Why the Smear Tactics and Corporate Attacks against Betsy Butler?

By Betsy Butler

Big oil, insurance and tobacco interests launch smear campaign against Betsy Butler in AD 53.

Begin with $147,000 expenditure targeting strong consumer and environmental champion Betsy Butler

These corporate interests are led by the Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC), a coalition of large businesses working to deny consumers and workers their right to seek legal remedy against corporate misdeeds.

Corporations on the Board of CJAC include Chevron, Anthem Blue Cross, AIG, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, Shell Oil, British Petroleum and Altria.

Over the last couple of days corporate PAC Independent Expenditures totaling $147,224 have been filed in opposition to Betsy Butler. Their expenditures have been for polling, opposition research, campaign consulting and cable TV time and production.

Also involved is an affiliated group, the California Alliance for Patients Protection, a coalition of large insurance companies.

"Why have these corporate interests picked Betsy Butler to be the target of their smear campaign?," asked Butler's consultant Parke Skelton. "Maybe it has something to do with her proven leadership on consumer protection and environmental issues."

"CJAC has hired an `opposition research' firm in an effort to dig up dirt," continued Skelton. "Voters should brace themselves for a blizzard of untruthful and negative mail and TV."

CJAC brags in their promotional materials that they spent over $2 million in the 2008 election cycle in efforts to defeat pro-consumer candidates for California state legislature.