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| − | '''David Brock''' (b. 1962) is a former conservative American journalist and [[author]]. Since the late 1990s, Brock's work has been less supportive of conservative causes. He is the author of numerous [[magazine]] and newspaper articles, and at least four books: | + | '''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> |
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| | + | 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> |
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| | + | 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> |
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| | + | 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> 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. |
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| | + | Brock is the author of numerous [[magazine]] and newspaper articles, and at least four books: |
| | * ''The Real Anita Hill''. Free Press. (1993) | | * ''The Real Anita Hill''. Free Press. (1993) |
| | * ''The Seduction of Hillary Rodham Clinton.'' (1996) | | * ''The Seduction of Hillary Rodham Clinton.'' (1996) |
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| | * ''The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy''. (2004) | | * ''The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy''. (2004) |
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| − | In a July 1997 article in [[Esquire]] magazine, Brock recanted much of what he had written about [[Anita Hill]], and apologized to her. Brock formed the liberal political organization [[Media Matters for America]] in about 2004, and is currently employed there.
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| | + | ==External links== |
| | + | *[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/51949.html Media Matters' war against Fox] |
| | + | *[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/us/politics/23money.html Effort for Liberal Balance to G.O.P. Groups Begins] |
| | + | *[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] |
| | + | *[http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/soros-donates-1-million-to-media-matters/ Soros Donates $1 Million to Media Matters] |
| | + | *[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] |
| | + | *[http://www.newsmax.com/DougWead/Wead-Ailes-Murdoch-Fox/2011/11/22/id/418853 How Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes Changed the World] |
| | + | *[http://mediamatters.org/press/releases/201012200009 Brock announces launch of Equality Matters in support of gay equality] |
| | + | *[http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/11/22/socarides-eleveld-leaving-equality-matters/ Socarides, Eleveld leaving Equality Matters] |
| | + | *[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/us/politics/09trackers.html?pagewanted=all Trailing G.O.P. With Cameras, Seeking Gaffes] |
| | + | *[http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/4229.html Luxury Homes: May 2007, ''Washingtonian'', May 1, 2007] |
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| | + | == References == |
| | + | <references/> |
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| | {{DEFAULTSORT:Brock, David}} | | {{DEFAULTSORT:Brock, David}} |
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| | [[category:authors]][[category:conservatives]] | | [[category:authors]][[category:conservatives]] |