Top Obama adviser is lobbyist for Pfizer, Carlyle Group, Monsanto and NRA and....

Moses Mercado joined the Barack Obama presidential campaign team and already he's making waves.

The waves are being generated by Mercado's other line of work -- as a lobbyist with Ogilvy Government Relations who is registered to represent several dozen big-name clients, including the National Rifle Association, the Carlyle Group, the Blackstone Group, Monsanto, Pfizer Inc., United Health Group, Sempra Energy and Constellation Energy.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/09/28/mercado_mosk.html



Hmmm.. Obama has lobbyists for big Pharma, energy and the NRA working on his campaign.

Obama Brings on Top Lobbyist


Obama and Hillary Clinton discussed the influence of health care lobbyists at an August forum. (AP).

Former Dick Gephardt presidential campaign adviser Moses Mercado hasn't even joined the Barack Obama presidential campaign team and already he's making waves.

Mercado, a veteran field man who organized Gephardt's primary operations in Arizona and New Mexico, and later John Kerry's general election operations there, confirmed he is finalizing plans to serve as a senior adviser to the Obama campaign.

The waves are being generated by Mercado's other line of work -- as a lobbyist with Ogilvy Government Relations who is registered to represent several dozen big-name clients, including the National Rifle Association, the Carlyle Group, the Blackstone Group, Monsanto, Pfizer Inc., United Health Group, Sempra Energy and Constellation Energy.

His resume seems to contradict one of Obama's central themes on the campaign trail -- that as an outsider he can fend of the powerful business interests that he has argued have contributed to the income gap between rich and poor and has frustrated attempts to address issues such as high prescription drug costs and global warming.

In a speech he gave in New Hampshire back in June, Obama singled out the role of lobbyists in the process. As the Chicago Tribune reported at the time, Obama "sought to make the case that the culture of influence in Washington affects the pocketbooks of Americans in myriad ways, from drug prices to student-loan interest rates -- both of which, he argued, are inflated through industry manipulation of public policy."

The story went on to quote Obama, saying: "What's most outrageous is not the morally offensive conduct on behalf of these lobbyists and legislators, but the morally offensive laws and decisions that get made as a result."

The Obama campaign said they have not settled on exactly what role Mercado will play, but he will not take on any job until he has ceased his lobbying work. Obama aides said yesterday no one can work on the campaign and still be registered on behalf of clients as a lobbyist, and Mercado will not be exempted from that requirement.

Mercado, who is close with Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, said his recent work as a lobbyist will not impede his ability to participate in a presidential campaign. He confirmed he would be taking a leave from Ogilvy, though the timing and temrs have not yet been ironed out.

"First and foremost, I'm an American and I participate in the process," he said. "That's the most important thing. I've always been involved in the process. That's why I'm going to be leaving , so that there isn't any question."

He said he was surprised anyone would take issue with his involvement. "I'm kind of honored that people are worried that I'm going to go work for Obama. It's good for the ego, I guess."





Why would they need to give money when they WORK FOR HIS CAMPAIGN?


"You've got to have a president in the White House who is not simply subject to the whims of corporate lobbyists" - Barack Obama

Anyone else think so?

while Hillary is a Monsanto woman.

Not saying this thread did not raise good points, which one of the Obama supporters below posted a good response to. But why do you guys act so immature? It happens on both sides, to be sure, but what's the point of this kind of infantile post?

I love kids myself.

Is this true?

Pathetic and predictable.

I don't know why on earth anybody would want to live in a house made of glass, but it takes all kinds.

start your own thread. Your diversion tactics are childish (and unsurprising).

Is the OP suggesting that Monsanto et. al. are, somehow, buying influence within the Obama campaign because lobbyists are working for it?

If that's the real question, what does the OP have to say about Countrywide Financial, Microsoft, Philip Morris, Occidental Petroleum, Bristol-Meyers, Entergy , Lockheed Martin, Texaco, AT&T, Allergen , Greece, Taiwan, Cyprus, Virginia Tech, Doha Qatar, Comcast, Sony Ericsson, Ikea, the National Fisheries Institute, Visa International and *ahem* Blackwater?

*crickets*

Hillary is open about her lobbyist connections. She doesn't campaign against lobbyists, or claim to be the champion of reducing lobbyist influence in Washington.

Obama does. Which is why his campaign being full of corporate lobbyist advisors for companies like Pfizer, Carlyle Group, Verizon, and others is an issue.

"You've got to have a president in the White House who is not simply subject to the whims of corporate lobbyists" Barack Obama


and if you had taken the time to read through the thread you would have already known this....now go to the back of the class.




.

My guess is that he cares about the people then.

http://www.ogilvygr.com/who/mercado.cfm

I guess this exclude Hillary Clinton as she was on the board of one of these big bad companies.

