Houston homebuilder, Christian zealout and hardcore GOP backer Bob J. Perry was funded, at least partially, the 'Swift Boat' attack ads since recanted by one Veteran.
Anti-Kerry Vet Retracts Claim
August 6, 2004
WASHINGTON (CBS) The Kerry campaign has accused the Swift Boat group of having political ties to the Republican Party.
"Far from being a grassroots organization of veterans, this group is a front for the right-wing Texas Republicans to try and take away one of John Kerry’s political strengths -- his service to the country in Vietnam," the campaign charged in a 36-page document given to reporters.
And, indeed, a wealthy Texan and prolific Republican donor is helping bankroll the anti-Kerry ad campaign.
Houston homebuilder BOB J. PERRY has donated at least $100,000 to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Perry's other donations in the 2003-04 cycle include $10,000 to the pro-Republican Club for Growth and at least $19,250 to federal candidates and party committees, including $2,000 to Bush's re-election effort.
Some television stations have agreed to pull the controversial commercial, and one of the veterans who criticized Kerry's service now says he was mistaken.
The 60-second spot -- scheduled to run in small markets in three swing states -- Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin -- features Vietnam veterans who accuse Kerry of lying about his decorated Vietnam War record and betraying his fellow veterans by later opposing the conflict. -
http://kutv.com/topstories/topstories_story_219143719.html
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Perry, Bob J. & Doylene
The Center for Public Integrity
Perry is the top individual contributor to Texas governor Rick Perry, who took office when George W. Bush became president and was elected to a four year term in 2002, but there is no relation, according to both. Bob Perry, of Perry Homes, is a homebuilder from Houston who is also one of the top contributors to Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a political action committee (itself heavily supportive of Gov. Perry) whose primary concern is tort reform.
Total Contributions to 527 Committees since August 2000 by BOB J. PERRY :
Amount Contributed . . . Committee
$300,000 . . . Majority Leader's Fund
$180,000 . . . Americans for a Republican Majority Non-Federal Account
$165,000 . . . Texans for a Republican Majority
$100,000 . . . Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
$50,000 . . . . People for Enterprise, Trade and Economic Growth
$50,000 . . . . Republican Majority Issues Committee
$25,000 . . . . American Dream PAC
$25,000 . . . . GOPAC, Inc.
$10,000 . . . . Club for Growth Inc.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/527/search.aspx?act=con&sec=indprof&orgid=806