National Center for Public Policy Research
Encyclopedia
The National Center for Public Policy Research, founded in 1982, is a self-described conservative think tank
in the United States
. Its president since its founding has been Amy Ridenour
. David A. Ridenour, her husband, is vice president, and David W. Almasi is executive director. Key staff include Caroline May, who oversees environmental programs, and Ryan Balis, who oversees United Nations
studies. Dana Joel Gattuso, Council Nedd II
, R.J. Smith, Deroy Murdock and Bonner Cohen are among those who frequently speak or publish under the NCPPR banner as senior/distinguished fellows.
NCPPR is a member of the Cooler Heads Coalition
, whose object is described as "dispelling the myths of global warming
by exposing flawed economic, scientific, and risk analysis".
was a member of NCPPR's Board of Directors; he resigned in October 2004 after NCPPR's Board of Directors concluded he had violated the organization's conflict of interest policy.
In October 2002, Abramoff directed the Mississippi Band of Choctaws to give $1 million to NCPPR, and then told Amy Ridenour to distribute the funds to Capital Athletic Foundation
($450,000), Capital Campaign Strategies ($500,000) and Nurnberger and Associates ($50,000). In June 2003, Greenberg Traurig
, the firm that employed Abramoff, sent $1.5 million to NCPPR, of which Ridenour distributed $250,000 to Capital Athletic Foundation and the remainder to Kay Gold LLC, both controlled by Abramoff. Ridenour said in testimony that she believed Abramoff co-conspirator Michael Scanlon
was the owner of Kay Gold (Kaygold).
, a "national leadership group of black conservatives." Consisting of several hundred members, Project 21 provides research and commentary on public policy issues from a conservative black perspective to the U.S. news media at large and to African American community newspapers and media outlets. According to the organization, Project 21 members, all of whom are black, were published, quoted or interviewed over 12,000 times on a variety of public policy issues between 1992-2006.
Edmund Peterson was the first chairman of Project 21. It presently is chaired by NewsMax columnist Mychal Massie. Deneen Moore was appointed Project 21's first full-time senior fellow in 2006. Project 21's staff director is David W. Almasi, who is white.
Of Project 21, the liberal magazine The Nation
said in May 2005, "Project 21 remains a crucial gear in the right’s propaganda factory. Without [Project 21, its] cadres would probably be at home screaming at the TV. But instead, they’re on TV."
, management consultant Victor Porlier, health care analyst Edmund F. Haislmaier, law professor Horace Cooper, Amy Ridenour, and David Ridenour.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its president since its founding has been Amy Ridenour
Amy Ridenour
Amy Moritz Ridenour , president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, a Washington, DC conservative think tank. Ridenour has held this post since the organization's founding in 1982...
. David A. Ridenour, her husband, is vice president, and David W. Almasi is executive director. Key staff include Caroline May, who oversees environmental programs, and Ryan Balis, who oversees United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
studies. Dana Joel Gattuso, Council Nedd II
Council Nedd II
Council Nedd II is an American political, religious and cultural commentator who serves as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Missionary Church, a Continuing Anglican body. Nedd is the first-born child of Council Nedd of Sumter, South Carolina and Gertrude D...
, R.J. Smith, Deroy Murdock and Bonner Cohen are among those who frequently speak or publish under the NCPPR banner as senior/distinguished fellows.
Policy areas
NCPPR's work is in the areas of environmental, retirement security, regulatory, economic, and foreign affairs. Particular areas of interest include global warming, endangered species, energy policy, environmental justice, property rights, legal reform, Medicare reform, health care, Social Security, civil rights, foreign affairs/defense and United Nations reform/withdrawal.NCPPR is a member of the Cooler Heads Coalition
Cooler Heads Coalition
The Cooler Heads Coalition was originally a project of the National Consumer Coalition in the United States, a project of the nonprofit organization Consumer Alert. The Cooler Heads Coalition is now financed and operated by the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Its objective is described as...
, whose object is described as "dispelling the myths of global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
by exposing flawed economic, scientific, and risk analysis".
Publications
Publications include National Policy Analysis papers, Talking Points cards, the newsletters What Conservatives Think, Ten Second Response and In the News, among other publications and a National Center Blog.Abramoff connections
Disgraced lobbyist Jack AbramoffJack Abramoff
Jack Abramoff is an American former lobbyist and businessman. Convicted in 2006 of mail fraud and conspiracy, he was at the heart of an extensive corruption investigation that led to the conviction of White House officials J. Steven Griles and David Safavian, U.S. Representative Bob Ney, and nine...
was a member of NCPPR's Board of Directors; he resigned in October 2004 after NCPPR's Board of Directors concluded he had violated the organization's conflict of interest policy.
