Public Campaign Action Fund - lobbying

All For It

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:30:06 -0500

The Hill interviewed Democratic lobbyist Jack Quinn for today's issue and after prodding him on his contributions to Democratic presidential candidates they took his temperature on the latest lobbying restrictions and on what changes he might make to how campaigns are financed. His answers help show the real breadth of support for full public financing of campaigns.

Oh Breaux-ther

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:12:22 -0500

There more fuel for the Trent Lott speculation fire. Rumors are circulating that when the Senator vacates his post he'll join former Democratic Senator Jon Breaux in forming something of a lobbying empire.

Thanks a Lott

Adam Smith and Katie Schlieper — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:36:13 -0500

As soon as Sen. Trent Lott (R-MI) announced that he would be stepping down as minority whip of the U.S. Senate, Washington tongues started wagging about where he might be job hunting. After all, by stepping down now, before December 31, he won’t be subject to a new Senate ethics rule that would keep former members of Congress away from lobbying for two years. Right now, he’ll only have to sit out a year before directly lobbying his former colleagues.

Revolving Door

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:27:00 -0500

Another former aide to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) rushes into the warm embrace of the lobbying sector. Lesley Elliot, a former legislative aide, will lobby for online travel site Expedia on tax policy -- a favorite subject of McConnell's of late (via PageOne Kentucky). Hey, it's all about who you know.

Throwing Good Money After Bad

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:04:12 -0500

Erik Prince, chairman of Blackwater, played (and paid) the Washington game to win millions in government contracts and keep oversight on the lax side. He'll play the game again to keep them in the face of allegations over Blackwater's conduct in Iraq. Hiring a stable of lobbyists, including one with ties to Jack Abramoff, to play Appropriations hardball, Prince isn't letting a little thing like a congressional hearing get in the way of business.

The Doughnut Dilemma

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:34:43 -0500

Here's what happens on Capitol Hill when you change the rules but not the game: a bunch of lobbyists and their legal advisors get together to hammer out a policy on tuna sandwiches. As new lobbying regulations go in to effect cutting into the lavish dinners and other events lobbyists had previously held to woo members of Congress, they're putting their heads together to find all the loopholes.

A Part of This Complete Democracy

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:11:25 -0500

Ross Baker has a piece in defense of lobbying in USA Today which reaches aaaaaall the way back to James Madison and his concerns over the potential of one interest group to dominate another to the detriment of society. Baker's right that lobbying isn't in and of itself wrong -- in fact it's part of a healthy democracy -- but not all lobbying is created equal.

Ethics Bill Becomes Law

Adam Smith — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:11:09 -0500

On Friday, President Bush signed into law the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (S. 1)--one of the most sweeping ethics and lobbying reform bills in decades. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) said the bill was "the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate."

When the lobby-ee becomes the lobby-er

Adam Smith — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:10:25 -0500

This is just another example of Washington's revolving door. One day you're being lobbied and the next you're doing the lobbying.

What Exactly is "Lobbyist Money"

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:32:23 -0500

CQPolitics digs in to the campaign promises of John Edwards and Barack Obama to not accept direct contributions from federal lobbyists in their respective bids for the White House. Emily Cadei spoke with Public Campaign's Nick Nyhart for the article, and he talked about why this promise, though a good start, does not fully address the way lobbyist cash can influence elections.