This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, March 2, 2012 - U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., already is the target of various conservative groups and Super PACs. On Friday, a new conservative online group -- ForAmerica -- announced that it also will take aim at the senator using social media.
Missouri is among three states, including Montana and Virginia, where the group plans to be active on such sites as Facebook and Twitter.
In a statement, the group said its campaign -- called "Operation ObamaClone" -- "will educate voters on how U.S. senators like Claire McCaskill have embraced President (Barack) Obama’s failed policies including the stimulus bill, ObamaCare, and other initiatives that have taken our country down the path to skyrocketing debt, increased job losses and Big Government expansion."
A spokesman said the group's activities will include comments and quotes on Facebook and Twitter.
"Sen. Claire McCaskill has been cheering on President Obama and his destructive policies at every turn,” said ForAmerica Chairman L. Brent Bozell. “Missourians need to know how deeply into denial Sen. McCaskill has fallen when it comes to his worship of this failed president.”
The nonprofit group has set up an attack website, which features disparaging pictures and comments about the senator and President Barack Obama, and highlights their stands on various issues, notably taxes and government spending.
Two other states also are being targeted -- Montana and Virginia -- where ForAmerica is aiming its criticisms at U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, R-Mont., and former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who is running for the U.S. Senate.
A spokesman said that ForAmerica has a budget of $5 million for this year's campaign efforts. He declined to identify the donors.
