Government

Tough on Lobbyists? Obama’s Regulatory Reform Means Bonus Billions…for DC Flacks

Remember when Obama was tough on lobbyist?

In January 2009, the president introduced new ethics rules diminishing the influence that special interest lobbyists have on legislators and White House officials. But that was so last years.

Tough on Lobbyists? Obamas Regulatory Reform Means Bonus Billions...for DC Flacks

These days, the president is not only holding secret meetings with lobbyists, but his regulatory reforms have created a sub-industry on K Street, the DC locale where most lobbying firms reside. These firms will likely reap billions of dollars as they help businesses figure out how to stay within the bounds of Washington’s new red tape.

Politico reports:

For all his anti-lobbyist rhetoric, President Barack Obama has done more than almost anyone to help K Street fatten its wallet.

First came his push to pass health care and Wall Street reforms, an epic two-year stretch of bruising legislative battles that saw lobbying revenues skyrocket.

But the boom didn’t end when the legislation became law.

Now, regulators are writing hundreds of new rules required by the twin reforms, creating a bonanza of new business for Washington lobbyists positioned to help companies influence and comply with the new regulations.

Call it K Street’s second stimulus.

Nick Allard, a senior partner in Patton Boggs’s lobbying and regulatory practice, said that regulatory work is more important now than ever for lobbying firms.

“What is new is sort of a sheer scope and magnitude of these new [regulatory] programs,” he said. “They’re larger and come in combination in a way that’s unprecedented in any recent memory. The sheer volume of work to be done is breathtaking.”

Allard went on to say, “Fundamentally, regulatory work is not sexy, but it’s very, very important.”

It’s also very lucrative, which is why lobbying firms are actively trying to recruit new regulatory clients.

Those clients, who are seeking advice about new regulations, will bring in two to three times more revenue to lobbying firms than traditional lobbying will. That traditional lobbying, which typically involves representing a client’s interests to lawmakers, brought in about $3.5 billion to the industry last year. Insiders think that regulatory work will bring in at least that much–and maybe more.

According to Politico, one lobbyist said that “his lobbying work was down $165,000, but his regulatory work increased by $635,000.”

The president may talk tough on the lobbies, but his policy initiatives have emboldened them. “God bless Barack Obama,” as one lobbyist said, “he’s helping the lobbyists.”

Comments (77)

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  • heavyduty
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 6:04pm

    I wonder how much the UNIONS are having to shell out. Oh, that‘s right they get a free pass don’t they!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Diana M.
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 5:44pm

    It is very clear that Obama does not care for anyone but himself. He is not a leader for the American People because his policies destroy our country. When will the people wake up and when will we see the destruction that is left in his wake. This is a dangerous time we live in so we must stand up peacefully in the light, prepare for the worse and hope for the best. Obama has not openly admitted that he is a socialist marxist but his actions and policies certainly show that he his. Where is our George Washington and what will happen to our constitution and our bill of rights??? Why can’t Obama be impeached??

    Report Post »  
  • hauschild
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:57pm

    How can any reasonable mind argue Obama is not a complete disaster???

    Anything left standing is destroyed in his wake. He‘s Jimmy Carter on ’roids. And, he does it all with zero emotion. He’s certainly nothing American; more Soviet Bloc-ish.

    Report Post »  
  • ladyda
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:52pm

    I keep hoping I will wake up from this nightmare……He is paying them for their votes in the next election.

    Report Post » ladyda  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:46pm

    so as long as the government gets its money by any means possible its OK? I HATE this federal goverment and most of all BHO and his employees

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • NC
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:20pm

    BHOs “Organizing For America” website, his 2012 campaign website requires an email and a zip code to access.
    I’ll just leave it to my imagination as to the contents. Certainly, I’ll be hearing enough of his empty promises in the next 18 months.

    NC (I’ll just skip posting the website and leave it to your imaginations)

    Report Post » NC  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:25pm

      i would not give him the time or his commie buddies, should be called DISORGANIZING TO KILL AMERICA,

      Report Post »  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:15pm

    crooks leading crooks !!!!!!!!!!!! the biggest crook obama and his left wing nut job,anti american communist loving buddies,should all be held for treason.

