Obama starts making good on his promise. Lobbyists howl.
CQ Politics | Lobbyists Stew After Being Bounced From Boards
A tide of anger and dismay is rippling down K Street as the Obama administration implements a new policy limiting the roles of lobbyists on federal advisory committees.The policy change, described by the White House as the next step in President Barack Obama ’s drive to limit influence-peddling in Washington, could affect hundreds of lobbyists who serve on the panels, which were created by Congress in the 1970s to provide private-sector advice to the government.
“FURY”? but why? oh.. Obama didn’t come hat in hand and say “Massah Lobbyist, I done want to end yo influnce”?“There is fury,” said a lobbyist who sits on one of the committees. “Absolute fury.” K Street veterans say they sit at the intersection of policy wonk-dom, Washington savvy, and the needs of business, and are therefore best suited to populate the panels.
…K Street sources describe a process they say was completely opaque and undertaken without their input. Several lobbyists who sit on the panels said they were not consulted and don’t know of anyone who was. Indeed, some sources on the panels contacted just before the Sept. 23 announcement said they were either unaware of the new policy or had heard little more than rumors.
“This was done in a vacuum,” said another business lobbyist who sits on one of the panels. “The decision was made in a room of the White House without consultation.”
The thing that worries me, is these lobbyists are part and parcel of the screeling against this administration. Will the untoward, seditious speech grow more shrill,now that the elephant is wounded more deeply?
We need to remember, that Labor and his other allies are also being removed:
Administration allies in labor and elsewhere will not be spared.Should be interesting.“The President recognizes that some lobbyists advocate for public interest goals shared by this Administration,” Eisen wrote. “Nevertheless, the President made a commitment to the American people to reduce the influence of lobbyists in Washington.”


