Our Country Deserves Better

Our Country Deserves Better is a political action committee (PAC) formed to oppose 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. According to its website, the PAC opposes Obama for his stances on taxes, national defense, energy policy, immigration and judicial appointments.

Links to Move America Forward
The officers of the Our Country Deserves Better PAC overlap extensively with current and former leaders of the pro-war organization Move America Forward (MAF). These include MAF co-founder and former chair Howard Kaloogian, who chairs the PAC; PR executive Sal Russo, who serves as chief strategist for both MAF and the PAC; Russo Marsh & Rogers principal Joe Wierzbicki, who serves as grassroots coordinator for MAF and coordinates the PAC; and Marine mom Deborah Johns, who is MAF's director of military relations and the PAC's spokesperson.

Tea Party Express
Our Country Deserves Better PAC launched the Tea Party Express national bus tour on August 28th, 2009 to rally "Americans to oppose the out-of-control spending, higher taxes, bailouts, and growth in the size and power of government."

Against climate change legislation, June 2009
In June 2009, Our Country Deserves Better launched a campaign called "stop cap and trade." The conservative PAC claimed that the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill "will saddle Americans with thousands of dollars in new taxes, fees, and and costs each year."

New York special Congressional election, March 2009
In 2009, Our Country Deserves Better endorsed Jim Tedisco, the Republican candidate in a special election for Congress in New York's 20th district. Tedisco's opponent is Democratic candidate Scott Murphy. The special election was called to replace Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to fill the Senate seat left open when Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State. The PAC promised "a large cash infusion" of "'hundreds of thousands' of dollars to Tedisco's cause by the March 31 special election." The associated MAF Freedom PAC also endorsed Tedisco, calling him "a solid conservative" whose election would "chip away at [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi's anti-military majority" and be the "first step in slowing down the Obama march to abandon the war on terror."

According to CQ Politics, as of two weeks before the election, OCDB's spending was significantly less than "hundreds of thousands" of dollars. "The conservative Our Country Deserves Better PAC, which ran ads against Obama during the 2008 presidential election, has made a small ad buy of $17,000 attacking Murphy," it reported. "A new independent poll on the 20th District contest shows Democratic nominee Scott Murphy, a newcomer candidate, within striking distance of Republican Jim Tedisco, a state Assembly leader."

The nonpartisan campaign watchdog group FactCheck.org criticized OCDB's ads against Murphy. Its analysis of an OCDB ad claiming Murphy is against the U.S. military stated:
 * Whether he "smeared" the military then is a judgment call we won't address. But we will say that a strongly worded editorial penned 20 years in college is flimsy evidence for a "shameful record of attacking our military." We called Our Country Deserves Better PAC to ask whether the group had any other support for its claim; no one has returned our calls.

FactCheck deemed "misleading" another OCDB ad, which claimed "Murphy's company failed to pay taxes after three liens were placed against it."

Bus tour
In mid to late October 2008, Our Country Deserves Better held a cross-country "Stop Obama" bus tour. At a stop in Nevada, tour participant and talk radio host Mark Williams accused Obama of "rigging" the election. "I'm from Boston," he said. "I know world-class crooks, and I know how to rig an election. And I can tell you that Barack Obama is rigging this election."

At the same rally, the group's director, Deborah Johns, claimed, "Obama would rather eat a box of nails than acknowledge our troops for a job well done. ... My son could have went to college, but he chose to give that up to serve his country, and I'm proud of him. When the call to action came, Barack Obama [did not respond]. He doesn't deserve the title of 'commander-in-chief.'"

At the bus tour's stop in Troy, Michigan, Williams said, "I'm afraid for my country because if Obama wins, we all become chattel. ... But Obama is not going to win."

Ads
The nonpartisan campaign watchdog group FactCheck.org has faulted Our Country Deserves Better's ads. In October 2008, FactCheck noted that the PAC's ads against Barack Obama were based on "charges that fueled months' worth of misleading and false chain e-mails."