They know that Moses Mercado is a long-time Democratic congressional aide. That he took a leave from his position--as liaison to Congress for the firm. That he's worked for Howard Dean, Dick Gephardt, and John Kerry.

But, you know, they can always try again.

have not yet seen Mercado flex his muscles.

We do need a change from this crap but Obama is showing us daily that we are not going to get it. Only the lazy will buy into his empty slogans. Unfortunately, that is a big number.

SSDD. Maybe yet another reason why he won't debate Hillary - to scared to now have to discuss hiring lobbyists.

She will know about this and will dish it back.

I am starting to understand why Barack won't debate.

Jesus, how can our party base be so taken in by this guy? I pray he does not get the nod, but if he does his supporters are in for a huge eye opener during the election. And god forbid he wins the GE, you are going to see the dem equivelent of GW Bush running the country.

I am not thrilled with either.

Neither of them is particularly progressive. They're ok. I'll vote for whomever gets the nomination.

But this idea that somehow Obama is "pure as the driven snow" while Hillary is a "hate-filled corporatist hack" is just absurd. Their voting histories are virtually identical. Their platforms are virtually identical.

Obama supporters are getting a lot of mileage out of the fact that Obama didn't vote for IWR because he wasn't in the senate at the time. It's easy for him to say now that he wouldn't have voted for it, but the fact is that most Democrats did vote for it at the time, and nothing in Obama's senate record suggests that he would not have done so like the rest.

They're not bad candidates. They're not very different either.

Hillary is open about her lobbyist connections. She doesn't campaign against lobbyists, or claim to be the champion of reducing lobbyist influence in Washington.

Obama does. Which is why his campaign being full of corporate lobbyist advisors for companies like Pfizer, Carlyle Group, Verizon, and others is an issue.

"You've got to have a president in the White House who is not simply subject to the whims of corporate lobbyists"

put your helmet on!!


But this idea that somehow Obama is "pure as the driven snow" while Hillary is a "hate-filled corporatist hack" is just absurd. Their voting histories are virtually identical. Their platforms are virtually identical.

Obama supporters are playing right into the hands of the GOP. At least HRC supporters aren't so innocent. When the GOP/MSM get rid of her, they can sink him. Gotta make it look good and real...don't want the rest of the world to really know how it works here in the bastion of Democracy. Ha!

Are they just there for media relations and keeping an eye on the candidate to make sure he doesn't promise voters something they don't approve of?

Or is it to craft clever answers and policy points that make it appear the candidate is talking like a progressive, but really espousing a corporate friendly agenda.

It must be a new type of campaign job, either way.

Then he'll go back to them when they need a little muscle in The White House. This guy will have the ear of Obama at his beck and call. We may end up looking back on W's administration fondly.

At least we'll be getting a change.

Is that who we're talking about?

Lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, the Carlyle Group, the Blackstone Group, Monsanto, Pfizer Inc., United Health Group, Sempra Energy and Constellation Energy.

And Obama's platform against lobbyists is not just taking donations, but lobbyist INFLUENCE on policy in general.


"You've got to have a president in the White House who is not simply subject to the whims of corporate lobbyists" - Barack Obama

And

Obama's Hypocrisy?

Did you skim over that part? Or are you blatantly ignoring it.

You want me to be all up in arms over something that may or may not happen? Id rather wait till I have some real facts thanks.

This should be interesting.

You do know they are part of the Carlyle company, guess we shouldn't look for the capture of Osama bin Laden if he is elected

a Junior Senator/First Term ever in Congress can overwhelming out fundraise Senators such as Joe Biden and Chris Dodd twenty-fold...

Additionally, someone tell me just how much did Oprah actally do for the Obama Campaign BEFORE IT BECAME A CAMPAIGN? You know, while such organization can occurr before Campaign Financial Records are required? How much has Harpo Productions really provided to make OBAMA Oprah's Machine Toy Puppet ?

He has to have deep connections to get that kind of dough.

a Junior Senator/First Term ever in Congress can overwhelming out fundraise Senators such as Joe Biden and Chris Dodd twenty-fold...

Additionally, someone tell me just how much did Oprah actally do for the Obama Campaign BEFORE IT BECAME A CAMPAIGN? You know, while such organization can occurr before Campaign Financial Records are required? How much has Harpo Productions really provided to make OBAMA Oprah's Machine Toy Puppet ?

a Junior Senator/First Term ever in Congress can overwhelming out fundraise Senators such as Joe Biden and Chris Dodd twenty-fold...

Additionally, someone tell me just how much did Oprah actally do for the Obama Campaign BEFORE IT BECAME A CAMPAIGN? You know, while such organization can occurr before Campaign Financial Records are required? How much has Harpo Productions really provided to make OBAMA Oprah's Machine Toy Puppet ?

