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TechnoratiObama Acts To Drive The Lobbyists Out of Washington
The leader of Barack Obama's transition team has delivered some bad news to the hordes of lobbyists plying their trade in the fancy restaurants and faceless offices along Pennsylvania Avenue: they are not welcome.
![[A dog passes in front of a mural painting of US President-elect Barack Obama in Venice Beach, California. Mr Podesta, Obama's transition manager, unveiled what he said was "the strictest, the most far-reaching ethics rules of any transition team in history," and declared "that the undue influence of Washington lobbyists and the revolving door of Washington ceases to exist." (AFP/Gabriel Bouys)]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/obama1113.jpg "obama1113.jpg")
John
Podesta, the transition chief, has revealed a set of draconian new
regulations aimed at curbing the excessive influence of lobbyists, as
Mr Obama promised throughout his election campaign. They are to be
denied their normal role of greasing the wheels of the new
administration's costly transition to power by paying for office space
and staff between now and the inauguration on 20 January.
Mr Podesta unveiled what he said was "the strictest, the most far-reaching ethics rules of any transition team in history," and declared "that the undue influence of Washington lobbyists and the revolving door of Washington ceases to exist."
The White House and the Capitol are the two most impressive buildings in Washington but power is really along Pennsylvania Avenue and K Street, where the top-tier lobbyists arrange access to decision-makers and cut backroom deals for special interest groups.
Now, in the dying days of the Bush administration, an unprecedented frenzy is under way as Washington's legal and lobbying establishment tries to get its hands on some of the $700bn (£470bn) financial rescue package for clients before a deadline of tomorrow.
One of the top firms is Alston & Bird, which boasts it has the former Republican presidential contender and senator, Bob Dole, on its books. But Democrats are no slouches at lobbying either. The national co-chair of Mr Obama's election campaign, former Senator Tom Daschle also works for Alston & Bird though not, we are assured, as a registered lobbyist. Instead he provides "high level advisory and strategic advice" to the company.
To cope with the crush of lobbyists at its doors, the Treasury Department hired Jeb Mason, a 32-year old Texan who wears cowboy boots and hat to work. A former White House aide of the political adviser Karl Rove, he is now the point of call for the hired guns of the banking industry, insurance and credit card companies lining up to get some of the taxpayers' billions.
Talking about the dozens of phone calls and emails he gets from lobbyists, he told the New York Times, "this must have been how the Politburo felt".
Mr Obama's transition team is planning to hire about 450 people, who will be divided between Washington and Chicago, at a cost of about $12m. Less than half of that amount will be paid for from the public purse and Mr Obama is planning to fund the rest by asking the more than 3 million people who poured small amounts of money into his campaign to make up the rest. No incoming president before him has had access to such a potential well of money and his team has already sent out emails offering "Victory T-shirts" in return for fresh contributions.
Ever since Ronald Reagan's day, corporations and law firms have picked up the tab for presidential transitions. To avoid even the appearance of abuse, the Obama team is limiting private donations to a maximum of $5,000 and will disclose the names of all donors. "So you'll see our contributions... to the transition prior to the inauguration, yes," Mr Podesta said.
One problem the Obama transition team faces is that some of the brightest Washington brains it might want to hire for the transition and later in government are already registered lobbyists. "I've heard the other complaint, which is we're leaving all these experts on the side... We're leaving all the people who know everything out in the cold," Mr Podesta said. "And so be it."
Mr Podesta, who is himself the head of a think-tank, the Centre for American Progress, says that any lobbyists who are hired will be banned from working in areas for which they have previously lobbied.
And anyone who turns to lobbying after gaining insights and contacts working on the transition for the next 69 days, will be barred for 12 months from lobbying the new administration on a subject area they worked on.
The restrictions are viewed as pious hopes by many in Washington. Former president Bill Clinton tried to restrict lobbyists and failed. President Bush did little to stop their growth and they are now a multibillion-dollar business of influence. Even if Mr Obama succeeds in limiting their access to his administration, Congressmen and women are particularly soft targets. For many politicians, getting elected and serving a term or two is merely a rite of passage on the road to a lucrative Pennsylvania Avenue career.
30 Comments so far
Show AllHope they succeed in this endeavour. The permeating corruption is nauseating.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?
Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
- One of the last notes left behind by Gandhi in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought.
Evil has only one tool - that is the disruption of peace - it is applied in infinite ways but it is always the same tool - JC
Shouldn't transition be a routine budget item or a special allocation by Congress? Why so open to abuse?
