Democrats Benefiting From Post-Election Lobby Boom

[FreeStateDemocrat]

Source: Washington Post

By Matthew Mosk
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 14, 2008; Page A01

Barack Obama spent much of his presidential campaign decrying the influence of Washington lobbyists. In the 10 days since he was elected, he already has had an impact: He has touched off a mini-boom on K Street.

Top lobbying firms are gearing up to handle increased demand from corporate clients who fear that the Obama administration will expand its regulatory reach and target them for tax increases. Some firms, such as Patton Boggs, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and Alston & Bird, are also preparing for new business resulting from the ongoing effort to stabilize the economy.

And who is cashing in on this boom? Democrats who supported Obama, such as Jaime R. Harrison.

Harrison helped mobilize voter turnout for Obama in South Carolina, and for the past two years he directed floor operations for House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) -- credentials that made him a sought-after addition to firms looking for an edge in a new administration.

"I built a lot of strong relationships with members, as well as their staff, and some of my very best friends worked on the campaign," Harrison said. He will start with the Podesta Group next week.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

---

Business as usual, meet the new boss same as the old boss. Nader said there isn't any real difference between us and the pukes, they are both corporate whores who would approve a 700 bilion give-away to their corporate masters.

[armed_and_liberal]

1. At least they are ours

"Business as usual, meet the new boss same as the old boss. Nader said there isn't any real difference between us and the pukes, they are both corporate whores who would approve a 700 bilion give-away to their corporate masters."

I agree, but at the end of the day I would rather the whores belong to me than the GOP.

[ananda]

2. Really?

Whores are whores.

All of us are the losers.

[Le Taz Hot]

11. "Ours?"

You don't seriously believe they're lobbying on OUR behalf do you?

[Lasher]

3. Who gives a flying fuck what Nader says?

There are enormous differences between Democrats and Republicans, and particularly between Obama and Bush 43/McLame. What did you expect, that the fat cats wouldn't even try to gear up on K street? Is this supposed to mean Obama has sold out already?

[Wilms]

5. There is little difference between congressional Dems and Repubs on certain issues.

You really didn't need Nader to tell you that. Though his history seems to give people a reason to deny some of the inconvenient truths.

[Lasher]

7. I don't need Nader to tell me anything.

I take great exception to the claim that "...there isn't any real difference between us and the pukes." If we narrow the comparison to 'certain issues', we can find some areas where the differences are few.

There is a big difference between the general claim and one of limited scope.

[Wilms]

8. Exactly. And sometimes the "areas where the differences are few" are really serious.

Like the Iraq War.

[Lasher]

9. H.J.Res. 114, A joint resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq.

Senate Roll Call 237 October 11, 2002

There were 77 YEAs and 23 NAYs. Of the 23 who voted NAY, 21 were Democrats, 1 was Independent, and 1 was Republican.

House Roll Call 455 October 10, 2002

There were 296 YEAs, 133 NAYs, and 3 not voting. Of the 133 who voted NAY, 126 were Democrats, 1 was Independent, and 6 were Republicans.

Of all members of Congress who voted NAY, there were 21 times as many Democrats as Republicans.

[Wilms]

10. Agreed. But stated another way...

Senate Vote On Passage: H. J. Res. 114 <107th>: Authorization for Use of Military Force Against...

28 of the 77 votes in favor were Democrats

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2002-237



House Roll Call 455 October 10, 2002

81 of the 296 votes in favor were Democrats

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll455.xml


In each case Democrats gave Bush a decisive victory.

[Lasher]

12. As Putin said to Sarkozy, you have scored a point there.

Putin Sarkozy debate

But this example still supports my point, that there is a big difference between Democrats and Republicans in general, and specifically regarding the Iraq war. Most Congressional Democrats voted NAY and almost all Republcans voted YEA.

'Not as bad as' and 'better than' have exactly the same meaning.

[GreenEyedLefty]

4. Lobbyists have been around since the dawn of the republic...

I mean, people and entities can lobby all they want, but will they be able to influence the Obama administration? Only time will tell.

[Tempest]

6. You're jumping to conclusions

K Street can gear up all they want.

It doesn't mean they'll get what they want from Congress or Obama's administration.