Why Is A "Progressive" Lobbying for Comcast?

    Here’s a bit of a surprising revelation—though maybe it’s naïve to label any strange/perplexing bedfellows story as surprising in the world of politics. There’s an organization called the New Democratic Network (NDN)—it’s website says it “works with other allied groups to build a strong, vibrant and powerful progressive politics capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.” A lot of people have appointed themselves as the ones who can lead us out of the wilderness—and I am immediately skeptical of most, particularly ones who are simply political machine operatives who have never gotten their hands dirty in organizing workers or real people.

    Its executive director, Simon Rosenberg, has been a bit of a favorite out there in the liberal/progressive blogosphere, though it’s not clear if anyone outside the blogosphere has ever heard of the guy. In fact, it was the liberal/progressive blogosphere that was his primary advocate during his run to become chair of the Democratic Party. Never met or heard the guy speak so I’ve got no axe to grind here.

    But, the other day, my pal, Dan Carol (an original thinker and strategist, who can be read at Kumbaya Dammit), passed along this: a few months ago, it appears that Simon sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting Comcast’s bid (in partnership with Time Warner) to buy Adelphi. Typically, when you read a letter like this you assume that the writer is either being paid by the beneficiary or that he’s angling for some high-priced lobbying gigs. And, let me tell, ‘dem roads are definitely paved with gold. And if that’s Rosenberg’s deal, he’s got every right to pursue his career.

    But, a “progressive” lobbying on behalf of Big Cable? Or having the chutzpah to lobby for Comcast AND hold a conference entitled “Developing Progressive Media and Creating a Progressive Media Marketplace”—just a few weeks before sending the letter? Though I’m wondering whether the word “progressive” has any particular meaning if an organization like NDN calls itself progressive and has on its advisory board such well-known progressives as Dave McCurdy, former Democratic Leadership Council Chairman (who is now head of the Electronics Industries Alliance and was one of the sponsors of the pro-business fundraiser for the CAFTA 15) and Mack McLarty, former Clinton White House Chief of Staff and an avid lobbyist who, after leaving the White House, partnered up with Henry Kissinger (another well-known progressive).

    Just so you know, Comcast is a virulently anti-union company. As the Communications Workers of America reports, “Thousands of cable TV workers have, historically, battled an entire industry that has sought to avoid unionization. That continues today at Comcast: with 24 million subscribers nationwide, the largest and clearly the most anti-union cable provider.” During organizing drives, “Comcast uses highly paid union-busting law firms to advise management and discourage workers…”

    As for the corruptive influence of Comcast, it’s been an equal opportunity dispenser of cash: in 2004, it gave more than $1.3 million, equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics; in the current cycle, it’s almost $180,000 in contributions is trending more towards Republicans but it’s still early. It’s been the top corporate contributor in the cable TV biz.

    And the company is also pulling out the stops, by lobbying at the state level, to stop cities like Philadelphia from providing cheaper access to wireless Internet. So, I’d wonder what the liberal/progressive blogosphere, which presumably would endorse more access to the Internet, thinks about Rosenberg’s support for Comcast?

    Looking at the list of the board of the New Politics Institute, the think-tank associated with the NDN, I wonder whether they have any inkling about Simon’s advocacy for a company that is trying to destroy the very nature of the Internet and has such a woeful record on unions. Like Joe Trippi, who has been a proselytizer for the future of the Internet as a decentralized political tool—the very network companies like Comcast are trying to control. If you know any of these folks, drop them a note and ask what they know about the shilling for Comcast.

    Maybe some of Simon’s advocates should take a look at what he’s up to—and at least ask him some questions. Until, then, a big question mark goes next to Mr. Rosenberg’s name as anyone claiming to speak for “progressives.”

Comments

[Leighton Woodhouse]

This shouldn't be all that surprising. Simon Rosenberg and NDN used to be closely affiliated with Al From and the DLC. Both prided themselves on their centrist, "pragmatic" approach to Democratic politics; both shunned the Democratic Party's reliance on organized labor and identity group politics, which in their view was costing it election after election; both championed pro-business Clintonomics. The break came around the time of the Dean race, I believe, when Rosenberg, to his credit, recognized that the political landscape had changed since the 1990s, and that the "Third Way" was no longer a viable strategy, whereas the DLC had by that time become so fixated on what was supposed to be a pragmatic approach to elections that it had now transformed itself in their minds into a centrist variant upon the very kind of ideological fantaticism that they claimed to disparage. Anyway, if it wouldn't surprise you to learn that top DLC brass take occasional corporate lobbying bids, it probably shouldn't be shocking to learn that so does the NDN leadership.

[John Halle]

The surprise is that you're suprised, Jonathan.

The Dems have been out front in telecom deregulation as evidenced by the 1996 Telecommunications Act which was shepherded through congress by Cam Kerry, in his capacity as chief lobbyist for the telecom industry with an assist from his brother John in the sentate.

As Leighton points out, this is simply business as usual for a party more or less entirely under the thumb of corporations when it comes to any issue which really matters.

[Tasini]

Folks, understand the literary devices here. Don't be so literal...

[seiugirl]

I seem to remember Andy Stern saying something about putting money into the New Politics Institute - are we aiding and abetting the enemy?

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/051105/tank.html

[Nell Lancaster]

'Progressive' at NDN means just what it means in the name of the DLC's think tank, the 'Progressive' Policy Institute: corporate.

[Steve Early]

Nice work, Jonathan--but, in helpfully highlighting lobbying by Simon Rosenberg and NDN for the union-busting Comcast, haven't you neglected to mention who serves as a member of Simon's "Founding Team" at NDN?

According to the website link you provide, Andy Stern's "assistant for strategic issues and political action" at SEIU--Gina Glantz--is a close associate of Rosenberg's and a member of his board.So the question you might want to ask is why someone who's been "an essential part of the SEIU team, creating new and dynamic ways to grow a modern union"--according to her NDN bio--is also part of a DC lobbying group which is supporting a cable TV merger that labor activists--from CWA,
IBEW, AFL-CIO,etc.--are all opposing at public hearings around the country?
I thought SEIUers were for "upholding industry standards", not undermining them--which is what any aid and comfort to Comcast does!
Steve Early

[John Williams]

Comcast just decerted a 60-worker unit of CWA in my town, Portland Oregon, the dirtbags.

[Ben]

thanks for the insight Steve, your always so clever.

[SEO Services]

I liked your post. Keep posting interesting matters here.

[Sweepstakes]

nice posting about working lifestyle,its informative...keep posting

[Colorado Mortgage]

Comcast executives lobbied the state government for financial assistance to build their new Center City headquarters. Comcast spent more than $5.5 million in campaign contributions since 2006 alone to have their way in
Washington.

[hp laserjet 1020 toner]

Great Post! I love to read articles that are informative and beneficial in nature

[SWEEPSTAKES]

Politics is bigger issue so you explained well

[UppaBaby Vista]

That is something which is beyond my imagination, I would like to get deep down into it now.

[Local classifieds india]

Hi everyone, This page is enjoyable and so is the manner in which the theme was developped. I like some of the comments too although I would prefer we remain on the topic to add value to the point. It will be also encouraging to the person who wrote it if we all could pass it around

[packers and movers Pune]

Hello I found this blog by Google; it’s by this post I found my answer for what I was looking for. Thanks for the great post looking for more quality post.