Memo To Stryker Adviser Outlines $11.7M 527 Anti-GOP Campaign

A secret memo to an aide of major Democratic donor Pat Stryker suggests dumping almost $12 million into federal and state Democratic campaigns this year, the Rocky Mountain News is reporting.

The memo, sent from consultant Dominic DelPapa to Al Yates, an adviser to Stryker, outlines a $11.7 million media strategy in which 527 groups would buy TV ads, radio time and mailers on behalf of Democratic presidential, Senate, and 4th Congressional candidates, the Rocky reported.

That includes a proposed $1.9 million ad campaign in March and April against GOP U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer; "Define Schaffer/Foot on Throat," the memo read, according to the Rocky article.

Another $2.6 million would go to help Democrat Betsy Markey defeat U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) in CD-4, the article stated.

The memo did not state where the money would come from. DelPapa told the Rocky the memo was very prelimimary and offers no "specific plans or strategies."

Together with Denver philanthropist Tim Gill, Stryker, a Fort Collins heiress, spent a combined $7.46 million in 2006 to benefit Democratic candidates, the article stated. 

State GOP Chair Dick Wadhams blasted the proposal as "character assassination" and demanded Democrats reveal their donors immediately, according to the article.

Democrats fired back that such statements were hypocritical, as Schaffer has served on the board of several 527s, the article stated.