GOP Tries Sinking Sherrod Brown With Unlikely New BFFs

Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and reading about a mysterious group called Enough Promises Ohio that’s been spending a pretty penny – at least $2 million – to boost a little-known socialist candidate in Ohio’s highly competitive Senate race. And you know what’s even more interesting? This group is being funded by Republicans, according to a new campaign finance filing. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up, right? It seems like the Republicans are trying to split the Democratic vote by backing independent candidate Greg Levy, who denies any connection to the group. Bless their hearts.

So, Enough Promises Ohio has been pouring money into ads and mailers that criticize Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown, including messaging that seeks to undercut his standing with Black voters. They’re also backing Greg Levy, who’s a socialist candidate. I’m no expert, but it seems like they’re trying to make Brown look bad and Levy look good. One of their online ads says Brown “sold us out” and that Levy is the “real progressive.” I’m not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that they’re spending so much money on this or the fact that they think this will actually work.

The group’s donors were revealed for the first time on Thursday, and it turns out that their only donor from October 1-14 was Conservative Americans PAC, a Republican super PAC, which contributed a whopping $2.5 million. This super PAC has been known to meddle in Democratic primaries, trying to elevate Democrats who they think would be more beatable in the general election. It’s like they’re trying to play a game of chess, except instead of pieces, they’re using candidates and voters.

Now, Brown is running to unseat GOP Sen. Jon Husted in one of the country’s most competitive Senate races. And Enough Promises Ohio is right in the middle of it, trying to influence the outcome. One of their mailers says “END THE WAR ON BLACK AMERICA” and shows images of Levy, who is Black, while the back of the mailer shows Brown and says, “SHERROD BROWN BUILT THE SYSTEM TO LOCK US UP.” Somewhere in Atlanta, a producer thought this sounded terrifying, I’m sure.

Of course, super PACs cannot coordinate with campaigns under federal law, so Levy’s campaign has been quick to distance themselves from Enough Promises Ohio. Levy’s campaign said in a statement that it “has no ties” to the group and condemned what it described as the “attempted deception of voters.” A spokesperson for Husted’s campaign also said that they had no involvement with Enough Promises Ohio.

As I finish my coffee, I’m left wondering what other surprises this election season has in store for us. Another super PAC, Buckeye Freedom PAC, has spent even more targeting Husted and promoting the Libertarian candidate, Bill Redpath. That group has not disclosed any donors yet, so we’ll have to wait and see what other twists and turns this story takes. In the end, it’s all just a big game of politics, and we’re all just along for the ride. And I’m happy to report that my coffee cup is still full, despite all the drama.

Big Elephant

Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.

Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.