Joe
the "bunk crap" that's happened under the watch of democrats??? oh, i thought bush and cheney had been in control of the situation for the last eight years? where the hell have i been? i guess that bunk crap would apply to the current low prices of crude oil (hence the current price for gas that you're breathing a sigh of relief over each time you fill up your tank). if you're going to blame the democrats for everything, then give them credit for something.
the man's not even sworn in, his powers are very limited at the moment, yet he is trying to make change, even in this situation. analyze him after his first 100 days.
i suspect that the popular vote was not nearly as close as final numbers have indicated, thanks in no small part to diebold. if the real numbers were to be posted, the landslide would be elevated to a crushing avalanche. that of course, would not bode well for the repulsicans, or even for the third party supporters. talk about low morale.
he's already a better president than bush could ever be in a thousand years, simply by the fact that he has a basic grasp of the english language. as well as the admiration and hope and respect of the majority of the planet's peoples. the repulsicans, even in their wettest dreams, could only hope for as much.
What a brilliant way to begin a presidency. Sadly, someone should have done it long before now. Go Obama!
Gagging the lobbyists would be an excellent way to start the festivities. The myriad Bush cronies recently out of a job are the very ones lining up to talk to the Crony in Cowboy Boots. To see them fail would be delightful indeed. Maybe they'll be looking for real jobs for the first time ever.
Wish he would drive the Zionists out of Washington, that would be a good start.
DWIGHT BAKER
I believe the only tried and true way to get rid of the lobbyist is to restrict how much they say and do and write for those in the CONGRESS and SENATE.
1. The other plan would be to restrict and reduce how much those law firms could be paid by whomever for whatever.
2. The other plan would be to bar all of the LOBBYIST and their staffs from all the offices of the CONGRESS and SENATE.
3. The other plan would be to issue all of them name tags that must be worn all the time to show their movement via satellite in and around Washington DC.
4. The other plan would be to instruct the IRS and FBI and whomever we have to keep a close watch on their dealings etc.
5. Bottom line they are not a part of our GOVERNMENT they are there because over the years they have abused their privileged of having access to our lawmakers, executives and judges so that is that time for them to move on out, maybe they could all get offices in NEWARK NJ.
Getting rid of corporate control of govt is essential for this country to regain stability, respect, and wealth. Corporate greed and white collar crime have sullied our reputation and taken out the economy. These companies could not have done this without govt complicity, and they got that by paying for it. Good idea to sever the bond there, but I'll believe it when I see it. I have nothing against Obama but after all he's a politician, cut from the same cloth as they all are. Oh, sure, they'll make a show of "cracking down," an expression that has become so hollow as to be a joke, but in the end I won't be at all surprised to find just more foxes guarding the henhouse, and corporate CEO's laughing all the way to the bank, if they can find a bank that's still standing. To think Obama's going to be different is probably naive, but I'd be thrilled to find out he really is all he talks himself up to be. BTW I don't think anything would've been one iota different whether we elected Obama or McCain. It's not a party issue, it's just that we keep getting elected officials from the same pool.
Nice comment. Though I hope you are mistaken about the last part and we do get the real deal in Obama.
St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, and has become the cause of annual drunkeness since
The Pied Piper drove the rats out of Hamlin, (and later kidnapped 130 children from the town in revenge for non-payment of his bill)
Will Obama become known as Pied, or Pie-eyed, for driving the lobbiests from Washington?
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
"St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, and has become the cause of annual drunkeness since"
And a happy day it is too.
For all the Obama-bashing going on around this site, this is a first step in the right direction. He is not our president yet, and although we must push him, when he begins to make changes in the right direction we must support him. If we continue to bash even his truly correct moves what incentive is there for him to continue on the right path?
Lobbying is a huge problem in Washington, and any step to block the influence of these lobbyist is a step in the right direction. If this idea continues and stays true it will be a radical change, one much needed. Let us praise him for this move while he still backs it, or it may negatively influence him to abandon it.
“Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are anger and courage. Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be.”
-- St Augustine of Hippo
You make a terrible troll. :-)
I agree it's a step in the right direction but there are many here who wouldn't be happy even if Obama got on a bulldozer and personally razed K-Street. Not surpisingly, the election results didn't change their opinion of him. They have a knee-jerk 'Obama is always wrong' attitude that is as senseless as a knee-jerk 'Obama is always right'.
Prior to the election I think the Obamanots were capable of doing some damage, and if the election had been closer, they might have been more of a factor in helping McCain. Now I think they may actually do some good by inspiring people to work on building stronger third parties and providing a balance to the discussion of issues.
ctrl-z
Don't be fooled my wicked step-child; This man is nothing more than a lesser evil? WTF?