    Report Post »  
  • Eblaze44
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:14pm

    @Anonymous T. Irrelevant by your own words, Obama has succeeded at most everything he’d been planning. primarily destroying the US as it has been. You have to admit – it just gets better for him every day. He just needs one more Associate Supreme Court Justice and he will control that arm of the government as well. All we have now is the House of Representatives – and they can‘t and haven’t been able to hold a candle to Harry and the socialist Senate.

    Report Post » Eblaze44  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:23pm

      Now we see what will really happen. Will he leave when voted out or will he change the rules to ensure he is not voted out. Anything he has done can be undone once he is gone…But the question is what is it going to take to remove him?

      Report Post »  
    • jerryod1627
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:50pm

      Very good point trainer, like you I wonder if he will declare himself the appointed ruler no matter how the election comes out. If that is the case I think we all know what we will have to do!

      Report Post »  
  • beckwill
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:59pm

    He makes Satan look like a nice guy.

    Report Post »  
  • geonj
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:47pm

    obama doesn’t care anymore. he knows he will be a one term wonder. so he is going to set himself up for later. make himself rich etc. and for now, golf, ncaa tourney and a trip for him, michele and his two daughters to rio de janero for spring break. what a hypocrite this man is.

    Report Post » geonj  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:19pm

      Hypocrite? Yes, but I say fake. I am dying for the day when we can see the papers he is hiding from the people.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:43pm

    So Mr. Obama is either incompetent, dishonest, or both.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • MissCherryJones
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:37pm

    Let me get this straight: “most transparent administration” actually means no transparency, “no lobbyists” actually means more lobbyists. But Cap and Trade means energy prices will necessarily skyrocket. He lies AND tells the truth. Most confusing/confused president ever!

    Report Post »  
    • Moocephus
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 7:14am

      You hit the nail right on the underside of the head!

      Report Post » Moocephus  
  • Stop_The_Governmental_Insurrection
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:25pm

    “Bastardization of our Constitution”

    I am a child of the 1960’s. I learned in school that our Constitution is three branches of government, The Executive, the Judicial and the Legislative. Since then I have heard of other branches operating in Washington, The lawyers and lobbyist. The Legislature has been a pawn to these (other) branches of government since I can remember being able to read a newspaper and yet Politicians can only blame one another for the economic dilemmas’ the United States seem to face from time to time.
    The recycling of Republicans “reducing government” and the Democrats “tax and spend” to grow government is not Democracy. I cannot change the color of the sky any more than the politicians in Federal, State and Local government can do what is right for the citizens of this Country. To me, it seems that when the Republicans are in Power, I have a job, and when the Democrats are in power, I have unemployment and welfare. Meanwhile the lawyers and lobbyist continue their conspiracy. Seems like a “shell game” to me.
    Corporations, Financial Institution and Banks have garnered the attention of our politicians because of the enormous wealth they have accumulated over the past five decades. Through inappropriate and illegal maneuvering (by lobbyist and lawyers).Government representatives are playing “catch up” to maintain some of its own advantage over the Mega-rich and famous through lobbyist and lawyers graft. The conspiracy of corporate welfare is just one indication of the way our Government does not work. Whole agencies of Government that are currently in place have failed due to waste and mismanagement in Government. FAA, SEC, OMB, FTC, just to name a few, people are dying from bad food , planes are falling out of the sky due to poor maintenance, banks are using money for inappropriate purposes, business and financial entities are closing without compensation to its investors. All of the problems Americans face today is because of failed regulation and oversight by governmental politics!
    We the people allowed these entities (lawyers and lobbyist) operating in Washington D.C. and we have no voice because the ballot process has been tainted against the Citizen. Legislators selling our voice. Congress enacting spending bills, not Laws to protect and serve. Politics is the reason for this chaotic situation. They (lawyers and lobbyist) just circumvent the rules for their own agendas without consideration of the consequences to “We the People”; such is the past 30 or 40 years of my life.
    Witness the solutions in Washington 2009. I am appalled that powerful and knowledgeable government representatives are kneeling at the “trough” provided by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Just how many Washington D.C. insiders have investments at AIG? At last, we have proof of the fraud and deception that has been going on in Washington for the last four, maybe five decades. In addition, the consequences of all this fraud will result with inflation created for more greed and corporate profit margins.
    Are the Conspiracies of Congressional Leaders and the ad-hoc branches (Lobbyist and Lawyer) of Government exposed enough; to misrepresent the Constitution of these United States is shameful if not unconstitutional and must be addressed for fairness and order to return to the Citizens. Executive or Judicial order must intervene the Congress on all matters of spending and taxes. Earmarks, Corporate welfare and Pork funds entered into Legislative acts of Congress have no place in this Global Economy. Revolution

