Public Campaign Action Fund - lobbyists

Another One Gone

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:00:37 -0500

Sen. John McCain's lobbyist-heavy staff took another loss today in the wake of news about the less than savory folks those lobbyists used to work for. Eric Burgeson, an energy lobbyist, was fired in accordance with the campaign's new conflict of interest policy. He worked for a firm that also handled lobbying for Serbia and Qatar according to Ben Smith at Politico.

More in McCain's Lobbyists

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:23:18 -0500

The past client lists of the some of the lobbyists working for Senator John McCain's presidential campaign have been getting some attention. Here's another, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal. One of McCain's consultants, a lobbyist, was involved in a PR effort to improve the image of the Party of Regions, a Ukrainian political party with close ties to Russia, and a history of not taking well to opposition -- and being opposed by Senator McCain.

Fire the lobbyists

Adam Smith — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:54:38 -0500

This weekend, word leaked that Doug Goodyear, the man hired by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to run the GOP convention this summer, had represented the brutal military regime in Myanmar.One down, over 100 more to go.

Cash of Thorns

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:21:22 -0500

There's a thornbush, I'm pretty sure it's the acacia, from which it is impossible to extricate yourself quickly or smoothly. Once you get swallowed by it it's slow, torturous work to get yourself out -- kind of analogous to escaping the snare of lobbyist contributions if you're politician. This article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle chastises for giving in to the siren song of lobbyist money (can the acacia bush produce a siren song? discuss) and compromising their integrity with every dollar deposited and round of golf played.

Donkeys and Elephants, Giving Together

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:30:37 -0500

Today's Politico notes the trend among stalwart Republican lobbyists and ex-legislators of giving an increasing amount of money to Democrats as the "price of doing business" with a Democrat-controlled Congress. Among those writing checks across the aisle is lobbyist and ex-Rep. Bob Livingston (R-LA), for whom apparent contradiction is the order of day: according to the article his big clients include Northrup Grumman and the Girl Scouts. Now there's a merit badge opportunity.

Back in Black

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:42:26 -0500

United Press International has a short piece up on the close relationship between lobbyist Charlie Black and Sen. John McCain. The relationship, which helped solidify McCain's conservative credentials has cast doubt on just how committed McCain is to fighting special interest influence in Washington.

Coverage of Letter Drop

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:24:41 -0500

Lots of coverage on our efforts yesterday to deliver our letter and all 9,000+ accompanying signatures to Sen. John McCain asking for his support for full public financing for all federal campaigns for office. We'll have pictures and video from the high-dollar fundraiser in downtown DC where we delivered the letter, for now here's what the Politico, Boston Globe, and Roll Call had to say about our campaign.

Signed, Sealed

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:08:27 -0500

Seems Republican lobbyists are closing ranks around Sen. John McCain, hosting an exclusive, high-dollar fundraiser (full article only available to Roll Call subscribers) for him in Washington, DC tomorrow night -- the venue is the Willard Hotel which is a block from the White House and which, rumor has it, was the birthplace of the term "lobbyist." Got your $2,300 ready?

Sigh No More, Lobbyists

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:21:43 -0500

Gosh. It's hard being a lobbyist these days. No more expensing steak dinners for Senators, dropping boxes of Godiva off for staffers, or putting half the House Finance Committee on a Gulfstream bound for a Aruba and a dubious "fact-finding mission." Some candidates are even wary of taking their money. How can they work under these conditions?! Perhaps they can dry their tears of privation on the sharp green edges of the 2.9 billion dollars they made this year.

Extracurricular Lobbying

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:49:13 -0500

Even as Connecticut's legislative candidates have the chance to run with Clean Elections public financing for the first time this year, the state legislature is still chewing over ethics and corruption questions. Now they are debating whether to prohibit registered lobbyists from serving on state boards and commissions.