Report: Feds Paid $500K to Air Pro-Obama Ads on Maddow, Olberman Shows
- Posted on August 22, 2012 at 2:25pm by
Becket Adams
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The Labor Department paid a public relations firm approximately $500,000 stimulus dollars to run ads praising the Obama administration’s “green training” job efforts on NBC News’ (then-MSNBC) “The Rachael Maddow Show” and the now-defunct “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” according to the Washington Times.
Despite the investment, however, it doesn’t appear the pricey ad campaign created a single job, the report adds.
The Labor Department paid McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations LLC $495,000 to help raise awareness “among employers and influencers about the [Job Corps] program’s existing and new training initiatives in high growth and environmentally friendly career areas”
“The firm ultimately negotiated ad buys for ‘two approved spots’ airing 14 times per week for two months,” The Washington Times reports, adding that under the section listing the number of jobs created is a big ‘ol zero.
Obviously, the fact that the taxpayer-funded investment didn’t create a single job and the fact that the ads ran on two clearly Obama-friendly shows has more than a few people saying the whole thing is “questionable.”
“Hiring a PR firm does not create jobs, and this was obviously meant for selling a particular political agenda,” said David Williams, president of the nonprofit watchdog Taxpayers Protection Alliance. “The placement really reeks of a political ad rather than a job ad, and taxpayers see through this.”
“Taxpayers would be a lot happier at the end of the day to see a completed road rather than a bunch of ads on cable television,” he added.
Of course, Labor Department officials defend the payout and claim politics played no role the investment.
“[O]fficials said the money was used for outreach efforts to raise awareness among potential employers about the Job Corps’ green training in career areas, including automotive, advanced manufacturing and solar-panel installation,” the Times reports.
Labor Department officials claim their research “showed that advertisements would reach the target demographic of business owners and managers interested in hiring ‘green-trained’ employees through a programming list that initially also included shows hosted by CNN’s Larry King and public television’s Jim Lehrer as well as the two MSNBC programs where the ads eventually appeared.”
Public television was ruled out because it was too costly and officials reasoned they could reach a larger audience with Olberman and Maddow than with King. There is no explanation for why other cable outlets (i.e. Fox, ESPN, etc.) were not considered.
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Comments (70)
FatManChew
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 6:56pmI guess the great thing about this stimulus money was Olberman ended up just like Solyndra.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 6:11pmTalk about pis*ing money away.
Report Post »freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 6:10pmRobbing Peter to pay Paul? Seems too much $$$ going to, too few goods.
Report Post »F_This
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 6:04pmYou had better be f u c k i n g kidding me with this.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:58pmNBC nothing BUT COMMUNIST NEWS the LEFTS child of the air4wavesw places PRO COMMUNIST ADS for CHAIRMAN OBAMA serves them right to LOSE revenue n be shut down.. guess what kids.. its already bene foretold OBAMAS OUT n the romulan in.. OS remember those who are AMERICAN BORN vote to remove obama.. for OBAMA IS NOT AMERICAN BORN but muslumn left
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:49pmEmploying… Intellectual Defectives… WORKS!
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 8:14pmIf the liberals hate these two losers as much as most of us do, they’ll vote for the republicans.
Report Post »quete
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:09pmShe is a stupid lesbian.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on August 23, 2012 at 4:52pmWell, at least we can give her credit for never getting an abortion.
Report Post »tothepoint
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:51pmCall it what it is – These are payoffs to his buddies who drool over Obama and keep the truth of his lies and corruption from America.
Report Post »getalong
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:14pmLet me get this straight. Hard-working taxpayer’s money was wasted once again by Obama and his cronies. What else is new. I wonder how much taxpayer‘s money is being siphoned into Obama’s campaign?
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 8:52pmI don’t understand what good it is doing by playing on Maddows and Olbermans show, because no one watches them.
Report Post »65Plus
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:45pmThere is absolutely nothing honest about this Administration – they can do nothing but racketeering.
