We just received a mailer from a conservative PAC/think tank that to the casual glance looks like a League of Women Voter's guide. I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that it's not. It's sponsored by the Oregon Transformation Project, an organization apparently initially involved with the primary in May, though I don't recall anything like this showing up then. The Oregonian says that they were more heavily involved with Clackamas County at that time.
In any case, this time they're claiming to be the Women's Voters Guide 2012, more below the jump.
The people who actually put together the mailing claim to be a 'diverse group of women', all of five strong; Two Republicans, two Republican-leaning Democrats and an unaffiliated woman claiming to be from a military family. They're making 67 'recommendations' in their 'guide'; mostly Republicans, including Romney, though they do nod to a number of Democrats in noncompetitive races. They include a column showing the Oregon Women's Panel Vote score for each race.
The San Fransisco Chronicle has published some info on the group and it's workings, and they're catching grief from both sides-
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Republican Chairman Allen Alley has resigned from a conservative political organization over a campaign mailing that included about 30 Democrats among its endorsements...
The mailing was a "Women's Voters Guide" that included recommendations from a panel of five women — two Republicans, two Democrats and one unaffiliated voter.
The recommendations heavily favored Republicans but also recommended about 30 Democrats in races for the Legislature.....
Alley said the organization began as a think tank focused on the state budget but broadened its reach. He said he has never been involved in the transformation project's political action committee, which has become a major force in campaigns in Clackamas County and in legislative races around the state.
Longtime Republican Party activist Marylin Shannon angrily attacked Alley and Rob Kremer, who is treasurer of the Oregon Republican Party and the prime force behind the transformation project.
"There is no reason for the chairman and treasurer of the Republican Party to send out a flier that endorses Democrats," Shannon said.
Alley said in his letter that he did not agree with all of the recommendations in the flier and that he played no role in the development of the guide. No Republican Party money was used for the guide, he said.
The Oregonian has been following them as well-
How controversial 'Women's Voter Guide' came together
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Index of Oregonian stories on Oregon Transformation Project
Just one more sneaky, underhanded neocon trick to add to the tally.
I won't be able to stay, just wanted to send up a flare and let folks know.