Report Reveals Lobbyist Influence Is Alive & Well in Obama’s White House
- Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:27pm by
Becket Adams
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Remember in 2007 when then-Sen. Barack Obama vowed to crack down on lobbyist influences in Washington, D.C.?
“I have done more to take on lobbyists than any other candidate in this race,” Obama said. “I don’t take a dime of their money, and when I am president, they won’t find a job in my White House.”
As reported by other media outlets, and already noted by the left-leaning Politifact, the president broke his lobbyist rule a long time ago. However, thanks to a recent report from the Washington Post, we now have a better understanding of just how much the president has failed to curb lobbyist influences in the nation’s capital.
The most transparent and ethical administration…
“The Post matched visits with lobbying registrations and connected records in the visitor database to show who participated in the meetings, information now available in a search engine on the Post’s web site,” T.W. Farnam writes.
“The visitor logs for Jan. 17 — one of the most recent days available — show that the lobbying industry Obama has vowed to constrain is a regular presence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave [emphasis added],” the report adds.
But more than the fact that lobbyists are a common presence in the White House (and nearby executive buildings) is the fact that those with personal connections inside the Obama administration — and there are many — enjoy easy, anytime access.
Again, we cannot stress enough that this is the same president who, more than any candidate before him, vowed to change the politics of D.C. with all that “Hopey-Changey” stuff.
“A lot of folks,” President Obama said in April, “see the amounts of money that are being spent and the special interests that dominate and the lobbyists that always have access, and they say to themselves, maybe I don’t count.”
But if the president believes this is what the people think, then why does it seem like lobbyists are a permanent fixture in his administration?
“The White House visitor records make it clear that Obama’s senior officials are granting…access to some of K Street’s most influential representatives,” Farnam writes.
“In many cases, those lobbyists have long-standing connections to the president or his aides. Republican lobbyists coming to visit are rare, while Democratic lobbyists are common, whether they are representing corporate clients or liberal causes,” the Post report adds.
Here are just a few of the lobbyists who’ve had frequent access to the White House:
Marshal Matz: A lobbyists whose clients include “the general counsel for the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the chief executive of cereal maker General Mills and pro bono clients, including advocates for farmers in Africa,” according to the Post. This former unpaid adviser to Obama’s 2008 campaign is reported to have visited the White House almost two dozen times in the past two-and-a-half years.
Bill Samuel: As a lobbyist for the AFL-CIO, Samuel has visited the White House at least 50 times since the president’s inauguration. He met four times with former White House Chief of Staff William M. Daley and three times with Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, according to the Post.
Nancy Zirkin: Works as a lobbyist for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
Laura Murphy: Murphy lobbies for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Tony Podesta: Brother to a former aide to the president, Podesta has visited the White House 27 times.
Robert Raben: This lobbyist who “represents many liberal causes” has visited the White House 47 times.
Tim Hannegan: Like Matz, Hannegan was also an “informal adviser” to the president’s 2008 campaign. His clients include Comcast and Taser International. He has logged in approximately 30 visits to the White House.
Tom Downey (former New York congressman): the spouse of President Obama’s former energy czar, Carol Browner, Downey lobbies for clients including Time Warner Cable and Herbalife. White House records show that he has visited at least 31 times.
And despite what appears to be a broken promise, the White House defends its admittance of lobbyists.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz praised the president’s “unparalleled commitment to reforming Washington,” adding that this is the first administration to release the visitor records. Of course, it needs to be pointed out that the White House did this “to settle a lawsuit seeking the records,” Farnam notes.
“Our goal has been to reduce the influence of special interests in Washington — which we’ve done more than any Administration in history,” Schultz added.
And to be fair, because previous administrations didn’t make their lists available, it’s impossible to tell whether the number of lobbyists allowed admittance to the White House has gone up or down since President Obama took office.
Still, if we recall correctly, the president during his 2008 presidential campaign didn’t promise to “dial back” or “moderate” lobbyist influences in Washington — he promised to put an end it. That clearly has not happened.
“The whole process was interesting for me. It’s a little scary,” said Andrew Menter, an executive who was able to score a White House meeting through Downey.
“You need a lobbyist to get a meeting,” Menter added.
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Comments (36)
The-Monk
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:30pm“Tom Downey (former New York congressman): the spouse of President Obama’s former energy czar, Carol Browner, Downey lobbies for clients including Time Warner Cable and Herbalife. White House records show that he has visited at least 31 times.”
The company, “IncomeAtHome.com“ is ”Herbalife”. I find it strange that they lobby BHO AND advertise on all the Right leaning shows like Rush and Beck. I never see their ads on the MSM.
Report Post »Berraco Bama
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:26pmCan’t wait for Republicans to be in power, because they NEVER lie or take lobbyist money. yea…
Report Post »That Mitt sure looks like an honest fellow. Man of his words…
Onbendedknee
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 6:03pmIt is a shame that our political process involves the lining of ones pockets or political favors or out and out treachery. I don’t care if you are left or right, clean this country up!
