Copied from the Tennessee Center for Policy Research's website:
[Al] Gore's mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).
In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.
Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.
First of all, Gore has answered the claims by pointing out that he uses clean energy. Secondly of all, Gore's lifestyle is not any different than any other politician. Thirdly of all, Howard Dean did not live nearly the kind of upperclass lifestyle that most other politicians live, and he was still smeared as an out of touch elitist.
Returning to the NCPPR, here is their status; from the same page as the smear in question:
The National Center for Public Policy Research is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan communications and research foundation established in 1982 and based in Washington, D.C.
And as cited here, 501(c)3's cannot work against any candidates:
For Section 501(c)(3) organizations, supporting or opposing the election of acandidate for public office at the federal, state, or local level is strictly prohibited and is cause for loss of tax-exempt status. Prohibited activities include endorsement, cash or in-kind contributions (including publicity, staff time, and use of facilities or assets such as photocopiers) to candidates or political parties, working for or against a candidate, rating or evaluating candidates, and coordinating activities with organizations having political aims(such as campaign committees, PACs, and Section 501(c)(4) organizations).
First of all, I submit that the NCPPR is guilty under the "working against a candidate" clause. The fact that they are promoting a smear against Al Gore means that they are working against his potential candidacy, in violation of 501(c)3.
Secondly of all, I submit that they are guilty under the coordination clause. This diary points out numerous Republican blogs picking up the smear, along with Drudge:
The echo chamber is engaging. Instapundit, Hot Air, Free Republic, WorldNetDaily, TownHall and several others are echoing and amplifying the smear. RedState, Captain's Quarters. More here and here, here, here, here, here, here, here. Wizbang.
The fact that the NCPPR is printing this smear at the same time means that they were coordinating their activities with other partisan groups in order to prevent the nomination or election of Al Gore.
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