RSS Feed MenuThe Obama Administration continues to give off the appearance of sloppy vetting. The latest incident involves David Axelrod, a senior advisor to President Obama, and his former firm, AKP&D.
Axelrod founded AKP&D, formerly known as Axelrod and Associates, a Chicago-based political consulting firm. Not only David Axelrod, but also his son, Michael and Obama campaign strategist David Plouffe have all worked at AKP&D. After opting to work for the administration, Axelrod sold the company, collecting $2 million over a period of years.
Now AKP&D is handling the public relations campaign for a coalition of groups that support health insurance reform. Part of this coalition is PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; basically, the lobby group for the pharmaceutical companies. Ken Johnson, a senior vice-president at PhRMA, told NewMajority that “we hired a professional campaign team that actually hired these consultants (AKP&D). What they do is make sure the messages are consistent with our beliefs and philosophies.”
The money paid by PhRMA helps to pay the salary of David Axelrod’s son, who remains at the firm. That money also supports Axelrod’s own payout from the firm. A conflict of interest? In strict legal terms, maybe not. However, as with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner’s tax derelictions, this relationship leaves a bad taste behind. When Ken Johnson was asked by NewMajority why AKP&D was chosen as the public relations firm, he responded by admitting “perhaps we should have done our due diligence.”
balconesfault // Aug 20, 2009 at 3:18 pm
How does “That money also support Axelrod’s own payout from the firm”?
It’s contractually owed, notwithstanding any new contracts signed after his departure, no?
If there is some implication anywhere, from a serious source, that the size of Axelrod’s payout from selling his share of the company was due to a pre-arranged deal with any future clients, let’s let all forms of shit hit the fan. But right now, this seems a lot more like lots of shit being thrown at the wall, just to see what sticks.
ottovbvs // Aug 20, 2009 at 6:08 pm
……..is this a snit on an elephants bum or a pimple………I can’t quite decide…….this is what Republican smear looks like…..pathetic on a day when Ridge announces he was pressured to elevate the fear alarm to affect an election outcome…….god these people are scum…..there’s no other word for it
liv&win // Aug 20, 2009 at 7:16 pm
And the shit storm levied at Cheney for Haliburton was what? Justified? Different? Jezzus, liberals are a funny bunch. Do you not think it possible to find another firm unconnected to the administration would be, oh, I don’t know, prudent? With everything going on, just the image problem is a stupid mistake. But I already know you will argue that it is a pimple and not really worth discussing, when you and I both know, if this was a republican issue, you would be screaming foul from the highest rooftops.
jreb // Aug 20, 2009 at 7:21 pm
“I will not for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment participate in
any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substan-
tially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations
and contracts.” Executive Order 13490 of January 21, 2009
sdspringy // Aug 20, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Obama has proved to be a accomplished two faced politican.
Axelrod’s connections may not be criminal are in fact in violation to Obama’s stated ethics. Thanks Jreb. Of cours I am being sarcastic about the ethics.
Throw in Big Pharma which you would think would have their own ad agency but chose to use the offical White House stamped agency.
Throw in the big money move by Soros just days to the 2 billion investment into Brazilian oil and I can see the libs running for the Bush/Cheney file.
Predator strikes, use of wire taps, troop surges, you would think Cheney not Bidden is the VP.