Mark Block
Mark Block was the State Director of the Wisconsin chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a free market advocacy group opposing proposals by U.S. President Barack Obama to reform heath care system and institute a cap and trade system to address global warming.[1]
In 2011, he served as Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain's campaign manager or "Chief Operating Officer", as his official title with the campaign states.[2]
Contents
Scandals
Block settled a lawsuit in 2001 accusing him of illegally coordinating a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice's re-election with an outside group. Block agreed to pay $15,000 and stay out of politics for three years.[3][4]
Block, while working for Americans for Prosperity, was involved in a vote-caging scheme in neighborhoods with large black and college student populations. Americans for Prosperity sent out mail with a "do not forward" order on it that could not be sent on to a new mailing address. If it bounced back, a letter would be used to block its recipient from voting so that they could only cast a provisional ballot.[5] Block played down the sincerity of the effort after admitting that it was he and Americans for Prosperity who had undertaken it. [6]
Activities with Americans for Prosperity
Block was state director with Americans for Prosperity during the first round of tea party protests in 2009, which culminated in nation-wide demonstrations organized by AFP focused around demands for lower taxes. Block organized rallies in Milwaukee[7] Madison[8], LaCrosse[9]and Superior[10] among other cities.
Block led efforts by Americans for Prosperity to halt policies advanced by Governor Jim Doyle in 2009 to build more solar and wind energy in the state, saying that his group would "argue -- and quite loudly -- about the economic impact of some of the laws, regulations and fees that will come out of the governor's task force report." [11]
COO of Hermain Cain Presidential Campaign
In October of 2011, Block emerged as a high profile face for the presidential campaign of Herman Cain after he appeared in a campaign ad smoking a cigarette. Media reports revealed Blocks history of involvement in election-related scandals, as well as a foreclosure on his home and two drunk driving convictions[12]
Related SourceWatch articles
- Americans for Prosperity - National and State staff
- Citizens for a Sound Economy
- Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation
External resources
- Associated Press Long ties to Koch brothers key to Cain's campaign, published article, USAToday, October 16, 2011
- Anne Landman Consider the Source: MacIver News Service, PRWatch.org, March 15, 2011
- Adele M. Stan Not an Employee? Herman Cain Had Mailing and Email Addresses at Koch's Americans For Prosperity HQ, Alternet, October 21, 2011
- Lisa Graves A CMD Special Report: Who Are the Headliners at Koch-Funded AFP Conventions?, PRWatch.org, March 29, 2011
- Brendan Fischer Walker, Van Hollen, Prosser and Others Attended Koch-Fueled Americans for Prosperity's Tea Party Conventions, PRWatch.org, April 4, 2011
References
- ↑ "Staff" Americans for Prosperity website, accessed September 2009.
- ↑ Adele M. Stan Not an Employee? Herman Cain Had Mailing and Email Addresses at Koch's Americans For Prosperity HQ, Alternet, October 21, 2011
- ↑ Associated Press Long ties to Koch brothers key to Cain's campaign, published article, USAToday, October 16, 2011
- ↑ Anne Landman Consider the Source: MacIver News Service, PRWatch.org, March 15, 2011
- ↑ 6 things to know about Herman Cain Adele Stan, Alternet. Accessed October 26, 2011.
- ↑ Liberal group alleges tape reveals plan to challenge voters. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 20, 2010.
- ↑ Bill Glauber, Thousands rally at Milwaukee tea party: Event stirs up anti-spending fervor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Accessed via EBSCOhost, October 21 2011.
- ↑ Dave Umhoefer, Madison health care meeting turns into pep rally. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Accessed via EBSCOhost, October 31, 2011
- ↑ Richard Mial, Conservative 'Tea Party' to feature speakers, chickencue. La Crosse Tribune, Accessed via EBSCOhost, October 31, 2011
- ↑ Shelley Nelson, Rally for more conservative government. Superior Telegram. Accessed via EBSCOhost, October 31, 2011.
- ↑ Lee Bergquist & Tom Content, Doyle panel votes to cut emissions, expand use of wind power, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Accessed via EBSCOHost. July 25, 2009.
- ↑ Ryan Foley, Top Cain aide has checkered past. Associated Press, October 28, 2011.
