Now Running On CNN

Karl Rove's astroturf group American Crossroads has been running the below anti-union ad for about a week. Note the clever way they excise the speech of an NEA spokesman.

WISCONSIN: Blogger Claims To Have Called Gov While Posing As David Koch

Mother Jones reports that New York-based journalist/blogger Ian Murphy claims to have had a 20-minute phone conversation with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker while posing as billionaire Tea Party kingpin David Koch. The Koch brothers were major backers of Walker's campaign and are known to have donated millions to astroturf groups posing as ordinary citizens.

According to the audio, Walker told him:
* That statehouse GOPers were plotting to hold Democratic senators' pay until they returned to vote on the controversial union-busting bill.
* That Walker was looking to nail Dems on ethics violations if they took meals or lodging from union supporters.
* That he'd take "Koch" up on this offer: "Once you crush these bastards I'll fly you out to Cali and really show you a good time."

Mother Jones isn't 100% convinced this is real, but most are saying that the voice on the tape does sound like Walker.


(Tipped by JMG reader Birdie)

WISCONSIN: Billionaire Teabagger Koch Brothers Behind Union Busting

Rachel Maddow: Tea Party Express Is A Secret GOP-Funded Astroturf Group

And she hands CNN their heads for airing Bachmann's speech.