Lobbying

Corporate America's Trojan Horse In The States

Submitted by Laura Miller on

In a new report, Defenders of Wildlife and the Natural Resources Defense Council examine the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). "While ALEC purports to be a 'good-government' group operating in the public interest, its sole mission is to advance special-interest legislation across the nation on behalf of its corporate sponsors and funders," the report says. "The organization's behind-the-scenes advocacy has been surprisingly effective -- leading, according to ALEC material, to the enactment of more than 450 state laws during the 1999 and 2000 state legislative sessions.

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Main Source: 
Defenders of Wildlife & Natural Resources Defense Council
Topics: 
Right Wing
Corporations
Lobbying

Memo Reveals Ralph Reed's PR / Lobby Plan for Enron

Submitted by John Stauber on

"Just before the last presidential election, Bush campaign adviser Ralph Reed offered to help Enron Corp. deregulate the electricity industry by working his 'good friends' in Washington and by mobilizing religious leaders and pro-family groups for the cause. For a $380,000 fee, the conservative political strategist proposed a broad lobbying strategy that included using major campaign contributors, conservative talk shows and nonprofits to press Congress for favorable legislation.

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Main Source: 
Washington Post, February 17, 2002
Topics: 
Corporations
Lobbying
Public Relations

Enron Lobbyist Strategized Against Democrats

Submitted by Laura Miller on

"While the Bush administration was drafting its national energy policy, a leading lobbyist for Enron Corp. was plotting strategy to turn the plan into a political weapon against Democrats, according to a newly obtained memo," the Los Angeles Times writes. Washington-based lobbyist Edward Gillespie of Quinn Gillespie & Associates in a confidential April 2001 memo to energy companies and industry groups offered advise on how to paint a dour pictures of the Democrats and their energy policy.

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Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, February 11, 2002
Topics: 
Corporations
Lobbying
Politics

Enron's "Matrix"

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

"They called it 'the matrix,' " writes Washington Post reporter Joe Stevens, "a computer program that brought a scientific dimension to Enron's effort to seduce politicians and sway bureaucrats. With each proposed change in federal regulations, lobbyists punched details into a computer, allowing Enron economists in Houston to calculate just how much a rule change would cost.

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Main Source: 
Washington Post, February 10, 2002
Topics: 
Corporations
Lobbying

Tobacco Lobbyist Talks Turkey, Shoots Messengers

Submitted by John Stauber on

A food industry website reports that lobbyist Rick Berman addressed Tuesday's annual meeting of the National Turkey Association. "What many of you don't understand is just how many different ways this industry is being attacked by groups. They are coming at you all from the animal rights side, as well as biotechnology, antibiotics hysteria, anti-corporate, labor and the factory farms angle. ...

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Main Source: 
www.meatingplace.com
Topics: 
Agriculture
Food Safety
Animal Rights
Genetic Engineering
Lobbying
Tobacco

Afghan Warlord General Dostum Hires Washington Representation

Submitted by Laura Miller on

"Afghanistan's Northern Alliance Junbish Party is using Philip S. Smith & Associates, Washington, D.C., to make sure it plays a leading role in the post-Taliban government," O'Dwyer's PR Daily writes. "Smith is a former Asia policy advisor for the House Republican Research Committee and senior legislative assistant to Rep. Don Ritter (R-Pa). He reports to Gen. Rashid Dostum, a former Communist who switched sides and fought the Soviet Union after it invaded Afghanistan. Dostum is the former warlord who controlled the key Afghanistan city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

No
Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, January 17, 2002
Topics: 
Lobbying
War / Peace

Oil PR/Lobby Campaign Seeks to Un-Demonize Libya

Submitted by John Stauber on

The Wall Street Journal reports that, " Libya's Col. Moammar Gadhafi, is attempting a rehabilitation. Top U.S. and Libyan officials have held several unpublicized meetings in England and Switzerland in recent years to discuss improving ties. Public-relations campaigns and lobbying efforts on Libya's behalf are under way, funded in part by oil money and driven by a desire to cash in on future deals or resume business interrupted by sanctions. ... The four American oil companies that were forced by U.S. sanctions to suspend operations in Libya ... are eager to return to Libya.

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Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal
Topics: 
Terrorism
Corporations
Lobbying

Enron Scandal Has Andersen Recruiting PR, Lobbyists

Submitted by Laura Miller on

PR trade publication The Holmes Report writes: "Accounting giant Andersen--the former Arthur Andersen--is reportedly looking to recruit crisis management and other communications experts as it faces mounting criticism for its role in the collapse of Enron." Anderson has already hired the Virginia-based firm Hartz Consulting and retains Ketchum as its PR agency of record. But the company is expected to enlist more PR consultants as it faces Congressional investigations, a federal criminal inquiry and lawsuits from shareholders.

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Main Source: 
The Holmes Report, January 14, 2002; PR Week, January 14, 2002
Topics: 
Crisis Management
Corporations
Lobbying

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