    Report Post » Stop_The_Governmental_Insurrection  
    • BCNU
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 5:43pm

      You failed to include the propaganda branch (media) to enable/mask/divert all actions/processed implemented by the other 3 branches.

      Report Post »  
  • Stop_The_Governmental_Insurrection
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:23pm

    Let the next “American Revolution” begin with a “Unamimous Vote”. Vote for R.O.T.H. (Repubublic of the Humanity) Economics has no agenda but the function of numbers, Humanity has no agenda but the function of life , so give the Amercican people only one Agenda. “Truth and Humanity”. Let us stand together to restore the Constitutional Republic that was and is still the agenda of our Founding Constitutional Fathers for todays United States.

    Report Post » Stop_The_Governmental_Insurrection  
  • Ozymandias
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:19pm

    Obama and the truth are eternally at odd as if you think you can trust him he’s like the weather in Texas, just you wait and it will change. Where there is no vision the people perish! The same goes for integrity!

    Report Post » Ozymandias  
  • ProgressiveLiberalMarine
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:18pm

    This is such bullcrap.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:34pm

      Which part?

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • ProgressiveLiberalMarine
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:52pm

      His pandering to Wall Street and Lobbyists.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:04pm

      I think the fact that he bashed Bush for it, said he wouldn’t and now does it on the sly, disgusts me more. They all pander, they are politicians. The whole “holier than thou” attitude towards the last administration combined with Obama‘s hypocracy and the press’s (for the most part) blind eye to it, makes me want to puke.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • 338lapua
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:18pm

    We have a president?

    Report Post »  
  • Fina Biscotti
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:17pm

    Obozo falsely portrayed during the 2008 presidential campaign – that lobbyists would not be part of his administration – when in fact he “hired” 34 lobbyists – as US Government employees.

    Report Post »  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:17pm

    He has been transparent. It’s been transparently clear he wants to destroy what is left of America to build his dream society. And of his need for Wall Street money to get re-elected.

    Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
  • Smcneill
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:13pm

    We cann’t get Obama out of ofice fast enough

    Report Post »  
    • REETZBEE
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:59pm

      I‘d like to know what kind of campaign rhetoric Obama’s going to use to get reelected. He can‘t run on changing the way Washington works or lowering the deficit so it’s going to have to be all that going green garbage and building high speed rails. All things you can‘t prove that’s going to be successful in the long run other than supplying union jobs.

      Report Post » REETZBEE  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:17pm

      I‘m thinking that he’s planning such turmnoil that there won’t be a next election.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:20pm

      he will run on lies and lie to cover up lies,sounds good don’t it. come and get some of what we call real justice ,2012 we will all know what crook obama really is when he and his buddies or throw out on their butts,then we can get into the records and expose them for who they really are, COMMUNIST

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:24pm

      REETZBEE
      I‘d like to know what kind of campaign rhetoric Obama’s going to use to get reelected.
      ————
      IF ( and its a big IF) there are elections in 2012, the MFMedia will run Obama against Bush and Koch brothers .
      Ofcourse him lighting the powder keg called middle-east will be touted as his leadership in world affairs for which he won a Nobel Peace prize.
      3 operative words for the king’s propaganda machine in 2012, which will be thrown at his rivals :
      Fascists,
      racists ,
      bigots

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:12pm

    He’s tough on lobbyist alright! He meets with them secretly across the street from the White House so they don’t show in the W. H. log book. He’s tough on lobbyists and runs most transparent White House ever. Barry makes Nixon look transparent!