Report Post »I didn‘t see obama’s favorite lobbyist mentioned in the brief recap above.. Richard the union leader guy.
falschimjaeger
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 5:44pmObama, the personification of hypocracy. Transparent as granite and as honest as a used car salesman.
Report Post »davetrav
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 4:46pmIt is about all the White House has left. They are not doing nothing for America.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 4:20pmMitt Romney has the same lobbyists and donors Obama does.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 7:26pmProve it…..
Report Post »AnAmerican111
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 4:15pmWow! How about the first photo………………
Bunch and clowns and monkey’s in suits…………………….
Hilarious if they all weren’t such pathetic liars!
Report Post »AnAmerican111
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:48pmGreat list of criminals and corruption!……
Report Post »Did you expect anything less from obuma?
…The moron’s been lying since he figured out how to walk around on 2 legs
zoro51
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:11pmthrow ried pelosi n obama to the curb IMPEACH TH$EM ALL
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:24pmAre you kidding me. An attempt to spin the lobbyist issue as a Presidential one. Do some real research, do some real work of your own and set up a directory of all lobbyists and who the are visiting in Congress and who’s campaigns they are funding. Your attempt to avoid the transparency point has missed the mark. It is exactly the notification of who is meeting White House staff that is central and differentiating point. There is a difference between lobbying firms, lobbyists, who and what they utilize their time and resources lobbying for, and how they influence the process. Your analysis is cheap and your inferences void of any journalistic integrity.
Report Post »wkw58
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:02pmI love the signage around the doofus from Searchlight. Both hands over the vacant spot in his dessicated body….this administration really sucks. I call “B.S.” on everything that comes out of this White House.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:31pmI think we can all agree that lobbyists have helped the corruption in Washington. Is anyone surprised Obama would lie?
I wonder where Romney falls on the lobbyist idea. I am sure he is against them but uses them.
One thing is for sure where Ron Paul stands.
Former Lobbyist says ‘Ron Paul is a rarity and can’t be bought’!
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nolt50xuibI
Just in time
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:28pmDon’t do as I do, do as I say. He was against Super-pacs but sure did take advantage of them as soon as he could. Hypocrit
Report Post »Timely Renewed
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:26pmOf course Obama is a complete hypocrite when it comes to influence-peddling. In 2008, he received four times as many campaign donations from lobbyists as McCain. However, the he lobbyists are there because the federal government now exercises so much power over every aspect of our economy.
The real cure for the disease of lobbying is to return the federal government to its original constitutional functions and limits. Of course, the special interests are so entrenched that Washington will never do that. Therefore we must resort to the ultimate power the Framers gave us — constitutional amendments restating and re-affirming those original limits on federal power.
Since Congress will never initiate such amendments, the first step is to reform the amendment process to empower the states to initiate and enact amendments without having to go through either Congress or the unworkable and outmoded mechanism of a convention. Only this will protect us from both the current and future corrupt administrations. See http://www.timelyrenewed.com
Report Post »Watcher1952
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:19pmJust another episode of lying…cheating….and being deceitful to the American Public…..The whole administration speaks with a forked tongue…….
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:09pmUntil the majority of Americans pays attention satus quo my friends! We need unemplyment at 18-20% then we wil see some pissed off people paying attention!
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:09pmBunch of DOG DUMP
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:06pmI looked up hypocrite in websters dictionary and it said see Barrack Obama
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:01pmAgain… The guy will do or say ANYTHING for votes. He has no conscience.
Report Post »possom
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 2:00pmGreed and corruption are alive and well in washington I see! They seem to forget who they work there and why their there.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:41pm“I have done more to take on lobbyists than any other candidate in this race,” Obama said. “I don’t take a dime of their money, and when I am president, they won’t find a job in my White House.”
He will shuck and jive his way out of this one as well…..snake in the grass that he is…and his supporters by his load of bs…foolish savages.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:40pmDid someone FORGET to pull the plug during that SWAMP DRAINING? Raben visits do not surprise me at all! http://www.muckety.com/Raben-Group/5031676.muckety
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:37pmJust another lie from Barrack H. Obama! Whats new!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:51pmHis whole life is a lie .. I don’t think he even knows the truth or how not to lie .. the man is pathological.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:35pmLobbyists alive and well with the administration? Only now the rest of the media figures this out? The clear and present fact is Obama has been catoring to them across the board for the usual bribery and graft for their means until his dictatorship comes.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:56pmPimping President …
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:33pmTOKYOROSE…paging TOKYOROSE..clean up ailse 7..Obama lobbyist story needs cleaning and sanitizing.
Report Post »proudamerican67
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 1:30pmOne look at that first picture says it all….
Report Post »Kulcuda70
Posted on May 21, 2012 at 3:08pmI was going to say the same thing Proud, it makes you sick seeing this pack of dishonest, evil, hypocritical posers so smuggly standing together. I know it is wrong but a nicely lobbed M67 sure would clean up that mess….
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