Group Information

Overview Finances Election Activities Funders Principals & Consultants Selected Affiliates Coalition Partners

Overview:

Progress for America (PFA) Stated Purpose: Advocates tax cuts, free trade, school vouchers and confirmation of Bush’s judicial nominees. Tax Status: 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) Political Orientation: Republican Profile: September 2004 — The National Journal reported in late 2003 that Progress for America (PFA) was attempting to raise $40 million to $60 million to spend on "issue advocacy, voter mobilization, and grassroots efforts to boost Bush and GOP candidates."1 More recently, in the aftermath of the May FEC decision not to regulate electioneering communications of 527 and 501(c) groups, PFA president Brian McCabe pledged that PFA "will become even more active than ever."2 The group, however, has subsequently created a 527 entity, the Progress for America Voter Fund, and may have ceased funding political activities with 501(c) money.3 PFA's staff is loaded with Republican heavyweights, and the messages it has disseminated have all been pro-GOP.4 PFA's Web site previously described PFA's purpose as "supporting Pres. George Walker Bush's agenda for America."5 Its founder, Tony Feather, was political director of President Bush's 2000 campaign and runs a GOP-aligned political consulting firm, Feather Larson & Synhorst, which provides direct mail and grassroots organizing work for Republican clients, including Bush's 2004 campaign.6 Other current and former PFA principals and consultants include lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg, counsel to Bush's 2000 and 2004 campaigns and previously counsel to the RNC and other national Republican fundraising committees; Mark McKinnon, who produced ads for PFA advocating for Bush's tax cut plan in 2001 and is ad director for Bush's re-election campaign; and Chris LaCivita, former political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who serves as executive director of PFA. Feather has left PFA, but LaCivita continues to work out of the offices of Feather's consulting firm.7 8 9 The Web site of Feather Larson & Synhorst listed PFA under the heading of "National Republican Organizations" that are clients of the firm.10 An October 2003 party thrown by PFA, at which its fundraising plans were discussed, drew such prominent Republicans as Ken Mehlman, chairman of President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, Ed Gillespie, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform.11 PFA appears to have been formed shortly after President Bush's inauguration. In April 2001, the group ran an ad campaign that promoted Bush's plan to cut taxes.12 In June 2001, the group ran a polling operation that was designed to create the perception of grassroots support for Bush's energy plan. After PFA conducted polls over the telephone, the group sent respondents ready-to-sign letters saying that they wanted no price controls or new regulations imposed on electric power companies. The letters were addressed to members of Congress and printed on stationery customized to the respondent.13 In 2003, PFA reportedly spent $500,000 broadcasting two commercials that attacked a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in Mississippi.14 Prior to forming a 527 entity, PFA consisted of at least two organizations with common officers and directors. The first was incorporated as a 501(c)(4), a social welfare organization. The second, which reported to the IRS that it began operations in late 2002 but had no activities that year or the next, was incorporated as a 501(c)(6), a business league association.15 1   Peter H. Stone, "Inside Two Soft Money Havens," National Journal, Dec. 20, 2003. 2   Thomas B. Edsall, "In Boost for Democrats, FEC Rejects Proposed Limits on Small Donors," Washington Post, May 14, 2004. 3   Progress for America Form 8871, Political Organization Notice of Section 527 Status, July 2003. 4   Public Citizen's analysis of data contained in the New Stealth PACs database. Data collected from groups' Web sites and annual tax forms, press reports, academic papers on activities of independent political groups and interviews by Public Citizen research staff. 5   Nicholas Confessore, "Bush's Secret Stash," Washington Monthly, May 2004. 6   Thomas B. Edsall, "GOP Creating Own '527' Groups; Unregulated Funds Can Be Raised," June 30 2004. 7   Thomas B. Edsall, "GOP Creating Own '527' Groups; Unregulated Funds Can Be Raised," June 30 2004. 8   Public Citizen's analysis of data contained in the New Stealth PACs database. Data collected from groups' Web sites and annual tax forms, press reports, academic papers on activities of independent political groups and interviews by Public Citizen research staff. 9   Public Citizen was told that LaCivita worked at Feather Larson & Synhorst. In an attempt to reach him, Public Citizen called Feather Larson & Synhorst's office and was transferred to LaCivita's voice mail. 10   Feather Larson & Synhorst Web site. (Available at www.fls-dci.com. Accessed on May 21, 2004.) 11   Peter H. Stone, "Inside Two Soft Money Havens," National Journal, Dec. 20, 2003. 12   Julie Samuels, "Group Touts Bush Tax Plan," National Journal, April 2, 2001. 13   "Firm Polling Montanans about Deregulation, Sending Letters To Sign," Associated Press, June 24, 2001. 14   Chris Cillizza, "GOP Group Joins Soft-Money Fray," Roll Call, Nov. 24, 2003. 15   Progress for America 501©(4) and Progress for America 501(c)(6) 990 forms, 2002.