Hillary Rodham Clinton
Lobbyists Cheer Clinton's Comments
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards may be continuing to take swats at Hillary Clinton's statement on Saturday that she would not stop accepting money from lobbyists because they "represent real Americans."
But one group is feeling pretty good about Clinton's defense of the most maligned group in Washington -- the lobbyists themselves.
Brian Pallasch, who heads the American League of Lobbyists, said he was so thrilled with Clinton's unexpected defense of the profession, he sent news accounts of her remarks to his group's board.
"It's true!" Pallasch said of Clinton's "real Americans" rejoinder. "She's absolutely dead on."
Pallasch said the lobbying profession has taken it on the chin in the days since the Jack Abramoff scandal sunk into the public consciousness. When Obama and Edwards announced they would avoid money from Washington lobbyists (though at times accept the money from the special interests those lobbyists represent), Pallasch said his inclination was to stay out of it. "Our folks just decided to lay low."
So you can imagine his surprise when Clinton lept to the defense of lobbyists last weekend. "It's certainly their right, if they don't want to take money from a lobbyist. That's fine," Pallasch said. "But to somehow villify the profession in the process? That's wrong."
Added Pallasch: "I was glad it was said."
-- Matthew Mosk
Posted at 9:52 AM ET on Aug 7, 2007
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Hillary Rodham Clinton
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Posted by: padmanabhan40 | August 8, 2007 1:06 PM
We never learn our lessons in this country. Here we are in desperate need of intelligence in the white house after eight years of imbecility and we are getting ready to put a very stupid woman in charge. This is not a primary election but a beauty contest. It is not just a case of Dems vrs GOP. This electing a virtual monarch for eight years is a dangerously bad way to do things in this light speed age. Right now this country is operating on arrogance that it can't be brought down no matter the incompetence of our leaders. Think again. It is already far along the way. For some ideas on how to change direction I suggest a book called Parity Democracy that outlines what an ideal democracy should and should not be.
Posted by: e_wode | August 7, 2007 4:58 PM
As much as I would like to see the "glass ceiling" cracked and a female elected, it is obvious Hillary has all the moves of the corrupt male politician. Lobbyists do not need their egos massaged. Their bloated paychecks do that already, and they also have their government pensions to add to their corruption. Who wants to "make nice" to former Rep. (R.La) Billy Tauzin, who sold out the American public and immediately jumped ship and accepted a job as Chief Lobbyist for Big Pharma? What he did was criminal. Hillary, stop being so sweet.
Posted by: zaney | August 7, 2007 2:58 PM
Well, after hearing she accepted $800,000 from the health care industry, and now this comment?? I'm out! That settles it for me! I ain't voting for HER!
EDWARDS '08 ALL THE WAY!!!!!
Posted by: swtexas | August 7, 2007 2:27 PM
Obama is quoted on page A4 of the Post today as saying, "If you don't think lobbyists have too much influence in Washingtonk, then I believe you've probably been in Washington too long." Obama must have been thinking of Chris Van Hollen. Van Hollen has financed his campaigns with lobbyist money and now has escalated that practice to finance the campaigns of many other Congressmen with lobbyist money in his position as head of the Congrssional Campaign Committee. All while ignoring the importance of financing to end of the worst traffic gridlock in the Nation in Montgomery County.
Posted by: robinficker | August 7, 2007 11:43 AM
Why I am not surprised!
Posted by: shanay4363 | August 7, 2007 11:36 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Lobbying is legal and above board as a profession. Lobbyists need to register and have to work in the open. And like other vested interests lobbyists too need to build their support base by funding politicians. Hillary stated the obvious when she kept her options open when deciding to accept funds from lobbyists - unlike Edwards and Obama who accept money from those who either fund lobbyists or employees of these firms. Let them cut the hypocrisy and debate real issues with Hillary - if they can!