If you don’t read anything else today (though I hope you do, and hit the tip jar, too!), you should read Michelle Malkin’s column on the King of AstroTurf, David Axelrod. It appears that he’s been using his position in the White House to ensure himself a big, fat payout from a couple companies he used to own.
Astroturf master Axelrod was president and sole shareholder of AKPD from 1985 until last December, when he resigned to take his White House position. His son, Michael, works there. So does former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. Axelrod is prominently featured on AKPD’s website, from a founder’s quote on the front page (“CHANGE IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR”) to the glamorous election night photos of Plouffe and Axelrod with the Obamas. AKPD still consults with Axelrod on “strategy and research” for the Democratic National Committee. The firm owes Axelrod $2 million, due in annual installments of $350,000, $650,000, $400,000 and $600,000.
That Axelrod and his old firm benefit mutually from their respective roles selling Obamacare should be gobsmackingly obvious. Axelrod pushes the White House plan on TV news shows. AKPD derives mega-income from ad contracts selling the White House-endorsed plan. The windfall allows AKPD to settle its debts with Axelrod, whose name, face, and high-powered ties are critical to future wheel-greasing for AKPD — and future salary-earning for Axelrod’s son and close associates.
The let likes throwing around the phrase “corporate shills” to describe people who oppose Obamacare. It seems they have themselves a big ol’ shill problem of their own.
Tags: AstroTurfing, David Axelrod, Michelle Malkin
