Type of organization: Super PAC
Supports: Democratic Party
Founded: Jan. 21, 2010
Website: www.americanbridgepac.org
Social media: YouTube channel, Facebook page, Twitter profile
Principals:
- David Brock (founder and treasurer): Brock is a conservative-turned-liberal pundit and writer who is the founder of Media Matters for America.
- Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (chairwoman): Former lieutenant governor of Maryland and deputy assistant district attorney general during the Clinton administration.
- Rodell Mollineau (president): Previously staff director of the Senate Democratic Communications Center under Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Profile:
American Bridge 21st Century was started by former journalist and liberal activist David Brock, who staffed the super PAC with former Hill staffers and employees of his nonprofit, Media Matters for America.
Media Matters describes itself as a “progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.” American Bridge’s mission is similar with a strong focus on opposition research to help Democratic candidates and other allied super PACs.
The group monitors leading GOP candidates’ records and public appearances and has made news with some of its findings. It also deploys social media to share its findings — to “[help] you ascertain when Republican candidates are pretending to be something they’re not.”
As the Center for Public Integrity has reported, American Bridge is one of several progressive political groups to coordinate fundraising efforts for the 2012 elections. Like Democratic-aligned super PACs House Majority PAC and Majority PAC, American Bridge’s address of record is the Washington offices of the Perkins Coie law firm. In April, the three groups held a joint press conference to announce their combined fundraising total, further solidifying their ties.
American Bridge also has a 501(c)(4) arm, which is called the American Bridge 21st Century Foundation.
Advertisements:
- The group has not reported making any independent expenditures to the Federal Election Commission, but the group has published a number of anti-Romney videos on its website.
Last updated: April 23, 2012