Obama Staffer's Lobbying Work Runs Counter to Candidate's Guidelines, Ethics Watchdogs Say

[mountainvue]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/28/AR2008052802499.html?hpid=topnews

The co-director of Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Puerto Rico is a Washington-based federal lobbyist for the government of Puerto Rico.

This Story
On Policy, Obama Breaks Little New Ground
Obama Staffer's Lobbying Work Runs Counter to Candidate's Guidelines, Ethics Watchdogs Say
Ethics watchdogs said that the high-profile role of Francisco J. Pavía appears to contradict the Obama campaign's ethics guidelines, which forbid federal lobbyists from working on staff. But Obama spokesman Bill Burton said Pavía is an "active volunteer" -- not a paid staffer -- and can hold the job without running afoul of the campaign's rules.

snip

Pavía is not on leave from his law firm, Winston & Strawn, according to the managing partner of its Washington office, Thomas L. Mills.

But he has been an important part of the Obama campaign in Puerto Rico, which holds its Democratic primary Sunday. Obama wrote to Puerto Rico's State Elections Commission in March to designate Pavía and Andres Lopez as "our local representatives" to the commission. In May, Pavía and Lopez signed a posting on Obama's campaign Web site that identified them as co-directors of the Puerto Rico effort and solicited volunteers.

[cliffordu]

1. Well, then, we should run him out of the party, eh? Maybe make him

wear cheap suits or something.....

[mckeown1128]

2. lol that made me laugh.... nt

[Double T]

3. Perfect example of BO's lack of character.

Elitist above the rules, even his own.

[Occam Bandage]

9. He hasn't offered the guy a dime, and he hasn't taken a dime from him. He's following his rules.

[DesEtoiles]

4. ALL YOUR VOTES ARE BELONG TO HILLARY

[casus belli]

5. Obama's campaign has been clear and consistent on this point.

They will not except donations from lobbyists, nor will they offer paid positions to lobbyists who are still employed with a lobbying firm. However, they do and always have, accepted them as volunteers. I don't have a problem with that. Nor should you.

[cliffordu]

6. That guy isn't a lobbyist if he ain't getting paid - he's a hobbyist

[monomach]

7. A "lobbyist for the government of Peurto Rico?"

Ok, so.....





So what?

All the Senators chairing state campaigns for both candidates don't qualify as lobbyists just as much as this guy? He's not a real lobbyist. He represents a US territory.

[bridgit]

8. Um...Hillary lost right, so, um...I guess that's that...Viva le révolution!!

[MattP]

10. OH SNAPS!!!, If Obama gets in he is going to owe everything to lobbyists from Puerto Rico!!!

Puerto Rican Lobbyists are running wild.

[cliffordu]

11. It'll be the Sharks and the Jets alla time,

jest like in New Yawk!!

[bridgit]

12. Eh, who cares, those 'money gods' are a dime a dozen. Who knows just whom one will be...

Kowtowing to next anyhow :dilemma:

[scarletwoman]

13. This is just silly on its face! Read the 2nd sentence of the last paragraph:

Obama wrote to Puerto Rico's State Elections Commission in March to designate Pavía and Andres Lopez as "our local representatives" to the commission.

It seems to me that the Puerto Rico's State Elections Commission was apparently okay with this, or they would have objected in March. Who are these "ethics watchdogs" anyway? From the FEC? The Senate? The DNC? Homeland Security?

"Contrary to his guidelines" -- well they're HIS guidelines. I'd be concerned if he were actually violating some campaign RULE. But fudging a little on your campaign staff in Puerto Rico? PUERTO RICO? Come on.

What a puerile article.

sw

[intaglio]

14. two words

MARK







PENN




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