Posted on 01/24/2003 4:19:54 AM PST by kattracks
CNSNews.com) - Another conservative group has demanded an apology from DaimlerChrysler for the remarks made last week by one of the company's top executives.
Most conservative critics of Jesse Jackson, DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President Frank Fountain said, have a "myopic view of the world." Fountain commented while appearing at Jackson's Wall Street Project fundraiser in New York City.
Peter Flaherty, president of the conservative National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), wrote a letter to Chrysler Group President Dr. Dieter Zetsche demanding the company withdraw Fountain's remarks and "cease financial support for Jesse Jackson and his organizations."
"Since one of [DaimlerChrysler's] executives made a totally inappropriate and deliberate attack on millions of Americans who are also customers, the company should apologize," Flaherty told CNSNews.com.
"It's imperative to tell the American people that they welcome conservatives as customers; otherwise, many people will not buy Chrysler automobiles," Flaherty explained. DaimlerChrysler manufactures Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Mercedes vehicles.
In the letter to DaimlerChrysler, Flaherty urges the firm to apologize to conservatives.
"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," Flaherty wrote.
During last week's interview with CNSNews.com, Fountain also praised Jackson's organizations as being "of integrity and beyond reproach," comments Flaherty said surprised him.
The NLPC, a legal watchdog group, filed a formal complaint regarding Jackson's finances with the IRS in 2001. At least due in part to the NLPC's actions, Flaherty said, Toyota Motor Sales USA discontinued all sponsorship of Jackson's organizations in 2002.
"DaimlerChrysler should follow in Toyota's footsteps and cut off funding for Jackson's organizations," Flaherty said.
In 2000, DaimlerChrysler gave $50,000 to Jackson's PUSH for Excellence education initiative, according to the Capital Research Center, which tracks corporate philanthropy. Fountain originally told CNSNews.com that DaimlerChrysler had contributed money in the amount of "six figures" to Jackson's organizations.
Calls to Fountain's office were referred to DaimlerChrysler spokesperson Debra Nelson, who did not respond to a request for a comment Thursday.
When contacted Wednesday, Nelson dismissed the initial CNSNews.com report, claiming at one point that Fountain had never made the "myopic" comment about most of Jackson's conservative critics. However, the comment was tape-recorded and the interview with Fountain transcribed and published in its entirety on the CNSNews.com web site Thursday.
According to Nelson, "Fountain's comments were taken out of context and were not intended to characterize individuals of any political perspective." Nelson refused to explain the context in which Fountain made the comments.
Nelson also contradicted Fountain's claim that the automaker gave Jackson a six-figure annual donation. The total amount the company gave Jackson for this year's event is unknown.
The National Center for Public Policy Research, which has sought an apology since last week, threatened to take up the matter with conservative members of Congress. Amy Ridenour, president of the conservative group, said DaimlerChrysler might reconsider its position if elected officials broached the topic with the company's lobbyists.
Ridenour said she does not understand why the automaker has not yet apologized for and retracted Fountain's remarks.
"If it wasn't for the literally millions of conservative voters, donors to conservative political candidates, volunteers to conservative candidates, left-wing America would have nationalized every one of these companies a long time ago," Ridenour said.
"They really should be sending every one of us thank you cards, not insults," Ridenour added.
See Earlier Stories:
DaimlerChrysler Faces Consumer Anger Over Conservative Slur
DaimlerChrysler Official Says No to Apology Demand
E-mail a news tip to Marc Morano.
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