Muir Russell reported Briffa’s claim that “Wahl was asked for comment on text as a knowledgeable and objective arbiter”. The indolent Muir Russell did not comment on whether Briffa’s description of Wahl as “objective” was plausible.
In a Climategate letter of July 27, 2006, Wahl wrote to Briffa (733. 1155402164.txt):
I’ve also been a lot involved with helping to get a person from the Pew Center for Global Climate Change ready to testify in front of the House Energy and Environment Committee tomorrow. That is why I couldn’t get this done and sent to you earlier today. Send Mike Mann and Jay Gulledge (Pew Center) all good thoughts for strength and clarity… Peace, Gene
An “objective arbiter” CRU-style.
Climate Audit 
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One of the undiscussed aspects of Muir Russell is the role of PR firm Luther Pendragon and its employees Mike Granatt and Kate Moffatt. The latter is profiled here as having also assisted Pew Charitable Trusts. All very “objective”, I’m sure.
The Pew trusts were funded by a fortune derived from petroleum (Sunoco). The intent was conservative, anti-bureaucracy. Now the Pew are purveyors of Big Government (cap and trade), justified by the Hockey Team. Hard to reconcile Pew’s current program with the intent of founders.
Pew linked also to Fenton via Ems (Environmental Media Services). Of course. Follow the money. Google gives many hits on the pairing.
And of course, EMS is the host for Real Climate.
Given that the subject was the relative evaluations of Mc&Mc(2005) and Wahl and Ammann(2006), it seems a prima facie conclusion that Wahl was not an objective reviewer.
The Bish will be liveblogging the Committee meeting.
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More evidence, if any were needed, that these people simply don’t care what the world in general thinks of them and their behavior.
I’m still digging away at Pendragon as I’m still sure I saw an interesting press release about them. They seem part of a small circle of PR types who may be helping spread the word of their sponsors and inserted themselves into the Russell review without much explanation other than a ‘thank you’. SMC at least got a bung from Russell for services rendered.
“The Pew Center on Global Climate Change is a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization” that doesn’t need to be told what to say, just how to say it.