Abramson’s analogy is false, misleading, and ludicrous in several respects.  Every contribution to a state or federal political campaign made by Koch or any other person or group must be disclosed to the government and publicly catalogued.  Indeed, Koch scrupulously complies with all disclosure requirements, which the New York Times and other partisan media have used as a way to harass and attack us in the past.

There have been many commentators over the past few years who have blurred the distinction between constitutionally protected speech and campaign contributions.  Considering that the Times has written more than 100 articles in the last year mentioning Koch, it’s surprising that Ms. Abramson is still confused about the distinction.

There’s little doubt, however, that Ms. Abramson differs with our long-held and publicly expressed views concerning economic freedom, individual liberty, and limited government, and journalism integrity.  After all why single out Koch and not the many progressive advocacy groups that advocate concerning public policy issues using the same lawful approaches that Koch does?  But to liken our efforts to Watergate, with no basis other than her own imagination, is yet another malicious and irresponsible attack by Ms. Abramson and her newspaper against Koch for exercising its First Amendment rights of free expression.

Dear Ms. Ackley:

I am having a hard time understanding why Koch Industries was singled out in your piece and headline in reference to an event with which we had no participation whatsoever [Romney Fundraiser Hosts Include Koch Lobbyist; July 26].

I should point out first that the headline and lede could lead the reader to the impression that Patton Boggs currently conducts lobbying services for Koch — which is not the case. Regardless, the inference that we therefore have tacit involvement in any activity of either their firm or Siff & Associates (the other firm cited), is simply false.

As one of Washington’s most preeminent lobbying firms, Patton Boggs has many hundreds of clients and contributes to candidates too innumerable to recite. As you noted only in a later update to your story, Siff & Associates also represents a varied clientele, including a union and a non-partisan professional association. But by the rationale in your piece, couldn’t any of those clients — or all of them, for that matter — be cited as having some oblique part in Governor Romney’s fundraiser?

There is a gratuitous quality to stories that draw these stretched connections to Koch Industries. When reporters further link those imagined ties — as several did last week, falsely reporting that we had contributed to the Bachmann for President campaign — the confusion feeds on itself. Partisan commentators try to spread that confusion intentionally. Readers deserve a higher standard from a respected political publication like Roll Call, one based on facts not supposition.

Regards,

Philip Ellender

President and COO
Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC

CC: Susan Benkelman, Executive Editor

Mr. Cecil also raised several issues facing our country. We clearly disagree on the best way to address those problems. We think the role of government is to help create an environment of economic freedom where people and businesses can prosper. This short video illustrates that perspective:

As for the “staff error” Mr. Cecil refers to, he should know this was not an isolated incident.

On June 17th, we received a letter from a member of DSCC finance staff asking for a substantial contribution. That was followed by a phone call from that staffer on June 22nd and another on June 30th. Also on June 30th, we received yet another overture from the Deputy Director of Finance, urging us to “max-out” a donation, join the DSCC “Leadership Circle,” have breakfast with U.S. Senators, and also take part in the DSCC’s Kiawah Island retreat.

Senator Patty Murray, Chair
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Dear Senator Murray:

For many months now, your colleagues in the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee leadership have engaged in a series of disparagements and ad hominem attacks about us, apparently as part of a concerted political and fundraising strategy. Just recently, Senator Reid wrote in a DSCC fundraising letter that Republicans are trying to “force through their extreme agenda faster than you can say ‘Koch Brothers.’”

So you can imagine my chagrin when I got a letter from you on June 17 asking us to make five-figure contributions to the DSCC. You followed that up with a voicemail* indicating that, if we contributed heavily enough, we would garner an invitation to join you and other Democratic leaders at a retreat in Kiawah Island this September.

I’m hoping you can help me understand the intent of your request because it’s hard not to conclude that DSCC politics have become so cynical that you actually expect people whom you routinely denounce to give DSCC money.

It is troubling that private citizens taking part in the discourse have become the targets of White House and DSCC fundraising missives, and we would certainly encourage you to rethink that approach. Ultimately, I expect voters will see through that and will weigh the issues on the merits alone. But in the meantime, if you could provide me some insight on what exactly you are asking of us and why, I would be most grateful.

Sincerely,
Philip Ellender
President, Government & Public Affairs
Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC

*Listen to Senator Murray’s voicemail message here.