A San Francisco phone company that spent the last two years decrying the rise of Super PACs now has one of its own and plans to use millions of dollars to target Tea Party members of Congress.
CredoMobile, a San Francisco phone company that has donated $75 million to liberal causes since 1985, has led protests against the unlimited campaign contributions permitted by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
But the group caved to the pressure from its members and has formed the Credo Super PAC.
"If we decided to sit this out and be purists on this thing, it wouldn't change a thing other than help the other side," Credo political director Becky Bond told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Bond said the PAC plans to raise $3 million to unseat 10 Tea Party Republican freshmen in Congress. It’s already raised more than half a million dollars.
The announcement comes on the heels of a similar about-face from President Obama, who recently gave his blessing to Super PACS supporting his re-election campaign.
In his 2010 State of the Union speech, Obama had a very different message. "I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests," he said.
According to the Chronicle, Credo’s list of Tea Party targets includes GOP freshmen Reps. Chip Cravaack of Minnesota, Sean Duffy of Wisconsin, Frank Guinta of New Hampshire, Joe Walsh of Illinois, and Allen West of Florida. It also includes Rep. Steve King (R, Iowa), a five-term congressman who is facing re-election in a newly drawn district that is not as conservative. Credo also will likely add a California race to its target list.