Washington Lobbyists Try To Save Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas)

[big_dog]

Source: The Hill

Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) is leaning heavily on K Street as he tries to save the Senate seat he’s held for 18 years. Roberts has been burning up the phone lines in a frantic bid to keep pace with Greg Orman, the wealthy self-funded independent who is leading the incumbent by 10 points, according to one poll released Sunday.

“The old man is raising 100 grand a day. I’m serious. Ask any lobbyist of anyone in Washington if they’ve gotten a call from Pat Roberts. He’s stepping up,” said one Republican source close to the campaign. “It’s amazing what a little fear will do to somebody,” the source added. A survey of prominent Republican lobbyists revealed that Roberts, the senior Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, is reaching far and wide to collect chits he’s earned over 34 years in Congress.

“I got a call from Pat; I was glad to get it. I think he’s a great senator. I’ve known Pat a long time.” said former Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.), who is now a lobbyist with Greenberg Traurig. K Street is a valuable resource for Roberts but relying on it carries risks, when many voters have a sour view of Washington. A new NBC-Marist poll released on Sunday showed Orman had opened up a 10-point lead on Roberts, and only 37 percent of those polled had a positive opinion of the incumbent. Forty-seven percent gave a negative response.

Roberts has worked through his extensive Rolodex to convince potential donors he has changed the campaign’s momentum and is now trending up. “I got a call from him, and I’ve given all I can to help. I was doing it before the call, and it’s good to know he’s working hard,” said Matt Keelen, president of The Keelen Group and a major Republican fundraiser.

Read more: http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/219954-k-st-tries-to-save-roberts

[RKP5637]

1. First, Pat, try living in Kansas. n/t

[KansDem]

5. I can't believe he claims to represent Kansas when he doesn't even live here!

I say send him home to Virginia!

[atreides1]

8. We don't want him in Virginia

He spends most of his time in D.C. anyway, he can live there...maybe Marion Barry needs a room mate!

[tridim]

2. I'm in trouble, give me free money!!!!!!11

GOP welfare.

[Fred Sanders]

3. Instead of running on policies to attract voters he runs for more cash. It is what they do.

[Cracklin Charlie]

6. Of course he is...

And the donors are so proud of him for it.

"He's stepping up"
"He's working hard"

I would think it would be easier to work for your constituents, and earn their votes. I can't wait to see him blubbering on teevee, after his defeat.

[big_dog]

7. all of his buddies have retired and are on the lobbyist dole

his real constituitents

[louis-t]

4. Works a lot harder at raising money for re-election

than working for his state.

[SoapBox]

9. He doesn't even "live" in Kansas?

That needs to be plastered all over the place.

[douggg]

10. Proud Virginian Pat Roberts

can find Kansas on a map.

[pipoman]

11. Orman was in my restaurant the other night

I was out of town and missed it, several people (whose opinion I trust) liked him. Those on the right liked him but disagreed with some of his positions, on the left the same. He will win this election. The word on the street at ground zero is that Roberts may be demented (in the clinical sense). His appearance at the Kansas state fair was not his best work. ...I don't think he's actually been on the ground here.