Alexis de Tocqueville Institution (AdTI)
Background
The Alexis de Tocqueville Institution (AdTI) was a Washington-DC-based think tank advocating for lower taxes and less government regulation. The group’s website, adti.net, is no longer in operation and the group appears to be defunct. AdTI was founded in 1988 in Redwood City, CA with an initial board made up of Robert Severns, Eugene Ravizza and Bruce Thompson. AdTI proclaims that they “follow the principles of Tocqueville himself…among these liberal ideas are civil liberty, political equality, and economic freedom and opportunity.”1“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
A November, 2001 study in the American Journal of Public Health highlights the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution as a prominent think tank that furthered the goals of the tobacco industry.2Derek Yach. “Junking Science to Promote Tobacco,” American Journal of Public Health, 1745-1748 (November 2001, Vol 91, No. 11). Archived November 1, 2002. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
The study notes the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution’s 1994 report titled “Science, Economics, and Environmental Policy: A Critical Examination,” which criticizes the US Environmental Protection Agency’s risk assessment methods in environmental tobacco smoke, radon, pesticides, and hazardous cleanup, uses “arguments similar to the tobacco industry’s ‘junk science’ arguments described by Ong and Glantz.”
“This report has been widely used by the tobacco industry in its quest to dismiss the hazards of environmental tobacco smoke,” Derek Yach writes in the study.3Derek Yach. “Junking Science to Promote Tobacco,” American Journal of Public Health, 1745-1748 (November 2001, Vol 91, No. 11). Archived November 1, 2002. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
AdTI was also behind a 1993/94 campaign on behalf of the tobacco industry opposing Clinton’s health plan. During the initial planning phase of the campaign, a tobacco industry executive described the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution as “perfect for this kind of thing.” AdTI responded with a proposal requesting “$60,000, or $30,000 a month, to implement this program.”
Tax-Exempt Status
According to GuideStar’s latest report, the Alexis de Toqueville Institution’s “exempt status was automatically revoked by the IRS for failure to file a form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, or 990-PF for 3 consecutive years. Further investigation and due diligence are warranted.” Screenshot below.4“Alexis De Tocqueville Institution,” Guidestar.org. Accessed June 7, 2016.
Stance on Climate Change
The Alexis de Tocqueville Institution is a member of the Cooler Heads Coalition (CHC),5“About,” Cooler Heads Coalition (GlobalWarming.org). Archived March 1, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/IBmar a group with the stated mission to ”dispel the myths of global warming by exposing flawed economic, scientific, and risk analysis.” 6“Global Warming Web Site Offers News and Information,” P.R. Newswire, April 5, 2004. Published by the Boston Globe. Archived April 8, 2004. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Funding
According to the Center for Media and Democracy’s Sourcewatch, “Alexis de Tocqueville Institution is remarkably secretive for an organization slurping up tax-exempt dollars from the benefits of an IRS 501(c)(3) charity.” Still, a number of funding sources have been confirmed.7“AdTI-Funding,” SourceWatch. Accessed February 29, 2016.
The following is a summary of funding data the Conservative Transparency project compiled from publicly available tax forms. View the attached spreadsheet for additional information on the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution’s funding by year (.xlsx). Note that not all individual values have been verified by DeSmog:8“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed February 29, 2016.
| Donor | Total |
| The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation | $1,343,900 |
| William H. Donner Foundation | $1,277,687 |
| Charlotte and Walter Kohler Charitable Trust | $746,000 |
| John M. Olin Foundation | $362,500 |
| Jaquelin Hume Foundation | $110,000 |
| Armstrong Foundation | $65,000 |
| Hickory Foundation | $61,000 |
| Philip M. McKenna Foundation | $40,000 |
| F.M. Kirby Foundation | $35,000 |
| CIGNA Foundation | $15,000 |
| The Carthage Foundation | $15,000 |
| Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation | $12,500 |
| The Roe Foundation | $3,000 |
| Grand Total | $4,086,587 |
Tobacco Industry Funding
Sourcewatch reports documents released as a result of a court judgment against big tobacco revealed Alexis de Tocqueville Institution performed paid services for Tobacco Institute in preparing a document extensively used in legislative lobbying by the tobacco industry.9“AdTI-Funding,” SourceWatch. Accessed February 29, 2016.
