Astroturf

Do you know where the term astroturf in relation to political protest comes from? ❋ Unknown (2009)

And the Platonic form of astroturf is when Peoria Parents for a Brighter Future turns out to be three bachelors in a K Street office with some letterhead and a fat check from McDonalds or something. ❋ Unknown (2009)

There was one individual from the left who I strongly suspected was on the DNC payroll somehow - maybe not to specifically post on our board, but to spread political propaganda and engage in astroturf activities in general. ❋ Unknown (2010)

The astroturf is cut into the letters "I" and "T," which I thought was a direct comment on how the cultures of H1 visa holders gets hidden in the hi-tech culture they're immersed in, but the wall didactic doesn't say anything about "IT" so maybe I'm wrong. ❋ Unknown (2008)

Covered in astroturf and populated with dozens of city smog-resistant plants, it was larger than the entire apartment below it. ❋ Unknown (2007)

: I had no idea that the late Lloyd Bentsen, a great politician, coined the phrase astroturf, but I commend him for having done so. ❋ Unknown (2009)

The album, with the catchy title "Ronald Reagan speaks out against Socialized Medicine," was an early example of what is today called "astroturf" -- a fake grassroots effort bankrolled by a deep-pocket lobbying group. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Here's a case where the political and journalistic conception of "astroturf" -- political organizing that looks to be grassroots but is actually driven and supported by some masked interest -- breaks down, in part because of the web, and there's no real workable framework to take its place. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Tea Party activists were first dismissed as "astroturf" - mere puppets for a shadowy GOP "machine." ❋ Ken Connor (2010)

It’s important to note that astroturf is not simply a thing created by activist and special interests — it’s an allegation made by their opponents that attempts to create a connection between ordinary citizens and private or hidden interests. ❋ Unknown (2009)

When asked about the Tea party movement the always gracious Pelsoi said “we call it astroturf.” ❋ Unknown (2009)

The cynical and clever use of faux grassroots campaigns (called astroturf in the trade) where civilians are induced to join the debate in a misleading fashion to suggest a public interest in a parochial issue continues. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Perhaps they didn't want to be known as the astroturf campaign? ❋ Unknown (2009)

But come November 5th, pseudo-grassroots groups, also known as astroturf organizations will have to begin thinking hard about how they will relate to both their members and to a government swept by the party whose wishes they habitually defer to. ❋ Unknown (2008)

Yes, it's spring almost summer, in an election year, and suddenly the orchestrated political comments - known as astroturf, or Pitcher Plants in their local variety - come popping up everywhere. ❋ Ed Hollett (2007)