ANWR lobbying group hires G. Gordon Liddy to spread drilling message

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Fairbanks, AK, USA - The lobbying group that uses state of Alaska money to push for petroleum drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has hired Watergate conspirator and talk radio host G. Gordon Liddy to broadcast live from Alaska.

Arctic Power spokesman Adrian Herrera said Liddy was hired to broadcast from Alaska for five days in mid-July. His listeners are mostly blue collar and middle-aged, Herrera said.

“That sort of demographic is very good,” Herrera said. “Those are voters. Those are people who will call their congressman and say, ’Hey look, I heard on Gordon Liddy the real truth about Alaska. And I think this is important and I think you should support Alaskan issues.”’

State Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, said bringing Liddy up sounds like a “sick joke.”

“I think it’s terrible,” Elton said. “If Alaska wants to put the best face on things it’s probably best to not hire felons.”

Liddy helped plan the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. A government cover-up of the scheme led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Liddy served 4 1/2 years in prison.

Former state Rep. Mike Navarre, co-chairman of Arctic Power, said most people who listen to Liddy probably do not know the details of Watergate. Bringing Liddy to Alaska is a cost-effective way to get the state’s message out, he said.

Arctic Power is looking for corporate sponsors to offset its costs, which might be approximately $50,000, Herrera said.