View source for Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy

'''HOAX WARNING RE: HARDING INSTITUTE FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY'''

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The '''Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy''' proclaims that it is a Washington, D.C.-based [[think tank]] that states  on its website that it believes "in American ingenuity, a special role for America in the world, the manifest destiny of the American dream, and the importance of American leadership in the cause of freedom and liberty."<ref>[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/5.html "The Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy"], Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy, accessed February 2008.</ref> The group's website states that it is headed by "[[M. Thomas Eisenstadt]]", who serves as a "Senior Fellow".<ref>.[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/3.html "The Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy: Staff"], accessed February 2008.</ref>  

The domain name for the website was registered in early November 2007 by an internet registration company based in Pennsylvania, according to Joker.com.<ref>"[https://joker.com/index.joker Hardinginsistitute.org"], accessed February 2008.</ref> The website claims in a blog posting that the group's website predated this: "Due to a hard-drive crash, we've had to rebuild the website from scratch. Apologies to everyone who has contributed over the years, but sadly it may take some time to reconstruct the archives."<ref>[http://www.hardinginstitute.org/2.html "News"], November 2, 2007 post, accessed February 2008.</ref> However, there are no links that 

As of June 2008, the Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy is not listed with Guidestar.org as a U.S.-based [[501(c)3]] non-profit group.

In June 2008 blogger William K. Wolfum concluded that "M. Thomas Eisenstadt (who originally started a blog named www.michaeleisenstadt.com and was referred to as "Michael") was a hoax. As was his "think tank" called "The Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy" (which seems to be a joke, being that Warren G. Harding is widely considered to be one of the worst Presidents in U.S. history)."<ref>William K. Wolfum, [http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/06/when-abrad2345-exited-m-thomas.html When Abrad2345 exited, M. Thomas Eisenstadt entered"], ''Shakesville'' (Blog), June 10, 2008.</ref>