Corbett attacked in new anonymous ad

A mostly anonymous non profit is back with another ad attacking Gov. Tom Corbett, this time over his appointment of a coal industry exec (and GOP funder) to head the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Starts the ad:

Our eyes are wide-open, Governor Corbett.

We saw you take money from a former coal executive whose company polluted our drinking water. And then we watched you appoint him to a position that polices environmental permits.

The spot from Democratic consultant Bud Jackson is set to run through the rest of the week. In a statement released with the ad Jackson criticizes Corbett for appointing Walker and other contributors to state positions:

"The perception is pay to play with some of these appointments," said AWF Action Fund chair, Bud Jackson. "How could it not be? You give his campaign over $100,000 and – poof! – you are a former executive for a company widely reported as a polluter and now you are in charge of environmental permits for the entire state. Alan Walker's appointment wasn't an isolated incident. Corbett has established a record or rewarding donors and cronies. It's time to shine the light on it."

But Jackson himself still will not shine a light on who is funding his ad campaign. "Social welfare" 501c(4) non profits can run political education ads under IRS rules while keeping their funders anonymous, and the only known person besides Jackson involved in his American Working Families fund is fellow Democratic strategist John Balduzzi.

How can a related fund that had only $118 (yes, one hundred and eighteen) in its coffers as of April 15 (according to Open Secrets) pay for "several hundred thousand dollars" worth of advertising two years before Corbett faces reelection? Welcome to the Wild West of campaign advertising circa 2012.