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'''David Brock''' (b. 1962) is a liberal activist. A former conservative American journalist known then for his attacks on [[Clarence Thomas]] accuser [[Anita Hill]], he is the founder of [[Media Matters for America]], [[American Bridge 21st Century]] and related organizations. Since the founding of Media Matters in 2004, he has led the charge against conservatives and [[Fox News Channel]], which he publicly declared war on. <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51949.html Media Matters' war against Fox]</ref>
'''David Brock''' (b. 1962) is a liberal activist. A former conservative American journalist known then for his attacks on [[Clarence Thomas]] accuser [[Anita Hill]], he is the founder of [[Media Matters for America]], [[American Bridge 21st Century]] and related organizations. Since the founding of Media Matters in 2004, he has led the charge against conservatives and [[Fox News Channel]], which he publicly declared war on. <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51949.html Media Matters' war against Fox]</ref>
==Recent Developments==
Media Matters has come under attack by the influential [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]] for supporting bloggers who promote "dangerous political libels" and toxic anti-Jewish prejudices". According to the Center, Media Matters Senior Foreign Policy Fellow [[MJ Rosenberg]] "has repeatedly smeared Jewish groups such the [[Anti-Defamation League]], the [[American Jewish Committee]], and the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee]] as “Israel Firsters.”<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/simon-wiesenthal-center-time-to-clean-up-the-discourse/2011/12/13/gIQAThG6rO_blog.html Simon Wiesenthal Center: Time to clean up the discourse]</ref><ref>[http://biggovernment.com/tag/mj-rosenberg/ Democrats' 'Brain Trust' Hit by Antisemitism Accusations]</ref>
==Failure==
Brock has raised tens of millions of dollars for the activist groups he’s led. In 2010 alone he raised $23 million for various groups associated with Media Matters.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/us/politics/23money.html Effort for Liberal Balance to G.O.P. Groups Begins]</ref> Notwithstanding backing from [[Hillary Clinton]] <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2007/10/01/hillary-clinton-told-yearlykos-convention-she-helped-start-media-matt Hillary Clinton Told YearlyKos Convention She Helped Start Media Matters]</ref>, [[George Soros]] <ref>[http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/soros-donates-1-million-to-media-matters/ Soros Donates $1 Million to Media Matters]</ref>, wealth hedge fund managers and liberal foundations, he has been unsuccessful. Since Media Matters’ founding in 2004, Fox News Channel’s ratings have soared.<ref>[http://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-news-most-watched-cable-news-channel-for-39-consecutive-quarters/ Fox News: Most Watched Cable News Channel For 39th Consecutive Quarter]</ref>Their revenues have grown dramatically since then as well and Fox News is close to turning a $1 billion profit. <ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/DougWead/Wead-Ailes-Murdoch-Fox/2011/11/22/id/418853 How Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes Changed the World]</ref> Also, Brock's efforts to establish American Bridge 21st Century as a force within the Democratic Party have also failed. He was forced to dramatically scale back his initial vision of a organization to rival Karl Rove's hugely successful American Crossroads. American Bridge 21st Century has been relegated to an opposition operation supporting political campaigns and organizations.<ref>[http://nymag.com/news/media/david-brock-media-matters-2011-5/index4.html If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?]</ref>
Brock has raised tens of millions of dollars for the activist groups he’s led. In 2010 alone he raised $23 million for various groups associated with Media Matters.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/us/politics/23money.html Effort for Liberal Balance to G.O.P. Groups Begins]</ref> Notwithstanding backing from [[Hillary Clinton]] <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2007/10/01/hillary-clinton-told-yearlykos-convention-she-helped-start-media-matt Hillary Clinton Told YearlyKos Convention She Helped Start Media Matters]</ref>, [[George Soros]] <ref>[http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/soros-donates-1-million-to-media-matters/ Soros Donates $1 Million to Media Matters]</ref>, wealth hedge fund managers and liberal foundations, he has been unsuccessful. Since Media Matters’ founding in 2004, Fox News Channel’s ratings have soared.