In September 2008, Our Country Deserves Better "hit the airwaves with a new ad attacking Barack Obama for not placing his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance, showing posters of Che Guevarra [sic] in one of his campaign offices, and digging up footage one of Rev. Jerimiah [sic] Wright’s famously inflamatory [sic] sermons," reported the California Capitol Weekly. "A release from the PAC said the ad will air in several swing states."

In an interview, PAC coordinator Joe Wierzbicki said his group hopes to "raise in excess of $1 million by Election Day," and run ads in "ten states." In regards to the PAC's ad that questions Obama's statements on religion, Wierzbicki asked, "Is Barack Obama's faith the Muslim registration listed by his family when he was a student growing up in Indonesia? Or is it the black liberation theology espoused by Reverend Jeremiah Wright...? Or is it the mainstream Christianity he identified with in the forum hosted by Pastor Rick Warren?"

Wierzbicki claimed Our Country Deserves Better isn't "Swiftboating" Obama, because, for example, "We've not used the photographs of Barack Obama in what some call 'Muslim garb' because the photos by themselves are inconclusive." They also decided, "despite the controversy that her words created," not to "use Michelle Obama's comments about this being the first time in her adult life that she was proud to be an American."

Promoting Palin, post-election
Following the election of Barack Obama on November 4, 2008, the PAC put an poll on its website, asking supporters to weigh in on the group's future. The poll asked the question, "Should we fight on for victory in 2010 and 2012?" and the possible responses were "YES - We must fight for victory!," "NO - We should accept defeat and move on," or "UNDECIDED/UNSURE."

In response to a blogger's question, "What will the Our Country Deserves Better organization focus on now that Obama has won?," Deborah Johns replied: "We do plan to be a watchdog for what happens in the Obama Administration, especially when it comes to matters concerning our military and national defense. We are also going to look at Congressional and Senate issues and hold them accountable as well."

In mid-November, the PAC announced plans to run television ads thanking former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, around Thanksgiving. "Over the past few days, about 1,000 people have donated tens of thousands of dollars to Our Country Deserves Better," reported the New York Times election blog on November 11. The PAC's Wierzbicki told the Times that his group felt "there has been 'an absence of a pro-Palin cohort. ... This woman’s reputation is going to be so damaged that she can never be a national political figure,' he added. So the goal of the ad is to 'preserve her options.'"

A local CBS report on the Palin Thanksgiving ad said one of the spot's aims was "to urge her to run for President" in 2012.

Website
The domain name for the Our Country Deserves Better website was registered by Sal Russo on July 22, 2008.

From August 2008 until October 2009, the website itself was designed by Eusatrix Corporation, the company founded by Kelly S. Eustis who is listed on the group's website as its Political Director, and formerly the eCampaign Coordinator. It is now under control of another individual.

Personnel
From the Our Country Deserves Better website:
 * Howard Kaloogian - Co-Chairman
 * Amy Kremer - Chairman of the Tea Party Express
 * Sal Russo - Chief Strategist
 * Lloyd Marcus - Spokesperson
 * Joe Wierzbicki - PAC Coordinator
 * Tiffiny Ruegner - Director, Field Operations
 * Levi Russell - Communications Director
 * Betty Presley - Treasurer

Former staff:
 * Mark Williams - Spokesperson and Chairman of the Tea Party Express
 * Kelly S. Eustis - Political Director / eCampaign Coordinator
 * Deborah Johns - Spokesperson and Vice Chairman of the Tea Party Express

Contact information
Our Country Deserves Better PAC 8795 Folsom Blvd, Suite 103 Sacramento, CA 95826

Website: http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Barack Obama
 * Eusatrix Corporation
 * Move America Forward
 * Political action committee
 * Russo Marsh & Rogers
 * Sarah Palin
 * National Republican Trust PAC

