Daimler-Chrysler Should Apologize, Says Conservative Group

1/17/2003

From: David Almasi for The National Center for Public Policy Research, 202-371-1400 x106 or press@nationalcenter.org

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- Daimler-Chrysler should apologize for the slur against conservatives made by Frank Fountain, Daimler-Chrysler's senior vice president for government affairs at a New York City event, says Amy Ridenour, president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank.

A January 17 CNS News story by Marc Morano quotes Fountain complaining that conservatives have criticized Jesse Jackson: "Most of (Jackson's) critics are conservatives; they have a rather myopic view of the world."

"Conservatives have been active in recent weeks defending the right of consumers to drive SUVs; working to open ANWR to oil drilling; working to end the double-taxation of corporate profits and working for legal reform -- all positions that are good for America, but which happen to benefit Daimler-Chrysler," said Ridenour. "Daimler-Chrysler makes large contributions to organizations that oppose all of these positions. That sounds myopic to me."

"Daimler-Chrysler has the right to give money to its opponents if it wants to, and it is perfectly natural for a large corporation to have employees of every political stripe. But when a corporation appoints someone to a senior government affairs position, a position that includes interacting with conservatives in the governmental and policy realm, it is reasonable to assume that they speak for the company," said Ridenour. "When a company goes out of its way to insult all conservatives, it goes too far."

The CNS News story quoting Fountain is entitled "Administration Officials Call Jackson's Conference Wonderful, Marvelous." It can be found at http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page= 1/4Culture 1/4archive 1/42003 01 1/4CUL20030117c.html.