You see, they’re people, too. Except, of course, when Barack Obama & Co. is running against them as if they’re a Republican institution that needs to be rooted out to fix Washington. Then attacking someone’s mother or father is just okey dokey.
In his historic speech Tuesday morning, President Barack Obama said the era of “protecting narrow interests” is over – an echo of his campaign promise that lobbyists and special interests would lose their clout in his White House. But lobbyists still have defenders in Washington D.C., including one of Obama’s most powerful allies, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada).
Reid invited top lobbyists to join him and his supporters for an inaugural brunch Monday where he told ABC News that he will still do plenty of business with them.
“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” said Reid. “And Obama will be meeting with them too.” When asked to clarify his remarks, given Obama’s promises to change that part of Capitol culture, Reid responded that lobbyists are part and parcel of the job.
“People should understand that lobbyists, per se, are someone’s father, mother, son, daughter,” said Reid. “They work for a living.” The Democratic leader’s sons and a son-in-law have worked as lobbyists.
Meet the new bosses. Same as the old bosses. Top lobbyists invited to dine with powerful Senators and the White House meeting with said lobbyists? Weren’t we promised a change from the old ways of Washington? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that we were lied to.
by Stephan Tawney on Tue, Jan 20, 2009