Plouffe Endorses While Firm is On Campaign Payroll

By Shira Toeplitz | December 9, 2009 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

President Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe endorsed Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in a fundraising e-mail for the Democrat's Senate campaign.

"I get asked quite a bit what I think the most important campaigns in 2010 will be. And the Ohio Senate race is always near the top of my list," Plouffe wrote. "That's why I'm supporting Lee Fisher."

Perhaps Plouffe is just working overtime, but his firm -- AKPD Message and Media -- also does media consulting for Fisher, who is the front-runner in the Democratic primary where he faces Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. According to campaign finance reports, the Fisher campaign had paid more than $3,100 for media production to AKPD so far this cycle through Sept. 30.

According to a top Fisher aide, the campaign approached Plouffe independently about writing an e-mail in support of their candidate. The Fisher aide also said Plouffe has not worked on any campaigns this fall and instead has been traveling to promote his book, "The Audacity to Win."

According to the AKPD Web site, Plouffe is a senior adviser for the firm. What's more, another top gun at AKPD, Larry Grisolano, is the principal on Fisher's media campaign. A phone call to AKPD for comment was not returned.

Plouffe is a veteran Democratic operative, who has worked for former House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick -- both of whom he mentions in his e-mail to Fisher's supporters. Plouffe, however, does not mention in the e-mail that AKPD does any work for Fisher.

CQ Politics rates the general election race a Tossup.

For a look at how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out CQ Politics' election map.

Next: Melancon Raps Vitter's Silence on Health Care Provision
Previous: McCain Backs Ex-Aide's Bid For Colorado Rep. Perlmutter's Seat

Comments

David Plouffe’s endorsement and apparent business entanglement with Lee Fisher does not bother me as much as much as Brunner’s resume padding.
Brunner won a state wide election for SoS and right away went looking around for another position. How infuriating. Failing to fulfill one full term as SoS implies selfish desire. She treats the SoS position as if it is a minor rung on her career ladder. I predict she will lose the Primary to Lee Fisher and will likely lose a reelection bid if she can run for SoS again. Which sets the table for the Republicans to take control of Ohio’s Apportionment Board.

Posted by: JB Feucht | December 10, 2009 11:03 AM

Ohio has a "sore loser" law, which means that if you lose in a primary, it is impossible to run as a candidate for that same position you just lost in the general election. So...JB may wish to revisit his/her predictions.

Posted by: Gene | December 10, 2009 1:21 PM