The politics surrounding President Bush’s surveillance bill have split the membership of a traditionally neutral think tank, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
The head of the foundation, Clifford May, confirmed for Newsweek that several prominent Democrats had resigned after an affiliated group began running political ads targeting 15 Democratic members of Congress. Those quitting the foundation include Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Eliot Engel and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile.
May, former communications director for the Republican National Committee, also heads the new organization, which has a similar name - Defense of Democracies - but a sharper political focus.
Although the group describes itself as a “non-partisan advocacy organization,” it has launched a $2 million ad campaign, with TV spots airing in the home districts of Democratic members of Congress who are considered vulnerable in the November elections. The ads accuse House Democrats of crippling efforts to prevent terrorism by failing to support Bush’s version of the surveillance bill.
The spots urge House members to the pass the Senate-approved Protect America Act, which expired Feb. 16. The reauthorization would allow the government to conduct overseas surveillance without special court warrants.
Defense of Democracies doesn’t list members on its web site.
The older foundation, whose stated mission is to defend against terrorism and advocate for human rights, is directed by Steve Forbes and Jack Kemp. The late Jeane Kirkpatrick, former U.N. ambassador, was a founding member.
Current advisers include former FBI director Louis Freeh, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Newt Gingrich and former CIA director R. James Woolsey.
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