External articles

 * Bill Berkowitz, "PAC man: Our Country Deserves Better PAC aims to 'define' Obama's 'weaknesses' and make him 'an unacceptable choice to serve as our nation's next president and Commander in Chief'," MediaTransparency.org, September 26, 2008.
 * "Echoing smear emails, Halperin falsely suggested video shows Obama during 'pledge of allegiance'," Media Matters "County Fair" blog, October 15, 2008.
 * Ed O'Keefe, "Conservative PAC Targets Michigan with Inflammatory Obama Ad," Washington Post blog "The Trail," October 15, 2008.
 * Mary Gilbert, "PAC Evokes Hamas & Wright In Obama Attack," National Journal Ad Spotlight, October 15, 2008.
 * Dan Morain, "Attack ad seeks to link Obama to his former pastor: The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. is heard denouncing the U.S. in the campaign ad, created by three conservative Californians," Los Angeles Times, October 15, 2008.
 * Mary Gilbert, "Conservative PAC Picks Up Slack In Michigan," National Journal Ad Spotlight, October 22, 2008.
 * "Stop-Obama tour hits UP: 'Our Country Deserves Better' group is touring the nation," WLUC TV 6 (Negaunee, Michigan), October 23, 2008.
 * Nikki Younk, "GOP campaign stops in IM," The Daily News (Iron Mountain, Michigan), October 24, 2008.
 * Cathleen, "'Our Country Deserves Better' PAC Stealing Copyrighted Images," WizardKitten blog, October 25, 2008.
 * Stephenie Koehn, "'Stop Obama' bus rolls through Livingston County," The Ann Arbor News (Michigan), October 26, 2008.
 * Kristin Longley, "Republicans may be less visible, but remain determined in final days leading up to election," The Flint Journal (Michigan), October 27, 2008.
 * Dan Morain, "Update: John McCain packed up and left Michigan but Barack Obama still faces opposition there," Los Angeles Times blog "Top of the Ticket," October 27, 2008.
 * "Nine days away, presidential candidate not giving up Saginaw willingly," The Saginaw News (Michigan), October 27, 2008.
 * Kristin Longley, "John McCain's 'Stop Obama Tour' to make stop in Grand Blanc today," The Flint Journal (Michigan), October 27, 2008.
 * Barrie Barber, "Supporters rally for both parties," The Saginaw News (Michigan), October 28, 2008.
 * Nick Schirripa, "Campaign isn't over," The Battle Creek Enquirer (Michigan), October 28, 2008.
 * Mary Gilbert, "Wright Appears In Late Third-Party Attack," NationalJournal.com "Ad Spotlight," October 28, 2008.
 * Jonathan Oosting, "McCain getting help in Michigan from California-based group," MLive.com, October 28, 2008.
 * Bill Berkowitz, "Our country deserves better than the Our Country Deserves Better PAC's 'Stop Obama Tour'," Buzzflash.com, October 28, 2008.
 * Diane Farsetta, "Our Country Deserves Better: The Russo Marsh Crowd Bashes Obama from Coast to Coast," PR Watch, October 28, 2008.
 * Sam Stein, "At An Anti-Obama Presser Where No Attack Is Deemed Outrageous," Huffington Post, October 29, 2008.
 * Jonathan Stein, "Conservative PAC Holds Press Conference, Accuses Obama of Everything Ever," Mother Jones blog, October 29, 2008.
 * R.V. Scheide, "Hey, switch-hitters! The Republican Party is going down in flames, but it’s not too late to join the winning side," Sacramento News & Review, October 30, 2008.
 * Mary Gilbert, "Conservative PAC Belittles Obama's Foreign Policy Creds," NationalJournal.com "Ad Spotlight," October 30, 2008.
 * Steven Harmon, "California group goes after Obama in battleground states," Contra Costa Times (California), October 30, 2008.
 * Stephenie Koehn, "Anti-Obama bus rolls into Brighton," The Ann Arbor News (Michigan), October 31, 2008.
 * "Statement on Thanksgiving Ad Campaign Honoring Gov. Sarah Palin," NewsBlaze, November 12, 2008.
 * "Argyle GOP activist helping boost Palin profile," The Post-Star blog "All Politics Is Local" (Glens Falls, New York), November 12, 2008.
 * Tony Allen-Mills, "Sarah Palin's failure set to reap her $7m book deal," The Sunday Times (UK), November 16, 2008.