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Obama Bin Lying
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:10pm

    So much for not being a Washington insider. Just another lie in the list of lies that has been the Obomination Administration

    Report Post » Obama Bin Lying  
  • BetterDays
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:10pm

    Sadly, no one in congress seems inclined to show Obama and his socialist minions the lobby, and then the door out!

    Report Post »  
  • MeteoricLimbo
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:10pm

    Very difficult to deal with a person who has no stance on anything. Wishy-washy does not make for good leadership

    Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:43pm

      Very difficult to deal with a person who has no stance on anything
      ————-
      I don’t think its entirely true.
      Look at his stance on killing babies who refuse to die. He has absolute clarity on that issue. He articulated his position then and he still sticks to that position today. Just like his stance on union goons and violence against US taxpayers.
      Unwavering stances both

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • Its Gonna Getcha
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:10pm

    Sometimes it seems like an alternate government has taken over because no one was at the wheel.

    Report Post » Its Gonna Getcha  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:15pm

      So Obama lies from both sides of his mouths on each of his 2 faces ?
      I’m shocked..shocked I tell ya

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:25pm

      If you like your lobbyist,
      you can keep your lobbyist

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:27pm

      Staying true to form. The prog-trogs are hell-bent on bankrupting the economy so they can rebuild it according to the socialistic views. Think I’m kidding?

      It would have to be done before the 2012 election, wouldn’t it???? I‘m really surprised the bankruptcy thing hasn’t been brought out by Fox or the conservative party. Bankrupt the nation,,,,rebuild it from the ground up….socialists leading the charge?

      The are spending money at an absolutely unbelievable rate, now, haven’t they???

      Report Post »  
    • Dale
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:32pm

      The law of unintended consquences; like electing odumbo.

      Report Post » Dale  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:35pm

      Obama is a walking, talking HERPES Epidemic. The gift that keeps on giving.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:36pm

      Anybody see any flies coming out of his mouth lately???

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:38pm

      Silent
      He has declared a “No Fly Zone ” around his head

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:44pm

      True enough…………..

      I should have said ‘arse’

      He’s done more talking out of his arse, anyway. So, anyone see any flies coming out of his arse lately?

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:48pm

      @BMartin1776
      He’s been campaigning far longer than that.
      The Great Deceiver shown here with “Honest Leadership” and “Open Governement” signs in front and behind him make me sick.
      CHEEZ-He has more than two faces and two mouths. I wonder if Moochelle and the girls lie as much as he does? Yet another campaign promise broken, what will he campaign on for 2012? He has accomplished nothing, but the boon-doggle of a health-care program and bankrupting our great nation, he has nothing left to promise, but spend more? What can he do, he’s painted himself into a corner.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:51pm

      I just cannot stand a slimeball!
      I cannot stand a liar!
      I cannot stand a thief!
      I cannot stand Obama!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • marine249
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:52pm

      WATCHER
      the fly is the nat. bird of the altemate [ commie ] gov.

      Report Post »  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:07pm

      Sounds like the same tactics of Chicago Politics, Overwhelm and Overrun. Well maybe more like A.C.O.R.N. in how they flood the voter registration offices in states and counties to make it harder to find the true voter, the same tactic is at work here with creating massive pages of regulations.

      When you consider who the Wizard of O’s friends are, Lawyers, it is no secret that he would favor them and make them wealthier. I wonder if his wife is going for a job at one of these firms after he leaves office (hopefully soon).

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:12pm

      @Emily Esfahani Smith ~
      Thank you for this story!
      I copied and pasted it (and included your byline) to an email to my Congressional Representative, Lynn Westmoreland.

      I suggest that everyone else copy and paste it to an email to your own Representative. Congress has to know that We the People know what’s going on!

