The Canadian Prime Minister’s new media advisers are Michael D. McCurry and Ari Fleischer. Kory Teneycke, Communications Director for the Prime Minister’s Office, said that both men have unparalleled experiences working with U. S. media outlets. He would not discuss how much the lobbyists will be paid or how long they will be retained.
Michael D. McCurry
Michael McCurry is a veteran political strategist and spokesperson. He was press secretary for former U.S. President Bill Clinton from 1994 to 1998. He served as a Department of State spokesman and has held leadership positions for the Democrats’ national campaigns.
McCurry is currently a partner with the communications firm, Public Strategies Washington (PSW). He provides counsel on management and strategies to corporate and non-profit clients. As stated on the PSW website, the firm provides insights into the workings of Washington. Those insights “are essential in developing and executing a successful lobbying strategy”.
Ari Fleischer
Ari Fleischer was a press secretary for former President George W. Bush. New York-based, he left that position in 2003. Prior to serving in the administration, he was senior communications advisor and spokesman for the 2000 Bush-Cheney presidential campaign.
He was spokesman (2007) for Freedom Watch, described as a group of prominent conservatives organized to launch a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign. Its goal was to urge Congressional members to maintain support of the war in Iraq. During interviews, Fleischer has defended the Bush policies on opposition to the Kyoto Climate Change Treaty, and the weakening of the Clean Air Act. Fleischer has also defended the idea of oil and gas exploration in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.
Washington Lobbyists and the Media
The government believes that the lobbyists in Washington have contacts that are not available to Canadian Embassy officials. They believe that McCurry and Fleischer will be able to obtain interviews with prominent journalists and broadcasters that could be beneficial.
Michael McCurry made the arrangements for interviews during the recent Summit of the Americas. Ari Fleischer was involved in the coordination of the the interviews made by Prime Minister Harper during the recent G-20 meeting in Britain.
The Prime Minister’s Office spokesman stated that the goal is to raise the profile of Canada in the U.S. It will promote Canada’s banking system strengths and the stability of its energy supplies. Mr. Harper, who rarely interacts with Canada’s media, has given interviews in the U.S. to CNN, Fox News, and the Wall Street Journal.
Sources:
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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