 * Mary Gilbert, "Conservative PAC Thanks Palin In TV Ads: Our Country Deserves Better Offers Gratitude To Alaska Governor In Thanksgiving Day Blitz," National Journal, November 26, 2008.
 * Kyle Hopkins, "'Palin mania' continues, with fans and foes gearing up," Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), November 30, 2008.
 * Melanie, "Why Didn't Deborah Johns Scream When Neil Cavuto Said Her Son Died in Iraq, When he Didn't?," News Hounds, December 1, 2008.
 * Logan Jenkins, "Local conservative pops up in daffy Palin ad," San Diego Union-Tribune (California), December 1, 2008.
 * Steven Ertelt, "Group Wants Pro-Abortion Rahm Emanuel to Resign in Obama Seat Scandal," LifeNews.com, December 28, 2008.
 * "Obama Honeymoon Over: Conservative Group Unveils TV Ad Against Obama At Inauguration," NewsBlaze, January 17, 2009.
 * "Orlando Tea Party - March 21, 2009 - (Our Own) Lloyd Marcus to Sing," Republican Club of SW Volusia, FL. blog, February 25, 2009.
 * Jimmy Vielkind, "Pro-Palin PAC Attacks Murphy For Stimulus Support," PolitickerNY.com, March 5, 2009.
 * T.J. Raphael, "Conservative PAC comes out swinging in round two," Legislative Gazette (Albany, New York), March 16, 2009.
 * Brian Tumulty, "Outside money pours into House race," The Ithaca Journal (New York), March 18, 2009.
 * Roger Green, "Conservative PAC Mailings and the 20th CD Race," Times Union (Albany, New York) blog "Information Without The Bun," March 20, 2009.
 * Salena Zito, "Tea parties Get A Theme Song," The Post Chronicle (Denville, New Jersey), March 28, 2009.
 * "NAACPC President, Lloyd Marcus, Participates in Historic Meeting with Chairman of the RNC, Michael Steele," Republican Club of SW Volusia, FL, April 2, 2009. (NAACPC is the "National Association for the Advancement of Conservative People of Color.")
 * David Jacobs, "Conservative group launches anti-Reid campaign in Nevada," Reno Gazette-Journal (Nevada), May 25, 2009.
 * Martin Kady II, "Republicans invoke Ronald Reagan to fight Harry Reid," Politico.com, May 26, 2009.
 * Amanda Grace Johnson, "Independent GOP groups getting early start," The Hill, May 26, 2009.
 * Molly Ball, "Reid just irks Nevada GOP: PAC raises more, but few dollars to defeat senator," Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 8, 2009.
 * Ron Moore, "New ad campaign to launch July 7 calling Obama proposals 'exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany'," Examiner.com, July 1, 2009.
 * "Not about 'parties or politics'? Fox News promotes anti-Dem 'Tea Party Express'," MediaMatters.org, July 29, 2009.
 * Donald Lambro, "Obama health plans revive tea parties," The Washington Times, August 11, 2009.
 * "Fox News hosts birther Mark Williams to promote 'how you can join' anti-Dem Tea Party Express," Media Matters for America, August 19, 2009.
 * "Come hear Lloyd Marcus -- and bring a tea bag," Orlando Sentinel (Florida), August 19, 2009.
 * Lloyd Marcus, "You're A Racist! The Ultimate Emotional Intimidation," American Thinker, August 20, 2009.
 * Lenita Powers, "Tea Party Express visits Sparks," Reno Gazette Journal (Nevada), August 28, 2009.
 * "Fox News "hops" aboard Tea Party Express with rampant promotions, live coverage," Media Matters for America, August 28, 2009.
 * Jim Spellman, "Tea Party Express cruises through Nevada," CNN blogs, August 30, 2009.
 * Jeff Brady, "California PAC Sponsors 'Tea Party Express'," NPR's "Morning Edition," August 31, 2009.
 * Lisa Mascaro and Michael Mishak, "Grass roots or not, Nevada tea parties had assist: Conservative activists stop in Las Vegas along cross-country tour," Las Vegas Sun, September 1, 2009.
 * Rudy Herndon, "Ely goes to a tea party," Ely Times (White Pine County, Nevada), September 2, 2009.
 * Tom Kacich, "Tea-party tour will make stop in Bloomington," The News-Gazette (Champaign, Illinois), September 2, 2009