Former Christian Coalition [3] leader Ralph Reed [4]'s public affairs firm Century Strategies [5] "has raked in millions of dollars by mounting grassroots lobbying drives" for corporations, Republicans and "controversial lobbyists." Reed is also the Bush campaign [6]'s southeast regional chair; campaign manager Ken Mehlman [7] called Reed "fabulous" for "outreach to the Jewish community, to the African-American community, and to the evangelical community." Reed organized a "pastors' reception [8]" following the Southern Baptist Convention, where ministers "were asked to sign pledges to endorse Bush publicly, to organize a party for the president ... close to Election Day," and other activities. Some conservatives criticize Reed's lobbying for the school-focused media company Channel One, and coordinating with (and perhaps accepting money from) casino lobbyists to block new, competing casinos.