Philip Morris also retained AdTI’s services in a 1993 campaign against the Clinton health plan where in return for a total of “$60,000, or $30,000 a month” for the two-month campaign, AdTI pledged that the company would have the “full energies” of Cesar Conda, Bruce Bartlett, Merrick Carey and its consultants.
“We plan to activate our key Advisory Board members, including Jack Kemp, Robert Kasten, Dick Armey, Michael Boskin and others to mount a public awareness campaign immediately,” Carey wrote.10“Dear Mr. Nicoli” (PDF), From Merrick Cary to Mr. David P. Nicoli. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011666_1667. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
A summary of known Tobacco funding below: 11“950000 Public Policy Grants” (PDF) Retrieved from Philip Morris Public Document Site. Doc ID 2041273353/3356. Archived at DeSmog. 12“PUBLIC POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 970000 WITH PAID STATUS” (PDF) Retrieved from Philip Morris Public Document Site. Doc ID 2063351196/1220. Archived at DeSMog. 13“960000 PROPOSED BUDGET” (PDF) Retrieved from Philip Morris Public Document Site. Doc ID 2041212088/2216. Archived at DeSmog. 14“THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE 970000 PROPOSED BUDGET,” December 11, 1996 (Bates 83615497). Retrieved from Truth Tobacco Industry Documents. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | Grand Total | |
| Philip Morris | $75,000 | $75,000 | $50,000 | $200,000 |
| Tobacco Institute | $20,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 | $60,000 |
| Grand Total | $95,000 | $95,000 | $70,000 | $260,000 |
Other Funding
According to archived data at the Capital Research Center, the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution also received funding from the Fannie Mae Foundation and AT&T Foundation:15“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” Capital Research Center. Archived August 29, 2005. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
| AT&T Foundation | $90,000 |
|
1997
| $40,000 |
|
1998
| $50,000 |
| Fannie Mae Foundation | $52,500 |
|
1995
| $2,500 |
|
1996
| $25,000 |
|
2002
| $25,000 |
| AT&T | $50,000 |
|
1998
| $50,000 |
| Grand Total | $192,500 |
990 Forms
Key People
While the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution’s website is no longer online or available in the Internet Archive, SourceWatch reports some past “Staff and Associates” listed by AdTi:16“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
- Mike Gravel — Chairman
- Ken Brown — President
- Christopher Cox — Co-Chairman, AdTI Board of Advisors
- John Norquist — Co-Chairman, AdTI Board of Advisors
- Gordon Macklin — Co-Chairman, Market History Research Program
- Robert Toricelli — Co-Chairman, IMF Assessment Project
- Gregory Fossedal — Senior Fellow
- Donald Payne— Co-Chairman, Opportunity Africa
- Alveda King — Senior Fellow, Education Policy and Civil Rights
- Becky Norton Dunlop — Director, Democracy and the Environment Research Program
- David Kirkpatrick — Fellow, Education Policy
- Dan Evans — Teacher Choice Fellow
- Don Koniezco — Teacher Choice Fellow
- Marilyn Ketter Rittmeyer — Teacher Choice Fellow
- Sahir Zuberi — Webmaster
Other People17“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
- Dan Buck — Board member
- Sita Mazumder — Director
- Philip Peters — Salary: $114,083
- Merrick Carey — Alexis de Tocqueville Institution former president (Salary: $172,000)
- Cesar Conda — Past Executive Director
- Jack Kemp — Co-Chairman
- Stephen Moore — Former Adjunct Scholar.18Stephen Moore. “Immigration and the Rise and Decline of American Cities,” Hoover Institution. Archived June 30, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/INz9E
Actions
October 30, 1997
John Shanahan, vice president of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, attended a rally to oppose the president’s Climate Change Proposals set to coincide with United Nations sessions in Bonn, Germany to negotiate a global climate change treaty.19(Press Release). “Rally to Oppose President’s Climate Change Proposals: Consumers, Seniors, Students to Join Members of Congress in Opposing Energy Restrictions. Just Say No to Climate Care,” National Consumer Coalition, October 28, 1997. Archived September 3, 2000. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
