Rove Constructs 'Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy'

The Republican party's top operatives are quietly building a massive fundraising and organizing machine inspired by the one the Democrats used to sieze Congress and the White House. Headed up by Karl Rove and former party chair Ed Gillespie, the network of five connected groups is modeled after the "Democracy Alliance" the other side set up in 2005—so much so that organizers asked John Podesta for pointers, Politico reports.

“ Karl has always said: People call us a vast right-wing conspiracy, but we're really a half-assed right-wing conspiracy,” said one organizer. “Now, he wants to get more serious.” It's an especially good time for that because the Citizens United ruling has opened the floodgates for corporate cash. “It sent out a message to donors that it's OK to engage again,” says a GOP campaign finance attorney. (More Karl Rove stories.)