In October 2002, Abramoff directed the Mississippi Band of Choctaws to give $1 million to NCPPR, and then told Amy Ridenour to distribute the funds to Capital Athletic Foundation
Capital Athletic Foundation
The Capital Athletic Foundation is a 501 charity organization founded in 2000. The organization's nominal purpose was to provide needy youths with athletic opportunities. The organization has been used by its founder, Jack Abramoff, as a front group for channeling money into his own political...
($450,000), Capital Campaign Strategies ($500,000) and Nurnberger and Associates ($50,000). In June 2003, Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig LLP and Greenberg Traurig PA is an international law firm based in Miami, Florida.The firm has approximately 1,800 attorneys and governmental professionals in 32 locations in the United States, Europe and Asia. Its founding office is in Miami, Florida with its largest office in...
, the firm that employed Abramoff, sent $1.5 million to NCPPR, of which Ridenour distributed $250,000 to Capital Athletic Foundation and the remainder to Kay Gold LLC, both controlled by Abramoff. Ridenour said in testimony that she believed Abramoff co-conspirator Michael Scanlon
Michael Scanlon
Michael Scanlon, AKA "Sean Scanlon", is a former communications director for Rep. Tom DeLay, lobbyist, and public relations executive who has pleaded guilty to corruption charges related to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal...
was the owner of Kay Gold (Kaygold).
Special projects
The National Center for Public Policy Research is one of the few, possibly the only, U.S. conservative organization to have an extensive long term outreach to the African American community. Since 1992, the group has sponsored Project 21Project 21
Project 21 is a conservative public policy group. The organization refers to itself as "The National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives." Its director is David Almasi....
, a "national leadership group of black conservatives." Consisting of several hundred members, Project 21 provides research and commentary on public policy issues from a conservative black perspective to the U.S. news media at large and to African American community newspapers and media outlets. According to the organization, Project 21 members, all of whom are black, were published, quoted or interviewed over 12,000 times on a variety of public policy issues between 1992-2006.
Edmund Peterson was the first chairman of Project 21. It presently is chaired by NewsMax columnist Mychal Massie. Deneen Moore was appointed Project 21's first full-time senior fellow in 2006. Project 21's staff director is David W. Almasi, who is white.
Of Project 21, the liberal magazine The Nation
The Nation
The Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The periodical, devoted to politics and culture, is self-described as "the flagship of the left." Founded on July 6, 1865, It is published by The Nation Company, L.P., at 33 Irving Place, New York City.The Nation...
said in May 2005, "Project 21 remains a crucial gear in the right’s propaganda factory. Without [Project 21, its] cadres would probably be at home screaming at the TV. But instead, they’re on TV."
Board of directors
The board of directors of the National Center for Public Policy Research includes author Peter SchweizerPeter Schweizer
Peter Schweizer is a conservative author and a research fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.Schweizer's book Do as I Say : Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy received praise from conservative political pundits including Bill O'Reilly. Schweizer's book Reagan's War was the basis of the...
, management consultant Victor Porlier, health care analyst Edmund F. Haislmaier, law professor Horace Cooper, Amy Ridenour, and David Ridenour.
Notable Associates of the NCPPR
The following individuals have affiliations with the National Center for Public Policy Research.- Peter N. Kirsanow,attorney and a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Serves on the advisory board of the NCPPR.
- Joe RocheJoe RocheJoseph Roche is an Iraq War veteran and conservative commentator.-Early life:Roche comes from a family of talented musicians. Roche's father, also named Joseph Roche, was a native of Madras, India who came to the United States to study at the New England Conservatory in Boston Roche's mother is...
, Iraq war veteran and adjunct fellow at the NCPPR.
Further reading
- People for the American Way's Right Wing Watch: Project 21 - A Laughable Attempt to Redefine "Civil Rights"
- "Tom DeLay's Right Arm", Media Transparency
- E&E TV: National Wildlife Federation and National Center for Public Policy Research debate changes to Endangered Species Act
- "The fear merchants: "Fright mail' fund-raisers targeting elderly with scare tactics?", San Francisco Chronicle, February 8, 1998
- "After critical article, conservative nonprofit accuses Raw Story of violating copyright", Raw Story, March 3, 2006
External links
- Official site
- National Center blog
- Project 21 Official site