Report Post »JoseyWales73
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:21pmThe Mafia can learn a lot from this administration.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:43pmI would give any one credit that can make a Pro Obama ad using only the truth and facts, So I say there can and in no way ever be a Pro Obama ad
Report Post »neoconpunk
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:41pmWell, it shows MSNBC (Actually just NBC, Microsoft left) is now just PBS, only surviving off tax payers money.
Report Post »dgonzalez01
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:38pmIs that leagal to do that?
Report Post »JQuentinEvermann
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:35pmCorrupt. Tyrant. Criminal. Impeach this SOB now! He steals money and power from Americans. He is public enemy #1 and must be stopped.
Report Post »65Plus
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:48pmYou have Coward-in-Chief Boehner to talk to. He is great for “back room deals,” like the one he made to pillory Michelle Bachmann over her common sense calls to have the Muslim Brotherhood’s infiltration of the Government investigated. Get rid of Boehner first.
Report Post »Larry E
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:06pmWith the three viewers that Madcow has, and the zero viewers Olberman has that’s a kind of pointless and stupid waste of money. Not to mention likely illegal or standing on the border. Good goin’ you crooks!
Report Post »eCharleen
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:21pmMy dad may have been one of those three. I’ll know more the next time we debate and he throws out the latest talking points.
Report Post »jst1425
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:04pmI say let’s keep shining sunlight on this repugnant, oozing, festering, decaying disgusting, lying, p.o.s., that SOME call their President!
Report Post »They say it is the very best way to eradicate infection…KEEP SHINING SUNLIGHT on “it”!
jimbo_from_suwanee
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:59pmSo, he does not enforce law which is his constitutional duty. He does not order the DOJ to investigate the NBPP. He forces us to buy products that he wants us to buy. He throws away billions to solar energy companies AND He used our tax dollars to tell us he actually did a great job?
Is that what I am hearing? The Blaze is the only one who will cover it. National media will ignore this abuse of office and wasting our tax dollars!
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:57pm“The Labor [PUBLIC] Department paid a public relations firm [PRIVATE concern] approximately $500,000 stimulus dollars [PUBLIC MONIES] to run ads praising the Obama administration’s “green training” job efforts on NBC News’ (then-MSNBC) [PRIVATE concern] “The Rachael Maddow Show” [PRIVATE concern] and the now-defunct “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,”[PRIVATE concern].
“[PUBLIC TELEVISION] was ruled out because it costs too much”
Okay, kiddie’s, what is wrong with this picture? HMM?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:52pmAtaway Obama, spend it on programming nobody watches, good strategy.
Report Post »thibx
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:50pmthat’s all oboma has done from day 1 waste money. is that station not owned by GE who pay no taxes.
Report Post »Wayner
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:59pmWho watches Maddow??? Millions more would have seen it if it was on O’Reilly
Report Post »FREEDOMoverFEAR
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:49pmHoly cow who knew Obama couldn’t manage money? I thought he was a genius, GENIUS I SAY!
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 8:12pmValery Garrett and OBonzo himself woudl tell you that he is the smartest man in EVERY room.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:48pmPeople have jobs at public relation firms.
Does the Washington Times think the commercials and the logistics to get them aired was due to spontaneous generation or some miraculous occurrence?
My mother has been getting paid from stimulus funds. I see signs all over for projects funded by stimulus funds. It’s simply not true that the program passed by congress has not been effective.
What a bunch of whining children.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:50pmIt sure has kept unemployment under 8% as promised!
Report Post »rickinpa
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:52pmYeah Mary look how much it’s made the unemployment rate go down over the last two years – money well spent…lol
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:01pmWhat a joke MaryElizabeth! We don’t need to have a stimulus to make more government jobs! We have waaaay too many already! Roads? BS! We ALREADY pay LOTS of taxes to keep our roads maintained and improved on a regular basis! Solar panels??? Ummm like Solyndra?!
Report Post »Man, I can’t believe you cannot see the WASTE that is Team Obama!
Melvin Spittle
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:01pmThe operative phrase is “created jobs”. I doubt your mother’s company had to hire additional staff. What actually happens is that agencies that received the funds normally spent the money on pay raises and bonuses and did not hire any new employees. Even if the program created 1000 jobs, it would be considered a tremendous failure and waste of taxpayer funds.
