a beneficiary of the wingnut welfare Ponzi scheme, but it certainly didn't result in much for boots-on-the-ground support for the candidate. From TPM Muckraker's "Conservative Fundraising Firm Takes Hefty Cut From Other Candidate's Haul"

For the most recent quarter, the campaign raised $620,016.72 in mostly small donations from across the country, according to her most recent FEC filing. And she spent $537,622.68 during the first quarter, most of which was to cover the costs of the direct mail campaign.

Only a small fraction of the money went to pay for a campaign on the ground. The total money spent in Georgia was $16,695. That covered expenses listed as political field work, public relations and media.

However, more than $314,000 went to BMW Direct and its affiliates who all work in the same downtown Washington office building.

...For example, Honeycutt's FEC report shows a payment to BMW Direct affiliate Century Data Systems Corp. for $7,430.85 for "data processing" on Feb. 4, 2008. The campaign cut a $23,569 check to the affiliate Legacy List Marketing for "list rentals" on Feb. 21, 2008. And a $19,544 check on March 7 for "direct mail fundraising" went to a company called Patriot Partners, which shares an office address with Legacy List Marketing.

Honeycutt has pulled in four times as much cash as Dem incumbent Rep. David Scott but most of dough recycles into the cash flow of related direct mail operations...

The treasurer of this "Black Republican PAC" is Scott B. McKenzie, a long-time DC insider and head of Client Accounting and FEC compliance for BMW Direct. Would it surprise you that McKenzie is treasurer of Honeycutt's campaign as well as current treasurer of another PAC, Freedom's Defense Fund? Lo and behold, FDF states as its address in its FEC filings is 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 614 in Washington, DC. This is the same address for BMW Direct, Inc. Here are FDF's contributions -- it did better in spreading the wealth...

House
Davis, Geoff (R-KY) $1,000
Hayes, Robin (R-NC) $3,500
Jenkins, Woody (R-LA) $2,500
Roberts, Erwin (R-KY) $2,500
Rohrabacher, Dana (R-CA) $600
Ryun, Jim (R-KS) $4,993

Senate
Gilmore, Jim (R-VA) $5,000
Schaffer, Bob (R-CO) $1,000

However, Patriot Partners, Inc. billed FDF for services of $333,072. BMW Direct nabbed $47,610. You get the idea; it's a cesspool of financial incest. The funds raised by efforts like Cousar's Black Republican PAC are nothing more than a cash generation scheme since candidates like Honeycutt are unlikely to pull off a win despite all the money brought in. Cousar and his crew are being used as tokens for the old bait-and-switch. What is the price for selling out? Pretty darn cheap in the grand scheme of things. I'm sure Courson sleeps like a baby at night.

Look at the FEC documents for the PAC here.

Honeycutt may in fact be a great candidate; that's not the issue, nor is being black and a Republican (or gay and Republican) in itself ridiculous. It may not be palatable at all to be in a party that is currently run by the far right extremists; one can choose not to support those in your party who work against your interests within that already hostile environment. You don't have to advocate for the election of John McCain by putting out garbage like that mailer.

What we're seeing here are the worst aspects of that GOP machinery at work, using some of the black members of its party to hide behind as it launches an attack on Barack Obama. The GOP is able to toss race into the picture from behind the "safe" visage of Cousar's representation.

I will end with another nugget of wisdom from puppet mouthpiece Cousar in that "Black Republican PAC" direct mail letter, as he again touts his race cred:

And frankly, unlike many other conservatives who aren't black, I will not be intimidated by the Liberal Media and their fraudulent cries of "racism."

I will have more credibility to spread our message because there's no doubt that I oppose Barack for his wrong-headed liberal ideas.

Opposing his failed liberal policies doesn't make you "racist" -- no matter thow hysterically the Liberal Media repeats the charge.

I would love to see the membership list of this PAC, and see all of the administrators in this effort. I would be surprised if there are many, if any other black Republicans behind this organization.

Follow Pam Spaulding on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pam_Spaulding

Comments

[Daniboy]

When people question why a black would vote for a Repub-I think they are showing some racism!!! I am sure there are conservative, moderate, and liberal blacks. There are many, many successful blacks in this country. They know the government can only do so much for them. What is different between the blacks that get out of poverty and those who don't? Maybe one reason is the belief that they can make it. Blacks can do it because they are just as smart as we are or do some of you disagree?

[ejay579]

Only goes to show you that the lunatic fringe is not limited to white America.

[notthistime]

Trust. This IS a non-issue. It won't happen. 98% of blacks will vote Democrat this elections and the repubs cited in this blog would not dare push too far and I will just leave it at that.

DO NOT Believe the hype.

[manicallday]

Why do you say that? The Democratic party has largely failed Black America. Frankly, I really don't understand the attraction. Although I am not a Republican, I am open to hear what they have to offer. I think that many Black people feel the same way. Being a single voting bloc has not benefited us at all and I think that it's time for the the Black community to maximize their voting power. If Obama has made the choice to ignore Black issues then why should I vote for him? I know that this upsets most liberals who would rather that I would just "know my place," but we are not going to gain any real political power until we vote according to our interest. Look how much the Hispanic and other communities will gain in the next election. I mean they are talking about completely immunity. What have we gotten in the last 12 years that even compares?