According to the press release, the rally was held by the National Consumer Coalition and moderated by Marlo Lewis, vice president of policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and group leader of the “Cooler Heads” Coalition.20(Press Release). “Rally to Oppose President’s Climate Change Proposals: Consumers, Seniors, Students to Join Members of Congress in Opposing Energy Restrictions. Just Say No to Climate Care,” National Consumer Coalition, October 28, 1997. Archived September 3, 2000. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Event speakers included the following:
- Thair Phillips — CEO of the Seniors Coalition
- Frank Gaffney — Director of the Center for Security Policy
- Karen Kerrigan — President of the Small Business Survival Committee
- Fran Smith — Executive director of Consumer Alert
- John Shanahan — Vice president of Alexis de Tocqueville Institution
- Dr. Fred Singer — Science and Environmental Policy Project
- David Ridenour — Vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research
- Angela Antonelli — Deputy director of policy studies for the Heritage Foundation
- Dana Joel — Vice president of research for the Pacific Research Institute
- Peter Ferrara — Chief economist of Americans for Tax Reform
July 21, 1995
The Alexis de Tocqueville Institution produced a policy study on Environmental Regulation (PDF) authored by S. Fred Singer of the Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP). The study also appears to have been distributed by The Heartland Institute.21“Whither Environmental Regulation?” (PDF) PolicyFax, July 31, 1995. Retrieved from Heartland.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
The study describes the Clean Air Act as an example of “misguided regulations based on pseudo-science.” Other examples given of regulations based on “pseudo-science” include emissions reductions from Coal-burning power plants to combat the issue of acid rain and the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).22“Whither Environmental Regulation?” (PDF) PolicyFax, July 31, 1995. Retrieved from Heartland.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
1994 – Alexis de Tocqueville and Tobacco
In 1993, Philip Morris hired the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution to campaign against the Clinton health plan. Philip Morris executive Craig Fuller suggested the campaign (PDF):23“Letter Writing” (PDF), Fuller, C. to Irastorza, H; Merlo, E, February 9, 1994. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011703E. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
“Having just read the Washington Post with a series of provocative articles about Canada cutting taxes, CBO estimating higher costs AND job loss from the Clinton plan and then our old favourite, former president current homebuilder, Jimmy Carter explaining why higher taxes will help tobacco farmers, it occurred to me that we ought to turn a few of our better letter writers loose to blitz the targeted states with letters to the editor about Clinton, Carter and Canada.”
A response from Hector Irastorza, with David Nicoli ccd, suggests AdTI should help with the campaign (PDF):24“RE: Letter Writing” (PDF), From Derek Crawford to Hector Irastorza, David Nicoli, February 9. 1994. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011703C. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
“David N & I think the Alexis de Tocqueville Institute is perfect for this kind of thing. We are working with them on a proposal.”
The responding proposal (PDF) from the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution reads as follows:
“We would like to undertake a concentrated press and public policy information campaign strategy over the next two months to heighten public awareness of the new Health Tax Increase, which will include 1) background papers, opinion articles and letters in major newspapers and magazines that highlight the health tax increases,
2 ) outreach to key columnists, TV and radio commentators on the magnitude of the tax increase,
3) briefings to ensure that public officials, policymakers and the press are aware of the tax increases,
and 4) original research studies which document the negative economic impact of health care taxes
Our three key executives, Cesar Conda, Bruce Bartlett and myself, will run this campaign and we will devote the full energies of our operation and its consultants to this task. We plan to activate our key Advisory Board members, including Jack Kemp, Robert Kasten, Dick Armey, Michael Boskin and others to mount a public awareness campaign immediately (see enclosed list of Center on Regulation and Economic Growth participants).
