Friday, January 15, 2010

Former Governor Blunt pays $14,000 to direct marketing firm connected to Karl Rove


As far as we know, former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt, who chose not to seek a second term, is not running for anything, but the campaign machinery appears to be chugging along nicely.

Though the January disclosure form filed by Missourians for Matt Blunt with the Missouri Ethics Commission does not list any contributions, the former governor paid $14,781.29 in December to Olsen & Shuvalov, an Austin, Texas-based direct marketing consulting firm which, according to its website specializes "in communicating your message to voters, opinion leaders and contributors to Republican candidates, party organizations and conservative causes. We take what you know about your message, your audience and your objective, and develop a focused strategy catered to meet your specific needs. Whether your audience is accustomed to hearing from you via the mailbox or their computer, we help you communicate a crisp, clear and concise message when it matters most."

The Ethics Commission documents show Blunt's campaign committee paid $6,181.43 for "postage" to the firm on Dec. 1, then added another $8,599.81 for "professional services" on Dec. 29.

The Olsen and Shuvalov of the firm's name are men with ties to Republican strategist Karl Rove. Todd Olsen was executive vice president of Karl Rove and Company, while Kevin Shuvalov worked for Rove and Company and served as regional political director for Bush-Cheney 2000. Most of the rest of the firm's top names also came from Rove's old company.

Since his depature from public office in 2009, Blunt has kept busy, serving as a consultant for the powerful Washington. D. C. lobbying firm Cassidy & Associates, serving on the board of auto salvage company Copoart, and working as an advisor for Solamere Capital, a private equity firm started by Tagg Romney.

Blunt's fourth quarter report shows his campaign committee still has $334,439.64.

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