American Conservative Union Responds To Politico's Pay-For-Play Story

The American Conservative Union has sent out a press release today addressing Politico's story from this morning alleging a pay-for-play scheme between the ACU and FedEx for a reported 2 to 3 mil in exchange for the group's endorsement.

The accusation:

For the $2 million plus, ACU offered a range of services that included: "Producing op-eds and articles written by ACU's Chairman David Keene and/or other members of the ACU's board of directors . (Note that Mr. Keene writes a weekly column that appears in The Hill.)"

The conservative group's remarkable demand -- black-and-white proof of the longtime Washington practice known as "pay for play" -- was contained in a private letter to FedEx , which was provided to POLITICO.

And the group's response:

An article containing a false headline has been published by Capitol Hill newspaper Politico today regarding an issue with expansion of the National Labor Relations Board.

This article concerns two letters; one issued by ACU and another issued by a separate organization.

Mr. David Keene's name was on a letter prepared by another organization. This was a personal decision on his part and he was not representing ACU at the time. No permission was given by ACU, and no logo was provided by ACU, to the organization who issued the letter in question.

ACU's policy position on this issue has not changed and it will not change.

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ACU's positions on important policy issues have never been for sale.

ACU does not support moving businesses under the jurisdiction of the NLRB or expanding the federal government's power, reach or authority under the NLRB.

In fact, as we pointed out last year when auto bailouts were first proposed, the actions of organized labor in Detroit helped lead to a downfall of America's storied auto industry. This is a clear example of what can happen when organized labor extends its fingers too far into American business.

In this regard, ACU stands with the policy that FedEx should not be placed under the NLRB.

This was ACU policy - before and after - any letters in question were drafted.

No contributions, to date, regarding this issue have been given or promised to ACU from any organization mentioned in the Politico article.

Comments

[macohmz]

Piss on conservatism.

[AverageJoeLE]

As a conservative, it kills me to see how the American Conservative Union is totally a sellout. But evidently, this sort of phoniness has been going on for a while. A writer, "JFK" wrote an article I saw last night about his time working at ACU and how they often changed their position to match a crowd: http://bit.ly/s1ojC . This seems like the next logical step.

[jalowe1957]

No matter how hard they try to deny the undeniable, the undeniable is out there for the world to see.

The American Conservative Union is no better than the Washington Post in lowering themselves to the level of bordellos and streetwalkers.

And now this message from AshleyMadison.com...when divorce is not an option.

[S1m0n]

I'm seeing a non-denial denial.

[Westof405]

The NLRB is one of the few barriers between workers and hired goons supported by organizations like the ACU that are anti-union. Without government oversight, workers would face constant intimidation, abuse and threats of firing if they tried to organize for fair wages.

The idea that GM failed because of the unions is ridiculous. If GM was building cars people wanted and if people made enough money to buy them, it wouldn't have failed.

After Goldman Sachs is done passing out multimillion dollar bonuses, how many GM cars do you think these millionaires will be buying? My guess is ZERO. GM makes cars for the middle class and once Wall Street gets done destroying the middle class, no wonder GM goes under.

[Alvin4NY]

Heidi Fleiss should get a job working for politicians. She plays the same game they do, only she got punished for it.

[chewmin68]

Again, union bashing comments. What a lousy country. The corporatists win. This group makes me sick. Pay for play. That is what the wealth base has brought about, and it is so indisious now that the majority of Americans have to sit back and take it. The majority can't pay for play, and that was the idea.

Both parties are bought off. Republicans are now blatant. It makes me sick that my Dad fought in WW2 to produce the corporate goverance we live in now. He and his family got ahead after he came home. And the US has given it all to a few. The working class in this country is 3rd world service, and then we have the real industry: finance. Obama did not help me, nor will either party. Oligarchs have the bucks, they buy the law.

[Artos]

Conservatives, they're all about the money. Give us big bucks and we'll sell you our Grandmothers. That's what we have come to expect from these A holes.

[IbeHappy]

That's because they were fees, not contributions.

[WoodyCPM]

Pack of lie told by a pack of lying liars.

[Lakeview Greg]

They are almost as good at splitting hairs as Roland Burris. Almost. They got caught and now they are squirming.

Good.