Tomorrow, a sham 527 organization with Bush connections, MoveOnForAmerica.org is planning to start a smear campaign against Kerry. Among other things, the group plans to link Kerry with Hitler, cop killers, and black arsonists.

The head of this group is a DC-based GOP political consultant named Stephen Marks. Info:

Specializing in opposition research and media, Mr. Marks has consulted dozens of candidates at all levels from presidential to congressional, including consulting for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the Republican Governors Association. Mr. Marks has also been a press secretary in GOP campaigns [including Jeb Bush’s bid for governor in 1994], as well as an investigative journalist for such publications as Penthouse and New York Newsday. Mr. Marks also currently hosts The Stephen Marks Show heard weekly on KFNX Radio in Phoenix, and has appeared regularly on TV and radio, including The O’Reilly Factor, and Hannity & Colmes.

This guy has done this before, back in 2000, with the same planned smears against Gore. See this October 20, 2000 CNN story.

Americans Against Hate, a newly formed group run by G.O.P. consultant Stephen Marks, is up in four states with a spot linking Gore with the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton, says the announcer, admires Hitler (flash to photo of the dictator) and defends rapists and cop killers (video of Willie Horton-style mug shots). The ad asks, "Mr. Gore...what kind of unholy alliance will you have with Al Sharpton?"

Right out of the same playbook. Pathetic. There's more about Marks's activities here as well.

This has to be exposed and stopped. As the site says, the first ads will starting airing Tuesday Sept. 7th in D.C. market and in key swing states beginning Monday September 13th. Since it's a 527 not subject to the McCain-Feingold ban during the campaign’s final 60 days), the ads will run non-stop until Election Day.