Here’s a bit of a surprising revelation—though maybe it’s naïve to label any strange/perplexing bedfellows story as surprising in the world of politics. There’s an organization called the New Democratic Network (NDN)—it’s website says it “works with other allied groups to build a strong, vibrant and powerful progressive politics capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.” A lot of people have appointed themselves as the ones who can lead us out of the wilderness—and I am immediately skeptical of most, particularly ones who are simply political machine operatives who have never gotten their hands dirty in organizing workers or real people.

Its executive director, Simon Rosenberg, has been a bit of a favorite out there in the liberal/progressive blogosphere, though it’s not clear if anyone outside the blogosphere has ever heard of the guy. In fact, it was the liberal/progressive blogosphere that was his primary advocate during his run to become chair of the Democratic Party. Never met or heard the guy speak so I’ve got no axe to grind here.

But, the other day, my pal, Dan Carol (an original thinker and strategist, who can be read at Kumbaya Dammit), passed along this: a few months ago, it appears that Simon sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting Comcast’s bid (in partnership with Time Warner) to buy Adelphi. Typically, when you read a letter like this you assume that the writer is either being paid by the beneficiary or that he’s angling for some high-priced lobbying gigs. And, let me tell, ‘dem roads are definitely paved with gold. And if that’s Rosenberg’s deal, he’s got every right to pursue his career.

But, a “progressive” lobbying on behalf of Big Cable? Or having the chutzpah to lobby for Comcast AND hold a conference entitled “Developing Progressive Media and Creating a Progressive Media Marketplace”—just a few weeks before sending the letter? Though I’m wondering whether the word “progressive” has any particular meaning if an organization like NDN calls itself progressive and has on its advisory board such well-known progressives as Dave McCurdy, former Democratic Leadership Council Chairman (who is now head of the Electronics Industries Alliance and was one of the sponsors of the pro-business fundraiser for the CAFTA 15) and Mack McLarty, former Clinton White House Chief of Staff and an avid lobbyist who, after leaving the White House, partnered up with Henry Kissinger (another well-known progressive).

Just so you know, Comcast is a virulently anti-union company. As the Communications Workers of America reports, “Thousands of cable TV workers have, historically, battled an entire industry that has sought to avoid unionization. That continues today at Comcast: with 24 million subscribers nationwide, the largest and clearly the most anti-union cable provider.” During organizing drives, “Comcast uses highly paid union-busting law firms to advise management and discourage workers…”

As for the corruptive influence of Comcast, it’s been an equal opportunity dispenser of cash: in 2004, it gave more than $1.3 million, equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics; in the current cycle, it’s almost $180,000 in contributions is trending more towards Republicans but it’s still early. It’s been the top corporate contributor in the cable TV biz.

And the company is also pulling out the stops, by lobbying at the state level, to stop cities like Philadelphia from providing cheaper access to wireless Internet. So, I’d wonder what the liberal/progressive blogosphere, which presumably would endorse more access to the Internet, thinks about Rosenberg’s support for Comcast?

Looking at the list of the board of the New Politics Institute, the think-tank associated with the NDN, I wonder whether they have any inkling about Simon’s advocacy for a company that is trying to destroy the very nature of the Internet and has such a woeful record on unions. Like Joe Trippi, who has been a proselytizer for the future of the Internet as a decentralized political tool—the very network companies like Comcast are trying to control.
If you know any of these folks, drop them a note and ask what they know about the shilling for Comcast.

Maybe some of Simon’s advocates should take a look at what he’s up to—and at least ask him some questions. Until, then, a big question mark goes next to Mr. Rosenberg’s name as anyone claiming to speak for “progressives.”