We’ve talked a few times recently about a new “nonpartisan” government ethics watchdog group that seems to be operating as an unusually overt hit squad in the service of Republican partisan politics. The so-called Open Government Institute of Colorado earned press back in March from a complaint they filed against a former Democratic lobbyist.
The fact is, that complaint was not wholly without merit, but the manner in which is was picked up and hyped out of all earthly proportion by the usual-suspect network of conservative blogs and “news sites” demonstrated its true purpose and origins unmistakably. It later came out that the “nonpartisan” OGI in fact shares office space with the arch-conservative Independence Institute, and that its staff includes the now-interim head of the Denver Republican Party Michelle Lyng in addition to longtime Independence Institute cadre Jessica Peck.
Well folks, we were forwarded a video clip from last Friday’s luncheon of the Colorado Republican Business Coalition, attended by Rep. Mike Coffman among others, where Ms. Peck delivered a “political update” in her official capacity as Executive Director of OGI. Let’s be really crystal-clear about that detail:
We’re guessing Ms. Peck didn’t realize she was on camera.
JESSICA PECK: And Congressman Coffman, we’re working on some things that may, in a very non-partisan way, benefit you in your endeavors in November, [Pols emphasis] so I’ll talk a little bit about that. So, I come here as a partisan Republican…
So, um, we would say at the very least, this is going to make the current self-description of the OGI difficult to report by journalists with a straight face. Can you imagine the outcry if the “left-leaning” Colorado Ethics Watch was caught on tape doing this? We’re not election law experts, so we’ll leave it to others to sort out if this briefing of a political candidate whom a “nonpartisan” nonprofit’s work may “benefit in November” constitutes a violation of law.
As for any remaining veneer of “nonpartisan” believability, we’ve got to call that ship sailed.
Full story: “Nonpartisan Watchdog” Caught on Tape Getting Awfully Partisan
To explain how this is all Obama’s fault.
along with GOPher will we see Fast Eddie Rollins chime in with his 2-cents? But how about this from OGI’s own website (they broke the caps out but emphasis mine):
Well at least we have Ms Peck’s stupidity to thank for revealing the truth.
Let’s see what he’s got.
I believe Michelle Lyng answered this perfectly below, but I’ll agree with her here. Employees of OGI do not give up their First Amendment rights when they take the job. I’m sure that employees of Colorado Ethics Watch have party affiliations, and Pols didn’t write an expose amazingly enough.
Jessica Peck will be pleased to learn she has her own tracker now though…
But credibility as an “independent” is.
It’s not the affiliations, but the positions in the party that matters.
I’d say “nice try,” but it wasn’t.
Hi guys – this is Michelle again – thanks for the warm welcome. I have never claimed to be an independent. I have always been open about the fact that I’m a Republican. That said, in my job, I’ve often had to separate my personal feelings from my projects. And, I’ve absolutely chastised Republicans in the past.
Further, my family is comprised primarily of Democrats. So, my personal feelings also don’t make it to the holiday table. My mom has a politi-crush on Obama. Believe it or not, some of us politicos are not as passionately and irrationally partisan as you’d like to believe.
Additionally, the volunteer work that I perform on my free time is my business. I also serve on several other boards (e.g., The First Tee of Denver) because I believe in being an active participant in my community.
Some food for thought: I secretly hate the game of golf, yet I am on the board of The First Tee of Denver bc I believe in how the program positively impacts at-risk youth. Probably shouldn’t take everything at face value.
I hope you answer the questions that are addressed to you below.
that I should receive an e-mail yesterday from my own Representative Libby Szabo (R) requesting I vote for her for to receive an award from this organization as being a “champion of transparency”.
My suggestion: go vote in the poll…for anyone other than Szabo.
http://ogicolorado.org/2012/04…
Hi – This is Michelle Lyng. Just wanted to clarify a few points you make above. My role as the Denver Republican Party chairman is a) going to last approximately one more week and b) is done in my free time and for no pay. The job is completely voluntary. Further, having a position at a nonpartisan organization does not mean that I have relinquished my First Amendment rights of association. In fact, OGI employs leaders from all political persuasions – Republican, Democrat, Independent, Liberatarian, and everything in between. We welcome you to join the cause – http://www.ogicolorado.org. XOXO – Michelle
Welcome to Pols, Michelle. Since you’re highlighting the temporary nature of the chairmanship, how much longer will you continue to be vice chair?
How would you describe the OGI cause?
And beyond your multiple roles, how do you “clarify” your non-partisan boss’ promise of C3 help to a federal candidate?
is OGI nonpartisan or nonprofit? The latter actually has a legal meaning and is pretty clear that stumping for a candidate is taboo
apologies for the “C3″ shorthand, that’s 501c3.
From their site: “OGI is a non-partisan non-profit organization, meaning that we cannot and will not endorse any candidates or legislation.”
So yeah, I’m guessing most attorneys not named Gessler would tell you that her direct offer of help to Mike Coffman is a no-no, and puts her org’s tax status at risk.
how anyone who considers him/herself Christian can vote for a Republican is beyond me. The string of adjectives seems endless but in the end they don’t accept the teachings of one JC Nazareth.
Thanks for responding, Michelle. Your answer is perfectly reasonable and there’s no controversy with this at all. Good luck to you.
See my comment above.
She says there are Democrats and Republicans on staff there. I believe one of the people who has commented here is a Boulder Democrat who worked for Jared Polis.
Isn’t it possible that they are really nonpartisan like she says? The best way to do that would be to employ Republicans and Democrats, right?
I’m just saying it’s not as simple as Pols always tries to make it seem.
Not if she’s specifically addressing Coffman to tell him that what they do “benefits” him.
Why aren’t you answering anyone else’s questions?
means nothing. Certainly, it doesn’t mean “non-partisan”. That would depend on the behavior of the individuals involved.
It would be interesting to see what punishment awaits an OGI staffer for acting in a “partisan” way. Don’t they have by-laws?
These aren’t the droids you’re looking for. Move along, move along.
That sounds dangerously partisan and intertwined with political campaigning.
Then why on your voting page for “Champions of Transparency” do you only list conservative blogs, conservative ‘grassroots guardians’, and 3 of the 5 legislators are Republicans – some of the most conservative ones at that?
Also, if you are such a big proponent of transparency, why is your website not transparent about who funds OGI?
It’s always fun when someone named in the story replies. It’s one of the things that keeps me coming back to these tube-connected computers.
Pffft – D’s do it to.
And Solyndra.
Monica Goodling.
Van Jones.
Thanks, Madco, you’re right.
the pertinent question is:
I can, and I’d imagine you leading the charge here.
But everyone, including the media, knows that Colorado Ethics Watch is a left-wing pro Democrat organization through and through. Isn’t there a Jared Polis staffer working for the OGI?
It’s sometimes not as simple as it seems.
Etch-a-sketch, with two views using the same argument (Jared Polis staffer) on the same page.
The difference between CEW and OIG comes down to the statement quoted above, where Ms. Peck seems to step directly into campaign entanglement waters. CEW OTOH hasn’t in the past appeared to target candidates (or incumbents up for election) in an preferential manner; they seem to work independently of any political schedule.
surely you meant someone else …
And don’t call my Shirley.
(and it’s way funnier my way – right past Arapagoph)
What happened before the applause at the beginning? What did she say next?
I’m not going to berate someone for a clip of a sentence of a speech as fun as that sounds.