Scott Howell

Scott Howell, a Republican strategist who is president of the Dallas, Texas-based Republican media firm Scott Howell and Company, was hired by George Allen of Virginia and Senator Jim Talent of Missouri, "Republicans who are facing re-election bids this fall." 

"Facing an unexpectedly strong challenge from Jim Webb in the Virginia Senate race, Sen. Allen hires Scott Howell, the hardball playing 'Hitler' media guy, to craft his campaign advertising," Bill Berkowitz reported July 18, 2006, for Media Transparency.

Howell is not only "credited with being the mastermind of the happy, family-guy political ads that helped John Thune unseat Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle in 2004, but also is responsible for the so-called 'Hitler' ads that were a factor in the gubernatorial loss last year of death-penalty advocate Jerry W. Kilgore," Christina Bellantoni wrote July 7, 2006, in the Washington Times.

"Democrats detest him for his role in the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts in 2004, as well as for ads that helped defeat Sen. Max Cleland, Georgia Democrat, in 2002," Bellantoni wrote. "Howell was a media consultant for Republican Saxby Chambliss, who defeated Mr. Cleland. Mr. Chambliss ran ads showing photos of Mr. Cleland's face alternating with Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. Mr. Howell, who has done work for President Bush, has said he was not responsible for those ads."

"In 2002, Howell was the media consultant for Chambliss as well as Sens. Norm Coleman (Minn.) and Jim Talent (Mo.). Two years later, Howell helped elect Thune as well as Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) and appeared to have elected Dino Rossi as governor of Washington," Chris Cillizza reported in the Washington Post, February 2006. "Howell has a roster stacked with top-tier contests again in 2006. He will handle the television strategy for Talent's tough reelection bid against State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D), and he will serve as the media consultant for Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard's (R) challenge to Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D). In Minnesota, Howell will handle Rep. Mark Kennedy's (R) bid for the open Minnesota Senate seat, and down in Florida he is working for state CFO Tom Gallagher (R) gubernatorial campaign."

Howell was hired to work on the Rudolph Giuliani campaign in 2007. Howell's company included Heath Thompson who was later tied to the "PhoneyFred.org" mini-scandal that involved Mitt Romney operatives setting up an anti-Fred Thompson website.

Other Affiliations

 * Bob Dole (1988 presidential bid)
 * Republican National Committee (1988-1992)
 * Karl Rove (1992-September 1993 in Texas)
 * Scott Howell & Company (September 1993 to present)

Contact Information
Website: http://www.scott-howell.com/

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * Maverick Media
 * U.S. congressional elections in 2006
 * U.S. presidential election, 2004
 * U.S. presidential election, 2008