Businesses pander to politicians all the time, but usually behind the scenes. They donate campaign funds. They -- nudge nudge wink wink -- promise pols and staff jobs when they leave government. And so forth. Rarely do they back one side or another with public pronouncements. I remember how surprised I was to see an "O'Malley" sign on the lawn of the First Mariner Bank branch near where I live in the last gubernatorial election.

Even more rarely do they use partisanship as a marketing strategy. Whey hack off half your potential customers if you can avoid it? Some company called CREDO Mobile seems to trying it out. In my Inbox this morning, sent out by the Democratic machine:

Dear Jay,
Real healthcare reform is within reach this fall, but we're fighting tooth-and-nail against insurance lobbyists, Republicans, BlueDogs, FOX News, and Obamahaters marching in Washington. To win, we need the support of every ally we can find.
CREDO Mobile has been a great ally in this fight. Won't you consider making them your phone company?
Bob Fertik

And:

Is Your Phone Company Fighting for Real Healthcare Reform?

Unless you're with CREDO Mobile, the answer is probably "no." We're a different kind of company - one that's driven not by the bottom line, but by a belief. A belief that we can make the world a better place, including achieving the goal of health care for all Americans.

Memo to cell phone customers and everybody else: If you want health care reform, don't worry about CREDO. Call your congressman and senator.