Do you think, as payback, she'd install her people into all cabinet positions?

Oprah loves a challenge, actually, she needed another challenge apparently and has created her "hollow-man monster", Obama.........She can set him up, keep him up in the promotional department but, she can not make him a true President. *bush, he is not a true President either. Oprah won't be able to protect him from the republicans......she is not bigger than the New World Order.

Or maybe not.

For fucks sake I wish people would learn to read!


"Former Dick Gephardt presidential campaign adviser Moses Mercado hasn't even joined the Barack Obama presidential campaign team and already he's making waves."

-and-

"The Obama campaign said they have not settled on exactly what role Mercado will play, but he will not take on any job until he has ceased his lobbying work. Obama aides said yesterday no one can work on the campaign and still be registered on behalf of clients as a lobbyist, and Mercado will not be exempted from that requirement. "

Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton Records on Transparency, Lobbyists, and Ethics

Please refer to this link: http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/barack-obama-vs-hillary-clinton-records-on-transparency-lobbyists-and-ethics/

This is a table and I don't know how to copy and paste it so please go to the link.

I don't think Obama said he was going to hire someone who is a lobbyist in his campaign, he said he wasn't going to have them in his Administration. There is a difference!

This is a clear issue of living up to his rhetoric. He claims to be against corporate lobbyist influence in Washington, yet he has lobbyists for every major corporate industry in America running his campaign.

Here is the difference:

Hillary is open about her lobbyist connections. She doesn't campaign against lobbyists, or claim to be the champion of reducing lobbyist influence in Washington.

Obama does. Which is why his campaign being full of corporate lobbyist advisors for companies like Pfizer, Carlyle Group, Verizon, and others is an issue.

"You've got to have a president in the White House who is not simply subject to the whims of corporate lobbyists" Barack Obama

be obligated to them. This blows the top off that one, not to mention all the money he has already taken from Exelon, Goldman Sachs, and MORE, MORE, MORE.

THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!

oh brother...

The mud slinging I've seen today is reaching its crescendo.

Sort of like Obama's delegate count.

or maybe not.

When are you guys going to start calling our argument "racist."

I haven't even seen what you'd call an argument yet.

That will not serve you well.

Those aren't exactly The Nature Conservancy, The United Farm Workers, or the California Teachers Assoc.

If he brings this kind of debts into his campaign, hard to imagine a time he won't have to provide a little thanks.

Future debates could be frisky if this comes to pass, after Obama calling Hillary to the carpet.

Revolving door influence peddling, with a little sanctimony and hypocrisy thrown in. I wonder if Obama will indeed accept this adviser before the primaries are complete.

Just what that I wrote that you take exception to escapes me, but your arrogance and tone do not. You and Tellurian must have a time, juntos.

If you regress (as your behavior shows you can), half a dozen posts (post 44), I have implied the same as you. But why waste my time with vitriolic spasms from a cheerleader who is obviously not a thinker.

I thought this was a forum for discussion and comments. Just where does your elevated significance come from other than you own ego driven perception of self. I've seen your posts, nothing original or earth shaking there. You are just another cheerleader.

by me. ;)

Go Obama! :patriot:

but you knew that.

or claim to be the champion of reducing lobbyist influence in Washington.

Obama does. Which is why his campaign being full of corporate lobbyist advisors for companies like Pfizer, Carlyle Group, Verizon, and others is an issue.

"You've got to have a president in the White House who is not simply subject to the whims of corporate lobbyists" Barack Obama

Um, whether the OP likes it or not, associating Obama with the NRA can only help him in WI, TX and OH.

Someone who hasn't even joined the campaign is now a "top adviser"? :wtf:

Moses Mercado hasn't even joined the Barack Obama presidential campaign team

Granted, people who aren't very intelligent tend to gravitate to supporting Hillaryworld (as has been proven in many studies/analysis), but if someone works for a government relations firm, that doesn't mean that they work for all the clients on that agency's entire client list. What I just wrote is already probably WAY over some people's heads. Are the receptionists at OgilvyGR supporters of the NRA?

From the site (http://www.ogilvygr.com/):



Here's a simple example. If you turn your TV on to NBC, are you then supporting the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF? NBC and GE and Lockheed Martin are all under one roof.

was he ever hired? I see your article is from September 2007. I believe he was never 'hired', but did volunteer his advice.

nt

"Former Dick Gephardt presidential campaign adviser Moses Mercado hasn't even joined the Barack Obama presidential campaign team and already he's making waves."

......

"The Obama campaign said they have not settled on exactly what role Mercado will play, but he will not take on any job until he has ceased his lobbying work. Obama aides said yesterday no one can work on the campaign and still be registered on behalf of clients as a lobbyist, and Mercado will not be exempted from that requirement. "

The candidates are average at best, and most of their supporters can't even rise that high.