General Category > Elections 2020
'Not a hack': Iowa Democratic Party defends delay in release of caucus results
mountaineer:
Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we?
--- Quote ---The stealthy, Eric Schmidt-backed startup that’s working to put Hillary Clinton in the White House
October 9, 2015
By Adam Pasick & Tim Fernholz
An under-the-radar startup funded by billionaire Eric Schmidt has become a major technology vendor for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, underscoring the bonds between Silicon Valley and Democratic politics.
The Groundwork, according to Democratic campaign operatives and technologists, is part of efforts by Schmidt—the executive chairman of Google parent-company Alphabet—to ensure that Clinton has the engineering talent needed to win the election. And it is one of a series of quiet investments by Schmidt that recognize how modern political campaigns are run, with data analytics and digital outreach as vital ingredients that allow candidates to find, court, and turn out critical voter blocs. ...
There is also another gap in play: The shrinking distance between Google and the Democratic Party. Former Google executive Stephanie Hannon is the Clinton campaign’s chief technology officer, and a host of ex-Googlers are currently employed as high-ranking technical staff at the Obama White House. Schmidt, for his part, is one of the most powerful donors in the Democratic Party—and his influence does not stem only from his wealth, estimated by Forbes at more than $10 billion. ...
--- End quote ---
Full story
And google has its mitts all over Shadow, Inc.
mountaineer:
From Shadow, Inc.'s website:
--- Quote ---MEET THE SHADOW TEAM
We are campaign and technology veterans who have built and implemented technology at Hillary for America, Obama for America, Google, Kiva, Apple, the AFL-CIO, and the DNC.
Our passion is to create a permanent advantage for progressive campaigns
 and causes through technology.
Why Shadow?
When a light is shining, Shadows are a constant companion. We see ourselves as building a long-term, side-by-side “Shadow†of tech infrastructure to the Democratic Party and the progressive community at large.
--- End quote ---
:silly:
Fishrrman:
I can see the headline:
Panic in Ratville!
mountaineer:
Brian Fung is the tech reporter for CNN:
Brian Fung @b_fung
I visited Shadow Inc.’s address listed in the Iowa Dems’ disclosure filings. It led to a WeWork in this trendy Washington alley (steps from Maydan and La Colombe). But a receptionist told me Shadow moved out last month to an unknown destination. ??? https://cnn.com/2020/02/04/politics/iowa-caucus-app-issues/index.html
12:37 PM · Feb 4, 2020
-----------------------
Rob Galbraith @RobGalbraithLS
Replying to @b_fung
A different address listed for Shadow Inc (on Biden, Buttigieg, and Texas Dems' filings) is a mansion in Calabasas. There was a company called Shadow Inc incorporated in California at that address in 1979, but filed paperwork to dissolve in December 2005.
2:57 PM · Feb 4, 2020·
-----------------------
Brian Fung @b_fung
Meanwhile, we’re beginning to get comments from others who have used Shadow’s products, including Buttigieg’s campaign, Texas Dems and Wisconsin Dems. They all say they hired Shadow only for its voter texting service:
Problematic software used in Iowa caucuses also set to be used in Nevada, sources tell CNN
12:59 PM · Feb 4, 2020
-----------------------
Brian Fung @b_fung
But it seems Shadow’s experience in technology may be rather limited beyond that. One Democratic official told me their conversations with Shadow suggested software development was “not their area of expertiseâ€:
1:01 PM · Feb 4, 2020
-----------------------
Brian Fung @b_fung
Our own look at the LinkedIn profiles of some of Shadow’s employees seems to underscore that impression.
1:03 PM · Feb 4, 2020
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[*] Previous page
Go to full version