Former Sen. Chris Dodd Accepts Hollywood’s Top Lobbyist Job
- Posted on March 1, 2011 at 8:57pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Former Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn.
Former Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., has accepted a position as chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America.
What does Dodd know about making movies? It’s probably safe to guess not much, but his position as a veteran Washington insider uniquely qualifies him to inherit the position of Hollywood’s top lobbyist at the pro-business trade association.
Just one year ago, Dodd downplayed speculation he would take on a lobbying position after stepping down as one of the Senate’s longest-serving members.
“No lobbying, no lobbying,” Dodd told CTMirror.com at the time.
While it isn’t uncommon for former lawmakers to take positions as Washington lobbyists upon retirement, Dodd’s comments make his decision curious, The Hill notes.
Former lawmakers are legally prohibited from registering as a federal lobbyist for two years after leaving office, but they can join firms without directly lobbying member of Congress.
Dodd retired from the Senate in January after spending three decades in the nation’s capital. The former senator’s hiring had been rumored for weeks.
He will reportedly collect a $1.2 million salary.
Dodd follows other Washington veterans in leading the Tinseltown trade association. In May 1966, former special assistant to President Lyndon Johnson, Jack Valenti, took over the organization as MPAA president. During his tenure, Valenti introduced the movie ratings system to help parents decide which movies may be inappropriate for children.
After Valenti retired in 2004, former Kansas Congressman and President Bill Clinton’s U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman took the reigns.
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pap pap
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 3:12pmWhy does Hoolyweird need a lobbiest ???
Report Post »jerry1945
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 9:08amHe is a CROOK come home to roost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »VotersOfNY
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 7:43amI didn’t have much respect for MPAA to begin with, but now I have none at all. Why aren’t women screaming about this? Doesn’t anyone remember the waitress andwiches he and the murderer Ted kennedy would have when they were falling down drunk. Shame on you MPAA. Shame on you.
Report Post »Goldenyears22
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 2:22amI hope he is not received as a lobbyist at the nations capital. No more earmarks.
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 1:08amYeah, got to look out for the union brothers out there! Those poor film workers slaving away for peanuts really need someone to look out for them.
Report Post »Goldenyears22
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 2:23amNever cared for him as a senator, don‘t think I’ll care for him as a lobbyist.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 1:07amDodd wants money and Hollywood is in the propaganda business
Report Post »Large Eagle
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 1:07amAnother page another comment
Report Post »Barney & Dodd the abuse of banking
Large Eagle
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 1:05amThis confirms we are in the last days
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 1:05amFriend of Angelo
Report Post »is now
Tout of Los Angelos
LAM2
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 2:09amI once heard that politics is show biz for the ugly. Former Senator Chris Dodd hooking up with Hollywood…not quite sure how to characterize this….someone needs to help me out here…..
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 3:06amI thought they had to wait a year before they could register as a lobbyist for any organization – guess I was wrong again – at least on this one!!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-HF
Report Post »avenger
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 5:53amthis SOB should be in jail for crimes against the USA !
Report Post »Ironeagle
Posted on March 2, 2011 at 11:25amOur society is corrupt. Hollywood is more so–a perfect fit for him. He and Barney F ought to be tried for creating the conditions that brought on the housing collapse.
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