Stimulus funds spent to air pro-Obama ads during Olbermann, Maddow shows

The Washington Times ^ | August 21, 2012 | Jim McElhatton

[jazusamo]

The Labor Department paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal stimulus funds to a public relations firm to run more than 100 commercials touting the Obama administration’s “green training” job efforts on two popular MSNBC cable shows, records show.

The commercials ran on MSNBC on shows hosted by Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann in 2009, but the contract didn’t report any jobs created, according to records recently reviewed by The Washington Times.

Spending reports under the federal Recovery Act show $495,000 paid to McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations LLC, which the Labor Department hired to raise awareness “among employers and influencers about the [Job Corps] program’s existing and new training initiatives in high growth and environmentally friendly career areas” as well as spreading the word to prospective Job Corps enrollees.

Ultimately, the firm negotiated ad buys for “two approved spots” airing 14 times per week for two months on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and “The Rachel Maddow Show,” according to a project report, which listed the number zero under a section of the report asking how many jobs had been created through the stimulus contract.

David Williams, president of the nonprofit watchdog Taxpayers Protection Alliance, called the contract “questionable” because it created no jobs and because of the placement of the ads on shows viewed as friendly to the administration’s policies.

“Hiring a PR firm does not create jobs and this was obviously meant for selling a particular political agenda,” Mr. Williams said. “The placement really reeks of a political ad rather than a job ad, and taxpayers see through this.

[jazusamo]

the two MSNBC shows — Mr. Olbermann is no longer with the network — were twice as effective as compared to running ads on Mr. King’s show,

WOW, being that stimulus money produced ZERO jobs it's good they didn't run the ads on Larry King's show, we may have lost jobs. /sarc

[NormsRevenge]

oberdork & madcow.. sounds like a PR firm

[jazusamo]

LOL!

Sure does and they compliment each other.

[Craftmore]

Have you tried to use you tube lately? it forces you to watch Obama ads before every video.

[jazusamo]

No, I haven’t but not too surprised, you tube probably gives his campaign a huge discount.

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks jazusamo.

[blueunicorn6]

Just part of THE BIG DEMOCRAT MONEY MAKING MACHINE!!!

[mfish13]

Is this illegal?

[jazusamo]

I honestly don't know the details of this versus the funds spent on promotions when Bush was president mentioned in the article.

It's pretty clear that Obama gives not a whit about “legal” on anything since he took office.

[Beave Meister]

It just blows me away the hypocrisy and how MSNBC basically accuses Fox of everything they do.

[GOPJ]

Taxpayers Protection Alliance, called the contract “questionable” because it created no jobs and because of the placement of the ads on shows viewed as friendly to the administration’s policies. “Hiring a PR firm does not create jobs and this was obviously meant for selling a particular political agenda,”

Dems see all taxpayer money as their personal slush fund. Odd the MSNBC didn't 'catch' this... since they were in on the scam.

[GOPJ]

Taxpayers Protection Alliance, called the contract “questionable” because it created no jobs and because of the placement of the ads on shows viewed as friendly to the administration’s policies. “Hiring a PR firm does not create jobs and this was obviously meant for selling a particular political agenda,”

Dems see most taxpayer money as their personal slush fund. Odd MSNBC didn't 'catch' this... since they were in on the scam.