DaimlerChrysler Executive Attack on “Conservatives,” Support for Jesse Jackson Stirs Controversy

NATIONAL LEGAL AND POLICY CENTER ^ | 1/21/03 | Contact: David Kendrick

[Behind Liberal Lines]

The following letter was sent today to Chrysler Group President and CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche by Peter Flaherty, president of the National Legal and Policy Center:

The purpose of this letter is two-fold. We ask that remarks attributed to DaimlerChrysler senior vice president Frank Fountain be withdrawn, and that DaimlerChrysler cease financial support for Jesse Jackson and his organizations.

According to CNSNews.com, Fountain stated during Jackson’s Wall Street Conference last week, “Most of [Jackson’s] critics are conservatives. They have a rather myopic view of the world.”

Even more surprising, Fountain allegedly stated, “From my fairly close knowledge of [Jackson’s] operation, they are one of integrity and beyond reproach.”

Fountain may have a myopic view of Jesse Jackson. I have enclosed a copy of a formal Complaint filed by the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on February 28, 2001 against the Citizenship Education Fund (CEF), which organized the Wall Street Conference. It alleges that Jesse Jackson, his family and friends have personally enriched themselves through the operation of a nonprofit organization.

The Complaint is pending. Jackson implicitly acknowledged the validity of at least one count of the Complaint when he amended CEF’s tax returns.

I am happy to report that another foreign carmaker, Toyota, has ceased support for Jackson in apparent response to a similar request I made last year.

In 2002, Toyota was a very visible sponsor of the Wall Street Conference. A Toyota executive gave a keynote speech. Toyota became the target of my criticism in op-eds that were published in newspapers all over the country and in numerous television and radio interviews.

Personal events in 2001 have greatly reduced Jackson’s moral authority as a “civil rights leader” and member of the clergy.

At a September 13, 2002 rally in Washington, DC, Jackson claimed that President Bush wants to “rule the world.”

In a September 16, 2002, speech at Michigan State University, Jackson was dismissive of the Founding Fathers and asserted that American democracy was only 37 years old, not 200-plus. Jackson stated that “democracy as we know it did not begin in Philadelphia, where a bunch of white men wrote the laws.” Jackson identified the advent of American democracy as 1965 when the Voting Rights Act passed.

Fountain reportedly confirmed that DaimlerChrysler had paid a “six-figure sum” to sponsor the Wall Street Conference. Your support for Jackson is inappropriate given his most recent anti-American statements and his long-standing anti-semitism .

I can assure you that political conservatives, who include your shareholders, business partners, employees and customers, are being made aware of Fountain’s deliberate and gratuitous attack on them. I strongly urge you to fulfill my two requests without delay.

[geedee]

The only move that would get a response from this company would be an all out boycott of all their products.

Sign me up!! After recently deciding to boycott all things French and German and all things Looney-Clooney has to do with, my choices are quickly dwindling, but you're right. Hitting these "we are the only enlightened species on Earth" liberals in the pocketbooks is the only language they comprende.

[toddst]

OK, looks like I'm not buying a Jeep anytime in the next thirty years or so..

I never liked Chrysler products, always saw them as running a poor third to GM & Ford. Guess I'll pass on Mercedes too (like I was considering one - not.) I'll keep buying Suburbans as long as GM builds them.

[Poohbah]

You drive the EX50 Suburban Assault Vehicle...

I'll drive my Ford Focus ZX3 Scout/Cavalry Fighting Vehicle.

[paul544]

This sucks too, because I was seriously eyeing one of those Dodge Neon SRT-4's. Oh well, I'll keep looking.

[gramho12]

Thanks for the info. I sent an e-mail several days ago on this very subject.

As a Jeep owner, (my husband and I have owned several), I told them I would not be buying anymore. I also reminded them that my conservative tax dollars helped bail their a## out (didn't use those exact words).

What appalling arrogance!

[HardStarboard]

>>>This sucks too, because I was seriously eyeing one of those Dodge Neon SRT-4's. Oh well, I'll keep looking. <<<

Take a serious look at the Mini Cooper. I just got one and it's one heck of a car: solid, quick and extremely well engineered. Even the lo-end 115hp model is a hoot to drive. The "S" is a real poor-mans Porsche. An absolute hoot to drive.

[Dante3]

Surprisingly it's mainly the big businesses who have been funneling money to Rev. Jesse J. I don't know it someone is getting kickbacks or if it is anti-Semitism or whatever.

January 15th The Washington Times listed 24 corporations including: General Motors ($50,000), Coca Cola ($50,000), AT&T ($300,000), Ameritech ($15,000). Then there was the support from Toyota.

I wonder if any have donated to CORE?

[Eva]

I had already decided never to buy a Mercedes after it was revealed that their public relations department had labelled Israel as Palestine (along with BMW, who corrected the map by just leaving Israel off altogether and making a separate map for Israel. Mercedes answer was that Israelis don't buy their cars, which is true.

[mrustow]

Big businesses are the biggest cowards these days, in matters of race, and they can afford to pay for their cowardice.

[geedee]

...who corrected the map by just leaving Israel off altogether and making a separate map for Israel.

SAY WHAT?????

I don't get out much. I didn't know this. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[Constitution Day]

I'll drive my Ford Focus ZX3 Scout/Cavalry Fighting Vehicle.

LOL!
I bought a 2001 ZX3 to commute to work in, and have been extremely pleased.

Since 2/20/01, I have put over 16000 miles on it.

[G.Mason]

"........ I have been flying the stars and stripes on my home since 9/11. I don't think it will ever come down."

That's two of us!

[Poohbah]

Did you know that some demented fool ingenious entrepeneur has figured out how to stick the 5.0 liter V-8 from the Mustang into the Focus ZX3?

YEE-HAW!

[beachn4fun]

You could still buy the product if you are willing to take the risk (of a Chrysler) just do what some of the others have done - send you thoughts directly to them, via email, snail-mail, or phone. They are more likely to listen to a buyer than someone who never buys Chrysler.

[Eva]

WSJ/Opinion Journal ran articles on the fact that the PR sites for both BMW and Mercedes Benz contained maps of dealships that did not have Israel on them. Instead the area was marked as Palestine. BMW issued an apology and corrected the "error" as stated previously. Mercedes refused to correct it, saying that Jewish people don't buy their cars, but I think they did just delete the whole area from the map. I am not sure, but I remember that Mercedes was much less willing to admit any wrong doing.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

I am happy to report that another foreign carmaker, Toyota, has ceased support for Jackson in apparent response to a similar request I made last year.

Wo Hoo! Can someone verify this? Now I don't have to find another auto company an can continue buying Toyotas!

[geedee]

Amazing...simply amazing. I've never been much of an activist but this kind of behavior must be punished. And boycotting is the only tool we have. Thanks for the info.

Is there any other major companies that you know of that has similar policies? Prime Minister Sharon can be...uhh...a bit much sometimes but Israel is the ONLY country we can totally depend on in the Middle East. She should be saluted for her support.

[Constitution Day]

WOW! I've heard of the 170hp Focus SVT, but a 5.0?
Insanity!

I want one. :)

[aristeides]

Interesting if Toyota has stopped contributing to Jesse Jackson's fund. Daimler Chrysler was not alone in contributing to his Wall Street project -- Ford and GM also did.

[The Duke]

When business executives are motivated by anything other than doing better business you can be assured that classic fascism is at work.