The Chamber of Commerce is trying to raise money off of that hoax press conference organized this week by a group of activist pranksters.
In an email to supporters, obtained by TPMmuckraker, Chamber exec Bill Miller writes that his organization is “under attack” and claims “MoveOn.org and other extremist groups are harassing our members.”
Miller continues:
A group of pranksters held a fake news conference falsely claiming to be the U.S. Chamber…
They’re attacking us for having the audacity to oppose legislation that would be harmful to American employers and cost vital American jobs.
We need your immediate support to help weather these continued attacks. Click here to learn how you can help us fight back.
That “click here” goes to a web page that lets visitors give money to the Chamber.
Miller concludes by painting the Chamber brass as heroic iconoclasts for threatening the future of the planet on behalf of corporate interests:
While some political insiders are worried about politics — we’re worried about jobs. And we will do what it takes to create those jobs that America needs to recover.
If that upsets the political apple cart in the Beltway — then so be it.
On Monday, the Yes Men, a group of pranksters working with environmental activists, sent out a fake press release under the name of the Chamber, falsely writing that the business lobby had shifted its staunch opposition to serious efforts to deal with climate change. The stunt, which also involved a fake press conference at the National Press Club, fooled Reuters, CNBC, and others.
That episode came on the heels of a number of high-profile defections from the Chamber, by energy and other companies, who cited the group’s stance on climate change.
Here’s Miller’s full email:
They’re Attacking — And We’re Winning
Support Our Efforts and Help Us Fight Back TodayDear XXX,
Help us fight back!As you probably have seen in the news — the U.S. Chamber is under attack.
MoveOn.org and other extremist groups are harassing our members…
A group of pranksters held a fake news conference falsely claiming to be the U.S. Chamber…
They’re attacking us for having the audacity to oppose legislation that would be harmful to American employers and cost vital American jobs.
We need your immediate support to help weather these continued attacks. Click here to learn how you can help us fight back.
The U.S. Chamber is being villified for standing up for American employers and workers?
While some political insiders are worried about politics — we’re worried about jobs. And we will do what it takes to create those jobs that America needs to recover.
If that upsets the political apple cart in the Beltway — then so be it.
But we need your help to meet these ambitious goals.
Thank you for your continued support. It’s grassroots supporters like you that have allowed us to be the strongest voice for American business in Washington.
Sincerely,
Bill Miller
Senior Vice President and National Political Director
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