<ref>[http://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-news-most-watched-cable-news-channel-for-39-consecutive-quarters/ Fox News: Most Watched Cable News Channel For 39th Consecutive Quarter]</ref>Their revenues have grown dramatically since then as well and Fox News is close to turning a $1 billion profit. <ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/DougWead/Wead-Ailes-Murdoch-Fox/2011/11/22/id/418853 How Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes Changed the World]</ref> Also, Brock's efforts to establish American Bridge 21st Century as a force within the Democratic Party have also failed. He was forced to dramatically scale back his initial vision of a organization to rival Karl Rove's hugely successful American Crossroads. American Bridge 21st Century has been relegated to an opposition operation supporting political campaigns and organizations.<ref>[http://nymag.com/news/media/david-brock-media-matters-2011-5/index4.html If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?]</ref>
Brock’s other failed endeavors include [[Equality Matters]], which Brock declared would be a “new communications war room for gay equality, Equality Matters, will expose right-wing bigotry and homophobia wherever we find it”. <ref>[http://mediamatters.org/press/releases/201012200009 Brock announces launch of Equality Matters in support of gay equality]</ref> Equality Matters launched in late 2010 and is already nearly defunct. <ref>[http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/11/22/socarides-eleveld-leaving-equality-matters/ Socarides, Eleveld leaving Equality Matters]</ref>
Brock’s other failed endeavors include [[Equality Matters]], which Brock declared would be a “new communications war room for gay equality, Equality Matters, will expose right-wing bigotry and homophobia wherever we find it”. <ref>[http://mediamatters.org/press/releases/201012200009 Brock announces launch of Equality Matters in support of gay equality]</ref> Equality Matters launched in late 2010 and is already nearly defunct. <ref>[http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/11/22/socarides-eleveld-leaving-equality-matters/ Socarides, Eleveld leaving Equality Matters]</ref>
==Suspicion Among Democrats==
Despite his support among several liberal backers, according to the [[New York Times]] “there is suspicion among some Democratic operatives that Mr. Brock is more interested in promoting himself than his cause”. <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/us/politics/09trackers.html?pagewanted=all Trailing G.O.P. With Cameras, Seeking Gaffes]</ref> [[President Obama]] and his team continue to habor ill will toward Brock and his efforts, especially since Brock was such a rabid supporter of Hillary Clinton and not Obama during her failed run for President in 2008.<ref>[http://nymag.com/news/media/david-brock-media-matters-2011-5/index4.html If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?]</ref>
Despite his support among several liberal backers, according to the [[New York Times]] “there is suspicion among some Democratic operatives that Mr. Brock is more interested in promoting himself than his cause”. <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/us/politics/09trackers.html?pagewanted=all Trailing G.O.P. With Cameras, Seeking Gaffes]</ref> [[President Obama]] and his team continue to habor ill will toward Brock and his efforts, especially since Brock was such a rabid supporter of Hillary Clinton and not Obama during her failed run for President in 2008.<ref>[http://nymag.com/news/media/david-brock-media-matters-2011-5/index4.html If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?]</ref>
==Brock Has Become Wealthy Since Starting Media Matters==
Since 2004, Brock’s wealth has grown substantially to the point he was able to afford to purchase, along with his boyfriend and restaurateur James Alefantis, a $1.75 million townhouse in the exclusive Embassy Row section of Washington DC.<ref>[http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/4229.html Luxury Homes: May 2007, ''Washingtonian'', May 1, 2007]</ref> This purchase has further fueled the speculation that Brock’s conversion from conservative to liberal activist is more self-serving than anything.
Since 2004, Brock’s wealth has grown substantially to the point he was able to afford to purchase, along with his boyfriend and restaurateur James Alefantis, a $1.75 million townhouse in the exclusive Embassy Row section of Washington DC.<ref>[http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/4229.html Luxury Homes: May 2007, ''Washingtonian'', May 1, 2007]</ref> This purchase has further fueled the speculation that Brock’s conversion from conservative to liberal activist is more self-serving than anything.
==Authorship==
Brock is the author of numerous [[magazine]] and newspaper articles, and at least four books:
Brock is the author of numerous [[magazine]] and newspaper articles, and at least four books: