Koch to back Democrats if Republicans won't do what he wants!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

STRINGS ATTACHED!

by Steve Fair

     Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a political lobbying group (501 C-4) founded in 2004 by Wichita, KS, businessmen Charles and David Koch.  AFP’s stated goal is to “recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate.”  AFP claims over 2.5 million members and over $85 million in annual revenue.  They have over 700 donors who contribute more than $100,000 annually to the organization.  AFP was instrumental in the growth of the Tea Party movement and have always politically leaned libertarian/conservative. 

     Two of President Trump’s former key political campaign operatives have an AFP background.  Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s first campaign manager, and Stuart Jolly, his first National Field Director, were state directors for AFP-  Lewandowski in New Hampshire, Jolly in Oklahoma.

     Since their inception, AFP has almost exclusively backed Republicans, but that may be coming to an end. On Sunday, Charles Koch, 82,  told a group of AFP donors that working with Democrats who want to reduce financial regulations and government spending is on the table.  He admitted that might be uncomfortable for some die hard Republicans in the room.   Koch, said he regrets supporting politicians who "say they are going to be for these principles we espouse, and then they aren’t.  We are going ... to hold people responsible for their commitments.” This was clearly a departure from Koch’s normally ‘back the ‘R’ in the race’ strategy.  

     On Monday, AFP announced they do not plan to back the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate in North Dakota- Kevin Cramer- because he supports President Trump’s trade policies and hardline stance on immigration.  The ND seat is one where Republicans are hopeful they can defeat a Democrat incumbent.  Koch’s support was considered crucial for financing Cramer’s bid.  Three observations:

     First, AFP has never been a true grassroots organization.  While marketed as one, AFP’s primary goal has always been to push AFP’s agenda by using the established GOP network of Party leaders.  Republican volunteers have been siphoned off from the traditional Party infrastructure by AFP, often times with the cooperation of GOP leadership.  AFP donors and leadership have been willing to use the grassroots GOP and help fund Party activities so long as it furthered their agenda, but when President Trump announced trade politics AFP doesn’t agree with, the loyalty ended.

     Second, AFP has clearly contributed to the ‘too much money in politics’ problem.  Campaigns cost money and GOP candidates at all levels run to AFP with their hand out hoping to get a check.  AFP was willing to give it out and help finance slick marketed campaigns, knowing someday they would collect on their investment. 

     Third, candidates should recognize every donation comes with strings.  When Koch says he will hold people ‘responsible for their commitment,’ he means he will withhold campaign donations from those who don’t do his bidding.  It’s his money and it’s his right to withhold it, but do we really want elected officials- of any political persuasion- to be so obligated to their donor base?  If so, they have become no more than a puppet and the donor, the puppet master.

     Since AFP plans to start working with progressives, time will tell whether AFP will be as successful infiltrating the Democrat Party as they have the Republican Party.