Astroturf Tea Parties -- Fake Grass Roots

[steven johnson]

Not since Wiliam Randolph Hearst's promotion of the Spanish-American was has yellow journalism disguised itself to this extent as a populist movement. It should be called 'The Fox News Teabagging of tax rises for the wealthy.' It's fake grass roots. It's Astroturf.

AstroTurf Tea Parties Hosts on Fox News have been promoting anti-tax rallies around the country on April 15, Tax Day. They claim the events are grassroots-driven protests aimed at the current U.S. tax system. Research by progressive bloggers shows, however, the rallies are actually organized by well-funded think tanks run by lobbyists.


Know 5 Things:

1. The tea parties are organized by two large, well-funded, lobbyist-run think tanks.
2. Free Publicity and Hype on Fox News
3. Heavy Involvement From GOP Leaders .
4. What Do The Protesters Want?
Anti-TARP bailout.
5. Polls show “regular people” aren’t as interested in the protests.



AstroTurf Tea Parties