American Family Voices

American Family Voices (AFV) "is an organization that invests in strategic messaging and research projects that help build a communications echo chamber for our side.

"AFV serves as an umbrella group that helps fund a broad network of organizations – including civil rights, environmental, women’s rights, consumer advocacy and health care organizations, and multi-issue think tanks – and build their infrastructure, both in the field and in communications."

Directors

 * Mike Lux, President
 * Amy Pritchard, Secretary-Treasurer
 * Phyllis Cuttino
 * Bernard Craighead
 * Leo Hindery, Jr.
 * Victoria Duffy Hopper
 * Joe Velasquez
 * David Wilhelm

Contact

 * Web: http://www.americanfamilyvoices.org

Connection with Campaign to Defend America
In March, 2008, the Center for Investigative Reporting noted that "A political organization financed by film producer Steve Bing has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to a liberal group running attack ads against Republican presidential candidate John McCain. American Family Voices Voters’ Alliance gave $300,000 to the Campaign to Defend America last November, according to government filings. The Campaign to Defend America aired ads last month calling McCain the “McSame” as President Bush.  ...   American Family Voices, which ran controversial automated telephone calls to voters in 2006, is headed by Mike Lux, a former aide to President Bill Clinton.  Before contributing to the Campaign to Defend America, American Family Voices received $600,000 from liberal mega-donor Bing. Bing gave millions to pro-Democrat groups in the 2004 election cycle, and is currently a bundler for Sen. Hillary Clinton, raising at least $100,000 for her presidential campaign. Bing is also known for his playboy reputation, including a paternity dispute with actress Elizabeth Hurley. []

Resources and articles

 * Will Evans, More details on anti-McCain group, CIR blog, March 10, 2008