      I was listening to Neal Boortz this morning, and someone called in to say he was thinking about contacting Speaker John Boehner to complain that John Boehner was not standing up to the Democrats about the budget cuts. Boortz told him that Speaker Boehner was going to ask him, “Where are the people to protest what the Democrats are doing?” Unions are protestiong all over the place. Where are the voices of the TEA Partiers?

      He has a point. Email them, call them, and/or write your Congressmen, at the least!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:14pm

      yea!!

      anyone want to join me in pulling wings off flies??

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:21pm

      Woo-woo! This is interesting!

      http://www.impeachobamacampaign.com/

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • drbage
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:22pm

      First, he proclaimed that there would be NO lobbyists in his administration, then he hired 38 of them.
      Second, the lobbyist era is over he declared, so the administration trotted across the street to meet in coffee shops, so there would be record of who met with whom.
      Third, he averred that his administration would be the most open and transparent in history, then Dreamworks Harry and Pope Pelosi stoked so many fires that no one could see through them (or so they thought).
      Fearing that the O might have lost some of his luster, the MSM and their acolytes are out in force once again proclaiming the tingle up the leg, declaring him better than Churchill, and making the case that he is an intellectual’s intellectual.
      Given all that, I am sure glad that I’m just an average everyday American patriot living in flyover country. Hope they keep right on flying over and leave us to better our lives and those of our children without their ivory tower rhetoric and advice.

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:25pm

      SHOWTIME

      Right now, they know how we feel. If it gets to the point that they have forgotten how we feel,,,,,we are going to do what the prog-trogs do…..stand in front of them and yell. I really do think that once we start doing that and the masses progressively (I now hate using that word) get larger and louder, it will remind them that we are still here and still hold them accountable.

      I will never stand down.

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:30pm

      @Silent Watcher -

      I’ll be right there, too. I think you know how I am!
      Thank you for your “sick freak” comments, too.
      You are a jewel.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:36pm

      Just keeping them pinned to the wall!! ;)

      Report Post »  
    • LAM2
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:39pm

      Lobbyists are a symption — a big, powerful, confiscatory federal govenment is the problem. When the feds can make or break your business via regulations or the granting of financial favors/punishment, there’ll be lobbyists and lots of them.

      Report Post »  
    • SavingtheRepublic.com
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:53pm

      More like twilight zone… Such transparency from the boy king, expect more b/c soon he will officially be in campaign mode. I know I know he has been campaigning since the day after he won in ‘08. Exactly how does any of this lobbying really help we the people. Doesnt the money go right to corporations and their heads wallets? They in turn manipulate and sway their ilk to vote for X candidate; maybe its time to call it what it truly is… bribery.

      Isnt it true those caught bribing others for political/ financial gain etc potentially head to jail yet in DC its just part of the game?! Washington is turning in his grave with what they have done to his namesake!
      The double standards these ppl live by day after day is sickening and this guy… BHO defines failure in US presidential history. Hope you are learning your lesson America you dont elect someone just b/c he can read off a teleprompter well. You dont attack ppl calling them racists, bigots, haters etc because they are trying to inform/ warn you of a questionable candidate.

      Report Post » SavingtheRepublic.com  
    • Lonestar Lady
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 9:33pm

      We are the only ones who can stop this madness! we have a good start now we just have to keep pushing and it doesn‘t matter if it’s Republican or Democrat, do what we, your employers, tell you or start looking for a new job! and not as a lobbyist. No former politician or family member should be allowed to be a lobbyist, as a matter of fact, there shouldn’t be lobbyist period, end of problem.

      Report Post »  
    • Tea-Bone
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 11:06pm

      Cheez, Silent, 13, you guys really kill me! I wish I had friends like you guys! At least I know I’m not alone in a sea of Kool-aid drinkers! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the madness all around me here on the Philly area, progressive trolls everywhere! Hey, who gave Bam Bam the unbublished manuscript of Orwelle’s that tells the story that leads up to The Party, the Ministries of Truth, Plenty, Love, and Peace? Anywow I love how this story is turning out, it’s double plus good!

      Report Post » Tea-Bone  
    • Tea-Bone
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 11:07pm

      you too Showtime, sorry~

      Report Post » Tea-Bone  
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