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Forum Post: Clark Lytle Geduldig & Cranford attack OWS

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 19, 2011, 10:46 a.m. EST by bensdad (8977)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:53 AM EST by Jonathan Larsen (crossposted from MSNBC's "Open Channel" blog) A well-known Washington lobbying firm with links to the financial industry has proposed an $850,000 plan to take on Occupy Wall Street and politicians who might express sympathy for the protests, according to a memo obtained by the MSNBC program “Up w/ Chris Hayes.”

The proposal was written on the letterhead of the lobbying firm Clark Lytle Geduldig & Cranford and addressed to one of CLGC’s clients, the American Bankers Association.

CLGC’s memo proposes that the ABA pay CLGC $850,000 to conduct “opposition research” on Occupy Wall Street in order to construct “negative narratives” about the protests and allied politicians. The memo also asserts that Democratic victories in 2012 would be detrimental for Wall Street and targets specific races in which it says Wall Street would benefit by electing Republicans instead.

According to the memo, if Democrats embrace OWS, “This would mean more than just short-term political discomfort for Wall Street. … It has the potential to have very long-lasting political, policy and financial impacts on the companies in the center of the bullseye.”

The memo also suggests that Democratic victories in 2012 should not be the ABA’s biggest concern. “… (T)he bigger concern,” the memo says, “should be that Republicans will no longer defend Wall Street companies.”

Two of the memo’s authors, partners Sam Geduldig and Jay Cranford, previously worked for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. Geduldig joined CLGC before Boehner became speaker; Cranford joined CLGC this year after serving as the speaker’s assistant for policy. A third partner, Steve Clark, is reportedly “tight” with Boehner, according to a story by Roll Call that CLGC features on its website.

Jeff Sigmund, an ABA spokesperson, confirmed that the association got the memo. “Our Government Relations staff did receive the proposal – it was unsolicited and we chose not to act on it in any way,” he said in a statement to "Up."

CLGC did not return calls seeking comment.

Boehner spokesman Michael Steel declined to comment on the memo. But he responded to its characterization of Republicans as defenders of Wall Street by saying, “My understanding is that President Obama is the single largest recipient of donations from Wall Street.”

The CLGC memo raises another issue that it says should be of concern to the financial industry -- that OWS might find common cause with the Tea Party. “Well-known Wall Street companies stand at the nexus of where OWS protestors and the Tea Party overlap on angered populism,” the memo says. “…This combination has the potential to be explosive later in the year when media reports cover the next round of bonuses and contrast it with stories of millions of Americans making do with less this holiday season.”

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The memo outlines a 60-day plan to conduct surveys and research on OWS and its supporters so that Wall Street companies will be prepared to conduct a media campaign in response to OWS. Wall Street companies “likely will not be the best spokespeople for their own cause,” according to the memo. “A big challenge is to demonstrate that these companies still have political strength and that making them a political target will carry a severe political cost.”

Part of the plan CLGC proposes is to do “statewide surveys in at least eight states that are shaping up to be the most important of the 2012 cycle.”

Specific races listed in the memo are U.S. Senate races in Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Mexico and Nevada as well as the gubernatorial race in North Carolina.

The memo indicates that CLGC would research who has contributed financial backing to OWS, noting that, “Media reports have speculated about associations with George Soros and others.”

"It will be vital,” the memo says, “to understand who is funding it and what their backgrounds and motives are. If we can show that they have the same cynical motivation as a political opponent it will undermine their credibility in a profound way.”

9 Comments

9 Comments


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[-] 2 points by gracchusbabeuf (3) 12 years ago

In case anyone is interested in (peacefully and legally) protesting at the homes of the partners and associates at Clark Lytle Geduldig & Cranford, here is a list of their names, addresses and questionable accomplishments.

Clark Lytle Geduldig & Cranford 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 750 South Washington, D.C. 20004 (202) 628-0028

Steve Clark, Partner Former Board Member Ohio Chamber of Commerce Cited in 2000 as Ohio’s Most Effective Corporate Lobbyist 9273 Lerwick Dr. Dublin, OH 43017-9492

Gary Lytle, Partner Former VP and lobbyist at Qwest Former interim CEO of the United States Telecom Association (USTA) Former VP at Ameritech 4870-D Old Dominion Dr. Arlington, VA

Sam Geduldig, Partner Served in an array of positions with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Mike Oxley (R-Ohio) Acted as the House Republican leadership’s liaison to the business community 1519 Pathfinder Lane Mc Lean VA 22101

Jay Cranford, Partner Former Assistant for Policy to Boehner Former Director of Government Affairs at the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), a offshore oil and gas industry association Former Director of Government Affairs at the El Paso Corporation, a natural gas exploration and transportation company 4136 N Richmond St. Arlington, VA

Amy Lorenzini Wren, Associate Worked for convicted money launderer and former Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas) Alexandria VA

Adam Geller, Associate CEO of the Republican polling firm, National Research Inc. Former pollster for NJ Governor Chris Christie Managed and analyzed surveys and focus groups in Jesse Helm’s 1996 re-election National Research Inc. 146 State Highway 34 Suite 250 Holmdel, NJ 07733 (732) 817-1088 adam@nationalresearchinc.com

Jim Parker, Associate Former President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine 5755 N Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46220

Ann Marie Clark Clark’s campaign contributions include Roy Blunt R-Mi. In 2005, Blunt was a member of the “Most Corrupt" list compiled with Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. 9273 Lerwick Drive Dublin OH 43017-9492

[-] 1 points by peacefulgranny (2) from Grass Valley, CA 12 years ago

I am inclined to think this memo is a fake for these reasons: Typo's, grammatical errors, no secretary's initials/obo, or a signature. It is really easy for anyone to get a hold of letterhead stationary and type a fake memo. Also, Jeff Sigmund, an ABA spokesperson, stated: “Our Government Relations staff did receive the proposal – it was unsolicited and we chose not to act on it in any way,” he said in a statement to "Up." It could actually have been 'leaked' as a set-up to make us all nervous or paranoid.

[-] 1 points by bensdad (8977) 12 years ago

if you really think this memo IS fake -
consider the patriot act and the billions of phone calls that are tapped
I (imho) believe they are watching, they are subverting
OWS is the biggest threat to "THE MAN"

[-] 1 points by Awick (19) 12 years ago

Call them up and let them know what you think: (202) 628-0028

[-] 1 points by entrepreneur (69) 12 years ago

how is it possible that CLGC's memo leaked in media? was it intentional leak. the doc that leaked in media is on letterhead of CLGC however is not signed. I doubt if it was intentional leak. Why was it addressed to American Bar association (ABA) is it the role of ABA to pay for public investigations on OWS#?

[-] 1 points by Quasimofo (7) 12 years ago

The ABA in this case is the American Bankers Association, not the Bar.

[-] 1 points by entrepreneur (69) 12 years ago

thank for clarifications. I read it wrong somewhere else and now it all makes sense

[-] 1 points by ushadrons (2) from Miami, FL 12 years ago

Occupy Clark, Lytle, Geduldig, Cranford. Occupy K Street!

[-] 1 points by ushadrons (2) from Miami, FL 12 years ago

The memo, written by K Street firm Clark, Lytle, Geduldig, Cranford, is a particularly interesting development. This type of revelation creates perturbations in the system that can not be dampened. This is a target rich environment for Anonymous. This coming election cycle is going to be historic in a variety of never before seen ways. I intend to be very active. Together the people will foster the unfolding of a new world.