As you can see from our press in recent months, we are in the position to deliver. We would like to request $60,000,o r $30,000 a month, to implement this program.”25“Dear Mr. Nicoli” (PDF), From Merrick Cary to Mr. David P. Nicoli. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011666_1667. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Philip Morris Documents
Over the next two months, ADTI ran a PR campaign opposing the Clinton health plan, reports Deltoid. Full documentation of their activities are available in the Philip Morris Archived and summarized below.26“The ADTI-Philip Morris file,” Deltoid, May 28, 2004. Archived June 6, 2004.
| Document ID | Date | Description |
| 2073011705 | 04-Feb | Note from Derek Crawford to David Nicoli about meetings with anti-tax groups on Feb 7 |
| 2073011706 | 09-Feb | Cover note from David Nicoli to Buffy for ADTI proposed campaign against Clinton Plan |
| 2073011707/1708 | 08-Feb | Letter from Merrick Carey, president of ADTI to David Nicoli, Legislative Counsel of PM proposing to undertake a campaign against the Clinton health plan. Attachment to previous document. |
| 2073011709/1710 | 08-Feb | Attached list of ADTI advisory board members |
| 2073011703E/1704 | 09-Feb | Email from Craig Fuller suggesting that PM start a letter writing campaign |
| 2073011703C | 09-Feb | Reply from Derek Crawford |
| 2073011703A | 09-Feb | Reply from Kathleen Linehan to David Nicoli |
| 2073011703 | 09-Feb | Email from David Nicoli listing some more possible groups that could be paid to write letters advancing Philip Morris’ agenda. |
| 2073011671/1673 | 22-Feb | Letter from Carey to Nicoli listing places where attached memorandum from Bruce Bartlett has been sent. |
| 2073011674/1675 | 22-Feb | Attached memorandum from Bartlett |
| 2073011680 | 24-Feb | Fax cover sheet from Carey to Nicoli for following Empower America tip sheet. |
| 2073011681 | 24-Feb | Empower America tip sheet based on Bartlett’s memo |
| 2073011677 | 24-Feb | Letter from Carey to Nicoli |
| 2073011676 | 23-Feb | News story inWashington Times attacking Clinton plan |
| 2073011682 | 28-Feb | Letter from Carey to Nicoli detailing ADTI’s latest efforts |
| 2073011683 | 28-Feb | Attached RNC newsletter |
| 2073011684 | 02-Mar | Progress report from Carey to Nicoli |
| 2073011685 | 08-Mar | Cover letter from Nicoli to Buffy for following four documents |
| 2073011686 | 07-Mar | Report from Carey to Nicoli |
| 2073011687/1689 | 03-Mar | Issue Memorandum by Bruce Bartlett |
| 2073011690 | 07-Mar | Washington Times op-ed by Bruce Bartlett |
| 2073011691 | 03-Mar | Letter from Carey to Robert Caldwell, Editorial Page Editor, The San Diego Union Tribune |
| 2073011692 | 08-Mar | Fax cover from Cesar Conda to Nicoli for following document |
| 2073011693 | 08-Mar | “Dear Colleague” letter from Wayne Allard |
| 2073011697 | 15-Mar | Bureau of National Affairs report on Allard’s letter |
| 2073011698 | 16-Mar | Letter from Carey to Nicoli |
Related Organizations & Individuals
- S. Fred Singer — S. Fred Singer was the principal reviewer of Alexis de Tocqueville Institution’s 1994 report titled “Science, Economics, and Environmental Policy: A Critical Examination.“27Derek Yach. “Junking Science to Promote Tobacco,” American Journal of Public Health, 1745-1748 (November 2001, Vol 91, No. 11). Archived November 1, 2002. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Cooler Heads Coalition — Member.28“About,” Cooler Heads Coalition (GlobalWarming.org). Archived March 1, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/IBmar
- Consumer Alert (National Consumer Coalition) — Event attendee. 29(Press Release). “Rally to Oppose President’s Climate Change Proposals: Consumers, Seniors, Students to Join Members of Congress in Opposing Energy Restrictions. Just Say No to Climate Care,” National Consumer Coalition, October 28, 1997. Archived September 3, 2000. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Heartland Institute — Appears to have distributed AdTI Study.30“Whither Environmental Regulation?” (PDF) PolicyFax, July 31, 1995. Retrieved from Heartland.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Past AdTI Programs
Sourcewatch reports the following as having been programs/initiatives of the AdTI:31“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
- American Immigration Institute
- Center on Regulation and Economic Growth
- Committee for the Common Defense
- Focus on Agricultural Regulation and Markets (FARM)
- International Monetary Fund Assessment Project
- Opportunity Africa
- Teacher Choice
Other Resources
- “Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” NNDB.
- “FACTSHEET: ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE INSTITUTION, ADTI,” ExxonSecrets.
