Politics

Prominent Liberal Group Fundraises Off Benghazi

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
Font Size:

The prominent left-wing organization People for the American Way sent a fundraising email to donors on Wednesday about the 2012 attacks in Benghazi.

The money solicitation comes as Democrats are busy accusing Republicans of inappropriately fundraising on the issue ahead of this year’s elections.

Ironically, People for the American Way — in the fundraising email obtained by The Daily Caller — criticizes conservatives for raising money off Benghazi while simultaneously asking supporters to contribute dollars.

“The House GOP’s latest Benghazi investigation is nothing more than the exploitation of the death of four Americans for political gain,” the fundraising letter from the organization’s president, Michael Keegan, said. “They’re wasting taxpayer money to turn a tragedy into a phony scandal — all to rally their base and raise election funds.”

Four Americans died in the Benghazi attacks of 2012, including Chris Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya.

Warning that this “is not the first wild and wholly fabricated attack or conspiracy theory we’ve seen used by Republicans to whip up their base and it won’t be the last,” Keegan asks donors to renew their “membership with a gift today to help us expose the Right’s lies, and mobilize progressives to win at the ballot box.”

“Only by mobilizing and turning out enough progressive votes will we be able to prevent these extremists from winning control of the U.S. Senate and taking even more power on Election Day,” Keegan wrote. “That means we need your renewal contribution right now.”

A spokesman for People for the American Way did not immediately return an email from The Daily Caller asking whether they think it is appropriate to fundraise off the Benghazi attacks.

Last week, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel said: “Fundraising off the Benghazi tragedy is despicable and insulting and has no place in the national conversation.”

People for the American Way is a liberal group that plays in numerous political issues. The Daily Caller reported this week on the left-wing organization’s involvement in the ouster of David and Jason Benham from the Home and Garden Television network over their conservative beliefs on abortion and gay marriage.

Here is the fundraising email sent on Wednesday:

People for the American Way fundraising email

Follow Alex on Twitter