Meet the Attack Lads

Dirty politics has been around since Thomas Jefferson’s oppo researchers went after Alexander Hamilton’s mistress in 1800, but there’s more money in it these days. With campaign expenditures hitting record levels—nearly $1.2 billion was spent in 2004, much of it channeled through shadowy independent-expenditure groups, 527 committees, and the like—those schooled in politics’ darker arts are cashing in like never before. And for the off years, there’s always corporate marketing and “grassroots lobbying,” which increasingly employ the tricks of the campaign trade. Here are some key players from years past, and their current allegiances.

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Instructions: Click on the images below to watch the ads and meet the attack lads.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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