The ad agency did not hire additional staff for this single run. Try again.
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:02pmHey Mary! Please elaborate! How is your mother getting paid with stimulus funds? “This oughta be good”
Report Post »eternal_vigilance
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:14pmWhining children, REALLY. My mommy is getting paid from stimulus funds….really….pray tell…..and how did Mary E. KNOW how the stimulus funds were being spent….SIGNS……..Mary Elizabeth, here’s YOUR SIGN…….git a clue
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:25pmYeah Zipit, it is good that my mother had a job that she would not have had if there were no stimulus funds. It’s over now
She had to keep special time sheets recording all her hours and detail the different duties she performed to be able to receive the money, because there were restrictions and guidelines attached to the funds. Because Congress doesn’t just give money away. They treat their duty to account for spending the peoples taxes seriously.
The 1st two commenters argued for more government employment so the unemployment rate would be reduced.
The next commenter argued that it is a bad idea to fund the private sector because they are incompetent.
The next guy just made stuff up.
I’m embarrassed for you all and your lack of focus.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:28pmEternal _Vigilance,
Maybe if you had any friends you would know someone who was receiving stimulus funds.
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:33pmGreat! I’m glad that you actually believe all that, (not really), but what job was she performing that she was able to get paid?
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:45pmYou don’t understand they mean new jobs not just people who currently have a job that is what he means it didn’t create any new jobs
Report Post »LakeHartwellSailor
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:49pm@marybethelizabeth
Please enlighten us as to what your Mother does? Is she with the Transportation Department? Maybe she is one of those 65000 people who got a job at a price of about $740,000 per job! That is PER JOB! Nope, no wasted stimulus money here folks….move along.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:11pmMikeV5
President Bush asked the Chinese premier what the toughest part of his job is.
He said the toughest thing to do was find new jobs for 100′s of thousands each month.
So you want the government to be in the job creation business?
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:13pmLakehartwellsailor.
That stimulus money was given to the private sector and it was wasted there,
The only reason you know about the private sector’s incompetence is because the Congress made sure there was accountability.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:15pmZipit The kind of job my mother was doing, I’d just rather keep that private.
How much do you make a year?
Report Post »fdraiden
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:38pmWake up you idiot!
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 6:01pmMary,
Report Post »Okay…, but tell us, what is it that your mother does. Inquiring minds want to know.
Zipit
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 9:23pmWhat I do make there Mary is “sense”. But for you to make statements like “They treat their duty to account for spending the people’s taxes seriously” when talking about our congress,,,,,, really! So come on what did mom do to earn stimulus money thus saving our country from ruin? Did she crush cars for “cash for clunkers”, or maybe caulk windows for “cash for caulkers”, I’d like to know exactly what types of jobs we are borrowing 40 cents on the dollar to furnish, and what each of those knobs ends up costing the taxpayer!!!!! Wasn’t watchdog Joe Biden in charge of making sure the stimulus money was spent well and honestly?
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:42pm“Public television was ruled out because it costs too much and officials reasoned they could reach a larger audience with Olberman and Maddow than with King.”
Report Post »———————————————————————————-
A…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,………………………..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…………………………….AHAHAHAH..AHAHA……HAHA…..HA, whew!
PilgrimStuckInBizarroWorld
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:18pmYou made me giggle!
Report Post »canadianproud
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:27pmThat put huge grin on my face.Also i spit out my coffee. HEHE.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:40pmWhy are they using taxpayer money for campaign use? Aren’t there laws preventing this?
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:50pmThere was no campaign. The commercials could not have been for campaign use.
The Reverend Moon’s Washington Times is a well known fifth column front organization.
Report Post »65Plus
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:50pmEric Holder will get on it immediately. This is why we need a FOURTH branch of government – a completely separate and independent Department of Justice.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:39pmWhy wasn’t that money used to pay back on the debt? Does he really hate the future generations and the poor?
Report Post »MistaB
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:35pmJohn Boehner must go!! When is he going to grow a spine and go after this jerk in the white house who is crapping all over the Constitution!
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:57pmSeriously, what does John Boehner do????? Talk about a waste of tax payer money!!
Report Post »