- “Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” Wikipedia.
Resources
- 1“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
- 2Derek Yach. “Junking Science to Promote Tobacco,” American Journal of Public Health, 1745-1748 (November 2001, Vol 91, No. 11). Archived November 1, 2002. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 3Derek Yach. “Junking Science to Promote Tobacco,” American Journal of Public Health, 1745-1748 (November 2001, Vol 91, No. 11). Archived November 1, 2002. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 4“Alexis De Tocqueville Institution,” Guidestar.org. Accessed June 7, 2016.
- 5“About,” Cooler Heads Coalition (GlobalWarming.org). Archived March 1, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/IBmar
- 6“Global Warming Web Site Offers News and Information,” P.R. Newswire, April 5, 2004. Published by the Boston Globe. Archived April 8, 2004. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 7“AdTI-Funding,” SourceWatch. Accessed February 29, 2016.
- 8“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed February 29, 2016.
- 9“AdTI-Funding,” SourceWatch. Accessed February 29, 2016.
- 10“Dear Mr. Nicoli” (PDF), From Merrick Cary to Mr. David P. Nicoli. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011666_1667. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 11“950000 Public Policy Grants” (PDF) Retrieved from Philip Morris Public Document Site. Doc ID 2041273353/3356. Archived at DeSmog.
- 12“PUBLIC POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 970000 WITH PAID STATUS” (PDF) Retrieved from Philip Morris Public Document Site. Doc ID 2063351196/1220. Archived at DeSMog.
- 13“960000 PROPOSED BUDGET” (PDF) Retrieved from Philip Morris Public Document Site. Doc ID 2041212088/2216. Archived at DeSmog.
- 14“THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE 970000 PROPOSED BUDGET,” December 11, 1996 (Bates 83615497). Retrieved from Truth Tobacco Industry Documents. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 15“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” Capital Research Center. Archived August 29, 2005. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 16“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
- 17“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
- 18Stephen Moore. “Immigration and the Rise and Decline of American Cities,” Hoover Institution. Archived June 30, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/INz9E
- 19(Press Release). “Rally to Oppose President’s Climate Change Proposals: Consumers, Seniors, Students to Join Members of Congress in Opposing Energy Restrictions. Just Say No to Climate Care,” National Consumer Coalition, October 28, 1997. Archived September 3, 2000. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 20(Press Release). “Rally to Oppose President’s Climate Change Proposals: Consumers, Seniors, Students to Join Members of Congress in Opposing Energy Restrictions. Just Say No to Climate Care,” National Consumer Coalition, October 28, 1997. Archived September 3, 2000. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 21“Whither Environmental Regulation?” (PDF) PolicyFax, July 31, 1995. Retrieved from Heartland.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 22“Whither Environmental Regulation?” (PDF) PolicyFax, July 31, 1995. Retrieved from Heartland.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 23“Letter Writing” (PDF), Fuller, C. to Irastorza, H; Merlo, E, February 9, 1994. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011703E. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 24“RE: Letter Writing” (PDF), From Derek Crawford to Hector Irastorza, David Nicoli, February 9. 1994. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011703C. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 25“Dear Mr. Nicoli” (PDF), From Merrick Cary to Mr. David P. Nicoli. Retrieved from PhilipMorris USA Public Document Site. Document id 2073011666_1667. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 26“The ADTI-Philip Morris file,” Deltoid, May 28, 2004. Archived June 6, 2004.
- 27Derek Yach. “Junking Science to Promote Tobacco,” American Journal of Public Health, 1745-1748 (November 2001, Vol 91, No. 11). Archived November 1, 2002. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 28“About,” Cooler Heads Coalition (GlobalWarming.org). Archived March 1, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/IBmar
- 29(Press Release). “Rally to Oppose President’s Climate Change Proposals: Consumers, Seniors, Students to Join Members of Congress in Opposing Energy Restrictions. Just Say No to Climate Care,” National Consumer Coalition, October 28, 1997. Archived September 3, 2000. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 30“Whither Environmental Regulation?” (PDF) PolicyFax, July 31, 1995. Retrieved from Heartland.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 31“Alexis de Tocqueville Institution,” SourceWatch profile. Accessed March 1, 2016.
