Work for Me, Vote Like Me? Voter Intimidation in the Workplace
CEOs and politicians attempt to sway employees.
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Mitt Romney's Confession - Several politicians and leaders of major companies made waves recently for influencing company employees to vote Republican in November.– Britt Middleton Mitt Romney drew scrutiny last week after audio leaked of him speaking to a group of small business leaders encouraging business owners to pass their own political views — or support for a candidate — down to their employees. "Nothing illegal about you talking to your employees about what you believe is best for the business," the GOP presidential candidate said. (Photo: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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Darden Restaurants - Darden Restaurants, the owner of the popular Red Lobster and Olive Garden chains, announced in October that it will transition more employees to part-time status in some of its locations to offset insurance costs under Obamacare. (Photo: Courtesy of Darden Restaurants)
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Papa John's Pizza - In August, John Schnatter, CEO and founder of Papa John's Pizza, told shareholders the chain would "find tactics to shallow out any Obamacare costs and core strategies to pass that cost onto consumers" if Obamacare is not repealed. Schnatter, a Romney supporter, estimated that the president's health care raises the cost of their pizzas by 11 to 14 cents. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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Koch Industries - In October, Koch Industries sent letters to 45,000 employees in its Georgia Pacific branch warning of "consequences" for the workers if Republicans aren't successful in November, including "higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation, and other ills," the letter read. In addition, brothers David (pictured above) and Charles Koch have spent millions to fund conservative political action committees this election. (Photo: Marc Stamas/Getty Images)
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Rep. Joe Walsh's Plan to "Energize" Voters - Echoing Koch's message while speaking at a campaign event in Bloomingdale, Illinois, Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh rallied business leaders to "energize" employees about the election by telling them they may not have jobs if President Obama is re-elected or if Democrats take the majority in Congress. (Photo: AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)
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Murray Energy Corporation - In August, Murray Energy Corporation in Ohio blamed "regulatory actions by President Obama and his appointees" as the reason for why 239 people were laid off from a coal mining operation in Southeastern Ohio. The organization's leaders, who have donated to conservative campaigns in the past, warned more layoffs were to come. (Photo: Courtesy of MEC)
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Westgate Resorts - David Siegel, founder and CEO of Westgate Resorts, recently sent an ominous email to employees insinuating that he would cut jobs at the timeshare giant if President Obama is re-elected. Siegel, who openly supported President George W. Bush in the 2000 election, added that President Obama's proposed tax plan would mean "fewer jobs, less benefits and certainly less opportunity for everyone." (Photo: Courtesy of Westgate Resorts)
Photo By Courtesy of Westgate Resorts