Astroturfing?

The Dom Post reports:

Anonymous internet comments praising Whanganui’s “celebrity” mayor Michael Laws have been traced back to his own publishing company.

A person using the pseudonym “Wangas” has praised Mr Laws on a variety of issues, including the “H” debate and television presenter Paul Henry’s use of the word “retarded” on air.

At least two of the comments were sent using an email address that can be linked to Mr Laws’ publishing company, Darius Press. …

When approached by The Dominion Post, Mr Laws said he did not write the internet comments himself – but they could have been made by people close to him.

“I don’t make anonymous comments, it’s not in my nature,” he said.

“All I can say is I don’t make anonymous comments and I’m not prepared to speculate who it could be.”

The mayor, newspaper columnist and radio host said he often commented online, but used his own name and made it clear that the comments were from him.

“I heartily enter in online debates.”

He said the email address linked to Darius Press was used by employees of his company, including people who did research, communications and website work.

He would not say how many people worked for Darius Press.

I don’t think it would be Laws. If he was astro-turfing, he is smart enough that he would set up a fake or generic e-mail address to use.