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Astroturf Axelrod?

You've probably never heard of ASK Public Strategies. It is the highly secretive, private sector-focused twin to David Alexrod's political consulting firm AKP&D Message & Media. Axelrod, of course, is Barack Obama's chief strategist. Through ASK, Axelrod "discreetly plots strategy and advertising campaigns for corporate clients to tilt public opinion their way," according to a new BusinessWeek investigation.

Lots of political consultants do private sector work. Hillary Clinton's top strategist, Mark Penn, is worldwide CEO of a massive PR firm called Burson-Marsteller which is infamous for working with nasty corporate clients (Blackwater, for example) and for pioneering the use of "pseudo-grassroots front groups, known as "astroturfing," according to a 2007 Nation article.

Looks like astroturfing is Axelrod's stock-in-trade, too. According to BusinessWeek, here's a description of the work his company has done for electrical company ComEd:

The Chicago-based utility says ASK has been an adviser since at least 2002. ASK's workload picked up in 2005, as the Exelon subsidiary was nearing the end of a 10-year rate freeze and preparing to ask state regulators for higher electricity prices. Based on ASK's advice, ComEd formed Consumers Organized for Reliable Electricity (CORE) to win support.

One TV commercial, penned by ASK, warned of a ComEd bankruptcy and blackouts without a rate hike: "A few years ago, California politicians seized control of electric rates. They held rates down, but the true cost of energy kept rising. Soon the electric company went bust; the lights went out. Consumers had to pay for the mess. Now, some people in Illinois are playing the same game." CORE, which describes itself on its Web site as "a coalition of individuals, businesses and organizations," was identified as the ad's sponsor. After a complaint was filed with state regulators, ComEd acknowledged that it had bankrolled the entire $15 million effort.

And does all this touch Obama? It does. According to the article, "Illinois employees of the utility and its parent, Exelon, have contributed $181,711 to Obama's presidential bid—more than workers at any other company in the state."

Comments

Funny that the ad didn't mention the bust "electric company"'s name. Probably wouldn't have tugged on the ol' heart strings so much.

Posted by: Bacon on 03/26/08 at 12:18 PM Respond

It's important for voters to be aware of the advertising campaigns and to respond cool-headedly, analytically, responsibly. One of the best antidotes to the campaigns is to look at the records of the candidates. But -- in this case -- it might also be wise to look into the record of Axelrod's other client, Massachusetts Governor Patrick. Compare the 2006 rhetoric with the record since his election.

Posted by: kathy giannini on 03/26/08 at 12:21 PM Respond

Of course, those early contributions have been absolutely dwarfed by the small donations of over a million middle class supporters. When it comes to getting reelected, Obama will just need to setup a website again and poof, the money will appear so long as he has pleased middle class America.

Posted by: kimbiaje on 03/26/08 at 7:44 PM Respond

Perhaps besides requiring advertisers to reveal the name of their newly made up astroturf group, the ads should include anyone who has provided more than 5% of the funding. At least corporate special interests will have to go to more work to hide their involvement.

Posted by: Eric Ferguson on 03/27/08 at 1:06 PM Respond

Makes sense, the Obama campaign is the perfect Astro Turf campaign. Artificial candidate and artificial grass rootiness.

Posted by: stellaaa on 03/28/08 at 9:38 AM Respond

I'm curious to find out who Stella is supporting. I hope HRC does not cross thy tounge. There's no green grass "roots" to be found on that side either. So what do we do?

Posted by: Tom Paine on 03/30/08 at 9:38 AM Respond