Difference between revisions of "David Brock"

Revision as of 14:53, January 4, 2012

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. ^[1]

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.^[2] Notwithstanding backing from Hillary Clinton ^[3], George Soros ^[4], wealth hedge fund managers and liberal foundations, he has been unsuccessful. Since Media Matters’ founding in 2004, Fox News Channel’s ratings have soared.^[5]Their revenues have grown dramatically since then as well and Fox News is close to turning a $1 billion profit. ^[6] Also, Brock's efforts to establish American Bridge 21st Century 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.^[7]

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”. ^[8] Equality Matters launched in late 2010 and is already nearly defunct. ^[9]

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”. ^[10] 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.^[11]

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.^[12] This purchase has further fueled the speculation that Brock’s conversion from conservative to liberal activist is more self-serving than anything.

Brock is the author of numerous magazine and newspaper articles, and at least four books:

• The Real Anita Hill. Free Press. (1993)
• The Seduction of Hillary Rodham Clinton. (1996)
• Blinded by the Right. The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative. (2002)
• The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy. (2004)

Education

• University of California, Berkeley - 1985^[13]

External links

• David Brock bio

References

1. ↑ Media Matters' war against Fox
2. ↑ Effort for Liberal Balance to G.O.P. Groups Begins
3. ↑ Hillary Clinton Told YearlyKos Convention She Helped Start Media Matters
4. ↑ Soros Donates $1 Million to Media Matters
5. ↑ Fox News: Most Watched Cable News Channel For 39th Consecutive Quarter
6. ↑ How Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes Changed the World
7. ↑ If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?
8. ↑ Brock announces launch of Equality Matters in support of gay equality
9. ↑ Socarides, Eleveld leaving Equality Matters
10. ↑ Trailing G.O.P. With Cameras, Seeking Gaffes
11. ↑ If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?
12. ↑ Luxury Homes: May 2007, Washingtonian, May 1, 2007
13. ↑ Alumnus David Brock, founder of Media Matters