[Merersu]

Obama hasn't chosen to ignore black issues, because what you see as a "black" issue, tends to be a poor white issue, a poor Latino issue, and so on. The perceived separation between Americans is the problem. Obama sees us as one people, Repugs only see dollar signs and not people. That is what's so destructive and divisive about them. Their god is money with no room for compassion. The happiest stretch of my life was during Bill Clinton's administration. I had money, I liked my country-was proud of how we were seen in the world, and looking forward to a great future. But with one election stolen, we managed to fall deep into that well again without a Lassie to help get us out. The Republican's have earned all the hatred coming their way. They have earned every damned bit of it!

[druidlady42]

Some of the infamous "THEY" Obama was referring to,-----the ones who do the dirty work for McCain so he can claim to have "clean hands"!

[Zentomato]

Blacks voting for McCain reminds me of the comparison of "chickens voting for Colonel Sanders." It just makes no sense.

[manicallday]

First I love the chicken reference - I love slight of hand racism. Secondly why should Black people just vote for Obama? What has he offered us in return for our votes? Sure he is Black and a Democrat, but based on issues what does he have to offer me?

[Titonwan]

"There's nothing new under the sun". My ancestors we're hunted down, not by whites, but by Indian scouts. And then after all the people were rounded up (or killed), the scouts were put on the reservation too. You'd think these "black" republicans would know that, but then again, people have very short memories.

[Grada3784]

The short story "Discards" says it very well. Harlan Ellison put a futuristic spin on what you said when he wrote it.

[mizonglohong]

Pam, you said a mouthful!!!!! This is truly sad. I was at a town hall yesterday where an African American was screaming at Obama over issues he has addressed many times, and I wondered if he truly was acting on his own behalf.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25967845#25967845

The person really made a fool of himself because he OBVIOUSLY has not followed Obama's campaign at all, and is just making points that don't exist. I will also help make this story viral!!!

[notthistime]

and that is alright mizonglohang. it is all good because it is clear that Obama is focused on rights of All Americans and not just one group. So overall, it is beneficial. I hope it continues.

don't worry about it, Obama will secure at least 98% of the AA vote come November. We will vote Democrat this year.

[neesy08]

i subscribe to BlackPolitics.Com, a newsletter that provides news the mainstream media never covers. about a month ago there was a link about a group of black GOP's (that makes me shudder), sending out adverts they wanted broadcast on black only radio stations. i was shocked when i read the advert!

it had every racial insult and slur that white people have used to describe black eople! i could not believe these upper class uncle tom twits thought black radio stations would air the advert. it was damning to their audience! in the same newsletter was a link that sent you to an article written by a female of african descent. she was wondering why more black people had not joined the gop!!! i nearly fainted! i had to post an email.

in my email i mentioned willie horton, the black welfare queen, regans starting his campaign in philadelphia, ms were the civil rights workers were murdered, etc. i reminded her of harold ford and the rnc using racists comments to attack obama. were have these embicles been!

true, it was the democratic party that institutionalized slavery, but the party has made up for it. these people have forgotten what color they are. elders, williams, watkins all make me puke when i see them. blacks attacking a black man! and watkins is the worse!!

he agrees with everything mccain's camp says. elders and williams are not better. they do commentary on faux news, make me sick.

[taitracee]

(sigh) this is too ignorant to express any time in writing anything about this group of dillusional pawns.

[robXdion]

Most Black Republicans became that way by living EXTREMELY sheltered lives or strong delusions of their own racial self-awareness in relation to endemic racist views in the GOP. They are being used and they're happy to about it.

[londonrainbow]

Blacks should have more pride and self-worth by now, instead of letting rethugs use them.

No black American should join rethugs in demoralizing or assassinating O's character. Rethugs do nothing for us.

[notthistime]

You can't save everyone. Look at the state of America today and folks are still willing to vote Republican this November even after the last 8 years along with promises of more of the same? It isn't a color issue it is a "status quo" issue. If they want to live in ignorance or in an alternate universe -- I say go for it. This is after all a free country. The majority of us will continue to get prepared for the hard work come Jan 09 when we finally take back the White House and focus our efforts on helping the Democrats steer this country back on track.

Vote Obama 08.

[YouDisgustMe]

very well said

[pcplz]

I have wondered about all of the black Republicans who come on MSNBC as political analysts and really are so pro McCain and anti Obama.

Now I know.

[metalpipe]

I love it! GOP operatives try to strike a blow to the O camp, and end up creating a series of groups intent on lining their own pockets. Classic.

[Bitsko]

Thank you, Miss Spaulding, for a very informative article. I have forwarded the url to all of my friends. Let's here more from you!

[MiddleRoadLiberal]

I'm still stunned that all conservatives have to do is say "liberal" and "lefty" a thousand times in an "argument" without any substantive facts or even descriptions of the supposed "lefty" policies they oppose and people will thumb their nose at the commie Democrats; stunned at how fast those two words have become (almost) synonymous with "un-american" and "evil."

[bison2]

And to get a black face to say 'liberal' and 'lefty' is even better!

[YouDisgustMe]

...if by "better" you mean "more pathetic"

[Burningspear]

Every village has its idiot. Cousar is not racist, he is a petty opportunistic scavenger who like a leach will do anything to feed off his host. He doesn't represent the ideals of any black person and should be ashamed to hold himself in that regard. Stupidity is easy to teach and here Mr. Cousar scores very highly. I will not dignify this with a political response because false assertions deserve to be repudiated and the likes of Cousar regarded irrelevant in our political process.