Marchi, B

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<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2009/08/11/55635/afp-perriello-townhall/">http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2009/08/11/55635/afp-perriello-townhall/</a>

Last night, ThinkProgress attended Rep. Tom Perriello’s (D-VA) town hall in Ruckersville, Virginia. Inside, many people were holding signs provided by Americans for Prosperity, a corporate front-group run by a Jack Abramoff associate who also ran “grassroots” lobbying campaigns <a href="http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/29/afp-timphillips-astroturf/">for Enron and other business interests</a>. There were loud disruptions as people interrupted with intermittent <a href="http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=10881246">yells and boos</a>, but dozens of others showed up in support of both Perriello and the House health care bill.

“I’m angry that you ignore the law of the Constitution that requires Obama to prove that he is a natural born citizen,” said one town hall attendee. After being interviewed by ThinkProgress at the event, the man not only confirmed his “birther” views, but said he was contacted by Ben Marchi to distribute Americans for Prosperity talking points and signs at the event. Marchi is the Virginia state director of Americans for Prosperity and a <a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/041709-ben-marchi-afp-va-state-director">former staffer</a> for former Republican Majority Leader Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX). Watch it:..

g on Aug 11, 2009 at 3:30 pm

EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the coming month, ThinkProgress will be traveling to town hall events across the country to report on what we’re seeing on the ground. This is our second eyewitness report.

Last night, ThinkProgress attended Rep. Tom Perriello’s (D-VA) town hall in Ruckersville, Virginia. Inside, many people were holding signs provided by Americans for Prosperity, a corporate front-group run by a Jack Abramoff associate who also ran “grassroots” lobbying campaigns <a href="http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/29/afp-timphillips-astroturf/">for Enron and other business interests</a>. There were loud disruptions as people interrupted with intermittent <a href="http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=10881246">yells and boos</a>, but dozens of others showed up in support of both Perriello and the House health care bill.

Americans for Prosperity, which is funded by <a href="http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/05/29/afp-timphillips-astroturf/">oil-interests</a> like Koch Industries, has relied upon extreme elements to build opposition to Obama and to progressive legislation. Events sponsored and organized by the group have featured Democratic members of Congress <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/28/dem-effigy-afp/">hung in effigy</a>, rhetoric comparing health reform to <a href="http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/08/americans-for-prosperity-compares-health-care-reform-to-holocaust.php">the Holocaust</a>, and signs accusing lawmakers of being <a href="http://www.americansforprosperity.org/070709-daily-texan-activists-decry-federal-taxes">traitors</a>.

Rather than foster a constructive dialogue, groups like Americans for Prosperity have been tapping into fear and <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2009/07/31/53761/recess-harassment-memo/">encouraging disruptions</a> of town hall events. The strategy is not only undemocratic, but it lends legitimacy to far more dangerous activities.

A local right-wing blogger called “Send A Rope” is following around Perriello, taping him and accusing him of being a “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq41nseMWzc">traitor</a>” for voting for clean energy reform. The blogger, who encourages readers to send pieces of rope to Congress and the <a href="http://sendarope.com/about/">White House</a>, declares on his website, “I don’t think that there are <a href="http://sendarope.com/">enough trees or rope in Washington DC to handle all the traitors</a> you would find there.” In a YouTube video, the blogger ominously warns, “I hope it doesn’t come to us having to do what we all think is coming with these guns, but <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbIlcZbi2Cw">you better be ready if it is</a>.”

Though this blogger is not openly affiliated with Americans for Prosperity, this type of violent political rhetoric is being fueled by lobbyist-run groups and their allies in right-wing media (Send A Rope lists <a href="http://sendarope.com/">Fox News’ Glenn Beck</a> and Judge Napolitano as inspirations).

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BS bio  Ben Marchi is the state director for the Virginia chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP-VA). Americans for Prosperity is the premier grassroots citizen lobbyist organizations in the country with over one million members nationwide and more than 27,000 in Virginia. Americans for Prosperity is a citizen watchdog organization focused on promoting the free-market and issues such as budget reform, lower taxes and government transparency.

Marchi has worked in the field of national government affairs and state politics for several years. He has worked extensively on Capitol Hill as well as in the research department of the National Republican Congressional Committee. In Virginia, he has played an instrumental role in state elections by running campaigns, including Brenda Pogge’s successful 2007 bid for the House of Delegates. Marchi first became involved in grassroots politics at the age of 12 volunteering for then Delegate George Allen in Albemarle County where he grew up.

The Virginia chapter of Americans for Prosperity was formed in August of 2005. Since Marchi took over the reigns in January 2008, the chapter has seen many successful grassroots and policy victories. In 2008 Marchi successfully battled Gov. Tim Kaine's proposed tax increase and followed that by pushing House Republicans to record subcommittee votes, a move that created greater transparency in government.

In 2009 Marchi and AFP-VA led the fight against the federal government's takeover of our healthcare system. Embarking on a bus tour that eventually stopped in more than 70 counties and cities across Virginia, Marchi took the message of "Hands Off My Healthcare!" to rallies and town hall meetings in every corner of the commonwealth.

Additionally, Marchi has held a number of events that focused on defeating the so-called "card check" legislation, out of control EPA Regulation and Cap and Trade.

In 2010 Marchi was asked to serve on Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell's transition team and as a member of the Government Reform Committee was tasked with uncovering wasteful spending within state government. A number of Marchi's recommendations were later successfully used in the Governor's budget recommendations to the General Assembly.

In addition to his AFP responsibilities, Marchi is a member of The Sons of the American Revolution and also serves as a trustee on the board of the Sgt. Ryan Doltz Foundation. He currently resides in Henrico County with his wife Jennifer.

Read more: <a href="http://www.americansforprosperity.org/041709-ben-marchi-afp-va-state-director#ixzz1rSyG9vWY" style=" color: #003399;">http://www.americansforprosperity.org/041709-ben-marchi-afp-va-state-director#ixzz1rSyG9vWY</a>

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