How awesome he takes a shot at the Snakes, but it is Inviolate;
If Obama cured all the world's ills overnight, all sickness, all pestilence disease and famine, all war; he would be soundly condemned for this transgression by many, and in fact they flock to CD like cockroaches in a Florida Motel 6.....Dude has a tough audience.
How WAS he elected?
Suspended 4th's.
"..in fact they flock to CD like cockroaches in a Florida Motel 6.."
lol - Best description of the day.
BTW - Did you see the thread where we were roundly condemned by the pit vole? Still, I think we need to cut the Obamanots some slack. It hasn't been a good month for them. :-)
I missed our latest evisceration, darn too, they cling like rats to the sinking ship of their ObamaBashing.....
ctrl-z, The echoes of their hateful onslaught still peel the paint from my walls.
They get mercy when the Swear Allegience to Obama and the Democratic Party in all in permutations.
Their Ship Sank. Drag.
I couldn't agree more.
I don't understand why progressives won't support Obama. How else will we end the wars, end spying, restore civil liberties, repeal NAFTA, repeal the PATRIOT Act, repeal the bail-out, establish universal healthcare etc...?
How? By electing McCain?
People want Obama to be perfect, and even though he nearly is, for some that's just not good enough. There might have been some minor differences between Obama, and say, Nader. But they were minuscule compared to the enormous differences between war-monger McCain and anti-war Obama.
Personally, I have never been so proud to call myself an American. I even feel that for the first time it might be possible to transform our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan from their deplorable current states, into a real effort to bring humanitarian relief, security, and democracy to those shattered countries. Remember that crisis precipitates change.
While I agree with you that people are pretty cynical about Obama's message of change (myself included) and aren't giving him the benefit of the doubt.. can you blame them? Just look up all the bunk crap that's happened under the watch of Democrats, and look at their performance in the Senate and Congress over the past two years.
"There might have been some minor differences between Obama, and say, Nader. But they were minuscule compared to the enormous differences between war-monger McCain and anti-war Obama."
You obviously haven't spent very long comparing third party candidates and their platforms to Obama's if you can say this with a straight face.
While Obama is certainly better than McCain, the differences between Obama and the policies of Nader or Cynthia Mckinney are vast. Perhaps you should take the time to look into what third party candidates actually represent.
"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?" -Epicurus
crtl-z sez: "... there are many here who wouldn't be happy even if Obama got on a bulldozer and personally razed K-Street."
***
Having suggested that very solution in the past, I promise to race to the front of the line to give him a virtual pat on the back if he does. And will break into a chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" if he follows up by making it a public park.
Meanwhile, though, this feels more like replacing the Pork Barrel Saloon's revolving door with a set of Wild West batwings.
yeah...right...i believe you.
Nothing will change unless 'Corporate Citizenship' is revoked.
Correct exactly. Let's give Obama a chance.
Absolutely correct!
The Obama team is setting some restrictions on the "revolving door" but this is lipstick on a pig.
A step on a road to reigning in the domination of our politics, economy, and society by corporations? Of course that is not where we are headed.
We need laws by Congress, signed by the President to set strict limitations on the activities of lobbyists: may meet and speak with government representatives and employees; may give print or electronic documents; may NOT give ANY gifts, any food, throw any parties, sponsor any events, NOTHING.
On leaving their jobs, all government representatives and employees barred for two years from ALL paid lobbying activity; barred for ten years from any paid lobbying of the branch or department in which they had their government office or job; and barred for two years from ANY job (lobbying or any other job) with a business in an industry over which their department held regulatory or oversight authority.
AND, amend the US Constitution, simply defining what is meant by "person", to end the absurdity, upheld in court rulings, that corporations are some sort of "persons" with claims to civil and human rights under the Constitution.
Visit the Program on Corporations Law and Democracy, www.poclad.org
That would be a very good start. Too bad most people don't know what you're talking about.
'Don't get fooled again' - Pete Townsend
Obama Acts To Drive The Lobbyists Out of Washington? This is orwellian double speak. Obama will be a different head on the same pig people. CFR and Bilderberger approved for the NWO agenda.
Wake up people! SOSDD!
More O-blah-ma blah, blahing. Read carefully people and look at who's doing the talking - lobbyists who are running the transition. They are only talking about individually federally registered lobbyists. Why does that matter? If the firm you work for is a lobbying firm but individually you're not registered - guess what? You qualify for the O-blah-ma government. Pay attention, people. You've already been fooled again.
Lobbyists hate competition from other lobbyists.
But it would be a good start. And it might serve as a contrast for Congress.