Lloyd Bentsen is usually credited with coining the expression “astroturf lobbying”—synthetic, industry-created and/or funded citizens groups meant to mimic genuine grassroots advocacy. Astroturf groups dot today’s political landscape like kudzu (or, for a more West Virginia-flavored analogy, the satellite dish), and a number of public relations firms—like the Bivings Group and Bonner & Associates—specialize in more or less full-time astroturf creation.

As reported in Charlottesville, Virginia’s Daily Progress, U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello has reported receiving “at least” six letters from constituents representing local chapters of national minority organizations, each claiming opposition to Perriello’s vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (seeing mountaintop removal as a threat to the scenic beauty of his district, and thus a threat to tourism dollars, Perriello is no friend of coal) . The letters have all been confirmed as forgeries and a partner with Bonner & Associates, Gwynn Geiger Hegyi, has formally apologized to one of those groups (I thought about writing “claimed responsibility”—a phrase usually reserved for acts of terrorism. Is an act meant to deceive on an issue vital to job growth in minority communities substantively less villainous?).

Members of Creciendo Juntos, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of Charlottesville’s Latino community, reported that their organization’s logo, address and name were used without authorization in a letter purportedly written by “Marisse K. Acevado, Asst Member Coordinator”. No such person or position at Creciendo Juntos exists.

Perriello staffers thought the wording of the Creciendo Juntos forgery looked familiar, and located five other similarly-worded letters—this batch originating with the Albemarle-Charlottesville branch of the NAACP. They contacted M. Rick Turner, president of the local NAACP chapter. Turner confirmed that none of the five people who had signed the letters could be found on the chapter’s roster.

Tim Freilich, who sits on the executive committee of Creciendo Juntos, made a point that’s worth reiterating and enlarging: “It’s this type of activity that undermines Americans’ faith in democracy.” In an era of push-polling, town hall guerilla warfare, and instantaneous feedback (tweet-tweet), activities like this further erode a politician’s confidence in authentic, thoughtful dialog with their constituents. Beyond that, it’s misrepresentative: both the NAACP and influential Hispanic civic engagement groups, like Democracia Ahora, support ACES.

Building on the fictions of "clean coal" and the National Black Chamber of Commerce as a representative minority voice, this is just another day's work for dirty energy. Or maybe astroturf needs "fertilizer", too.

(Copies of the five letters are available through my second link.)

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