House Dems Largely Ignoring Lobbyists — is that a BAD thing?

NYCGirl

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:05 PM
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House Dems Largely Ignoring Lobbyists — is that a BAD thing?

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/111605/kstreet.html

Following electoral triumphs this fall, House Democratic leaders are meeting with Democratic lobbyists today in a bid to translate the party’s widespread enthusiasm into cash to fill campaign coffers.

Yet the meeting, one of a number of its kind, comes as some lobbyists are grumbling that they have not been enjoying the same access to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) as they have in the past.

House Democrats’ campaign chief, Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) are set to meet with lobbyists this afternoon to trumpet the party’s recent wins and preview competitive races in 2006, Democratic sources said.

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ClintonTyree

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:11 PM
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1. No, it's NOT a bad thing.

The less the Democratic Party is beholding to these lobbyists the better off the Party is. Not being bought and sold by Corporate America is a GOOD thing. It means we're all going to have to pony up larger sums to keep our Party competitive, but I'd much rather do that than sell our souls to Corporate masters like the Repiglickens have.
The Democratic Party is wholly owned and subsidized by THE PEOPLE, not Corporate America! :patriot:

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jackster

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:12 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. AMEN!

The people are not represented by the lobbyists - the corporations are - it's about time SOMEONE started ignoring them!

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NYCGirl

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:14 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. It's funny the way that article spins it — like the Democrats are

doing something wrong by not paying more attention to these (for the most part) bloodsuckers.

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Roland99

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:16 PM
Response to Reply #1

6. Senators represent their STATE...Reps. represent their CONSTITUENTS!

Let the lobbyists go to the STATE or to the CONSTITUENTS.

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Canuckistanian

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:14 PM
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3. Lobbyists are the leaches on a democratic society

Sure, I know, there are lobbyists for The Sierra Club and consumer groups and free speech advocates, but if the system were working the way it's supposed to, lobbyists shouldn't be needed.

And lobbyists are always paid by fairly well funded organizations, which leave out the poor and their views entirely.

And it wouldn't even be so bad if lobbyists were from their own industries with a professional interest in their own issues. But instead, most are former politicians or staffers or government bureacrats.

It's basically a whoring profession now and most have dollar signs in their eyes.

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Lasher

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:15 PM
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5. DeLay has refused to meet lobbyists who are contributing repugs

All others have been told to take a walk. This was intended to ensure that lobbying firms hire repug cronies, and that they contribute to repug politicians.

I believe this must have been somewhat successful. If so, most lobbyists would by now be repugs. Maybe Nancy feels like she doesn't need to meet with lobbyists unless they are contributing Democrats.

Just a guess.

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KurtNYC

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:34 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. Eewww - I hate to think she is taking a page from Delay's playbook

Possibly Dems want to make ethics central to the 2006 races and are avoiding any lobbyists who would seem sleazy (which cuts out most of them)?

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NYCGirl

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Wed Nov-16-05 04:40 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. I'm hoping your second idea is the right one! NT

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