One Word - Reports
Back in August of 2006 I wrote about the propaganda machine that Henry Waxman had put to together and lamented that the GOP had nothing as effective:
Employing a personal and committee staff (he is the ranking minority member of the House Committee on Government Reform) of about 45 his office churns out reports, mostly critical of the President and the GOP.
But the most effective weapon in Waxman's arsenal is a staff of high-powered lawyers, investigators and technical experts who churn out a steady stream of penetrating and fact-laden reports. Many find their way into headlines.
The research Waxman's staff generates is so strong and so pointed it gives his GOP colleagues heartburn, including Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, (R-Va.), who chairs the Government Reform Committee.
Although some claim his priority is publicity.
Kevin Madden, a spokesman for House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), complained that Waxman often chose his research targets primarily to get publicity. "There's a big difference between responsible oversight, and … investigations charades which are merely in search of a headline," he said. "It gets to a point where it's more shtick than substance."
Journalists and advocacy groups however rely on the research generated by Waxman's staff and his close relationship with investigative journalists, as well as an aggressive program tracking what journalists are working on increases it's impact.
Investigative reporters in Washington agree that — partisan as Waxman is — his staff research is highly reliable. Chief Counsel Phil Barnett, the final gatekeeper, vets every report the office releases.
The impact of the research is increased by the close relationship members of Waxman's staff maintain with news reporters, especially investigative ones. Phil Schiliro, the congressman's veteran chief of staff, is on a first-name basis with members of most major news organizations in Washington.
Communications Director Karen Lightfoot keeps tabs on what selected reporters are working on.
In other words if Rep. Waxman's staff finds out a reporter is working on a story, they will funnel him research, the reporter publishes it and since it is so "reliable" there probably isn't a lot of fact checking, and both sides have what they want. In a way it's really a lot like Reutersgate the press want sensational stories and Hezbollah or Hamas or whoever supplies them. Fact checking is minimal.
Since 1998 Waxman's staff have created over 2000 reports many are issued in another congressman's name:
Brian Cohen [a staff member] is in his windowless warren, pulling together yet another report, this one on prescription costs for seniors in New York. Costco is beating the government's new Medicare benefit by a long shot.
In his previous life, Cohen, 38, was an MIT scientist; here, he is the quintessential Waxman staffer. He could double his salary in the private sector. Instead, he works at a desk just big enough for a computer, a family picture and a banana. He says he does it because he believes he's performing a public service.
Though most staff research is issued in the congressman's name, this report will be released under the name of Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Democrat from New York; Waxman won't be mentioned.
It is an idea the congressman came up with to expand his reach while in the minority. Any lawmaker in Congress can request a study tailor-made for a particular district. Waxman's staff plugs in local figures; the same model can produce as many as 100 different analyses. Local newspapers usually pick them up and a spotlight is trained on an issue the White House or majority party prefers not to highlight. Cohen has done close to 1,000 of them.
Partisan, energetic, and skilled at manipulating the press, if the Democrats take the House in November Henry Waxman will be the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform. That will place him in a much stronger position to push his agenda.
tags: Bush, Cheney, Impeach, war, Global+war+on+Terror, Iraq, WMD, Henry+Waxman
Well it is time for the GOP to revisit this issue. Homes are being foreclosed on at an astronomical rate - how about a report that points the finger at Barack Obama, Chris Dodd and Barney Frank. Bloggers do this all the time but except for a privileged few they don't carry anywhere near the clout as a report with the House (or Senate) seal and a congressman's name on it. The big three automakers are failing? Point out how Dems and the unions have caused the problems. This is a game two can play.
If Pelosi et. al. decide to shut the operation down make a ton of noise and then take it private as a think tank which will provide pro-bono work to congress people.
We need to get our message and our story out there.
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