Obama Victory's Unintended Impact: Lobbying Boom

Washington Post :

Barack Obama spent much of his presidential campaign decrying the influence of Washington lobbyists. In the 10 days since he was elected, he already has had an impact: He has touched off a mini-boom on K Street.

Top lobbying firms are gearing up to handle increased demand from corporate clients who fear that the Obama administration will expand its regulatory reach and target them for tax increases. Some firms, such as Patton Boggs, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and Alston & Bird, are also preparing for new business resulting from the ongoing effort to stabilize the economy.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[bluguy8]

what a concept--c­orporation­s having to pay taxes?

[Killjoy]

I was about to ask who are they Lobbying to?

[boing007]

No surprise here. They're going to get all they can while the gettin's good.

[OutsourcedAgain]

All this talk about lobbyists having something to say is a crock. This campaign lasted 22 months, the candidates traveled the country, they heard from millions of voters. If they don't know what the "right thing" to do is... then they just weren't listening. And they certainly aren't going to get the answers from a lobbyist. It doesn't matter which party that lobbyist belongs to.

[shelsay]

I think lobbying has picked up a lot of bad traction because it has hurt our country in ways we may never know. Like the uptick in kids with asthma in the northeast, which may be connected to Bush dropping much of the regulation on the energy companies (who contributed to his campaign). Or the health care companies receiving funding from NIH (government funding) to do their research and then those same companies driving the prices way to high for anyone to be able to afford the meds we the tax payers have sponsored. or even this idea that there is no such thing as global warming (do these people take biology classes?)

At this point the term "lobby" sounds like a bad word. But people who are fighting for real injustice and not just out to make $$$$$ should be able to lobby and make their voices heard and have an impact on progressing our policies.

[sansego2000]

Lobbying is ok, but the money side is the problem. Keep the lobbying that is how you bring issues to light, but money cannot be involved at all.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...After enforcing the Sherman Anti-trust Law, corporations will be taxed and regulated in direct proportion to their lobbying efforts. "Too big to fail" will be a historical footnote

[MossyOak]

I found this article puzzling, as though K Street thinks Obama's term will be business as usual, all they have to do is restock their shelves with Democrats. I don't think they've gotten the message yet that this is a new day, that Obama doesn't care what they think because he is not motivated by money or influence. His power was granted by the people and the only way he can truly fail is to forget that.

[gonnuts]

Who lobbies for us?

All I see here is people in power jumping back and forth from positions of supposed leadership of the people, to influence peddling for companies that seem to have more power than people of this country. When was the last time we've seen any former politician go into doing pro-bono work for citizens rights or go work for ACLU, or any organization that works for peoples causes? Never. It's always from government service to some high-priced concealing or lobbying job for some major corporation.

Washington is still a cesspool of self-serving cretins that have neither America or our interests at heart.

Obama or no Obama, this is now still a country for the corporations and by the corporations.

[GravitonX]

Nothing stops you from community organizing and calling your elected officials. Actually, if you think about it, you have more power than the lobbies, because you represent actual votes.

One think I've learned in life is that no one cares more about your issues and concerns than you do.

[Keith52]

If you read the whole article it is clear the headline here is misleading.

What the article points out is that the lobby firms are actually in trouble because they have been catering to Republicans for 8 years. Soooo they are now enlisting the brains of Democrats to find out what the heck they should do. That is the "boom" they are talking about. A boom in Democratic consulting. Lobyists will still be held to Barack's new standards that require lobby money stay out of congress etc.

Think of it, lobbyists will actually have to influence legislators with facts, ideas and argument instead of golf outings, cash and gifts. Now THAT is what I call a BOOM!

[dmsdzinr]

The fact that Bush/Cheney have already checked out...and that Obama/Biden cannot go into effect until 1.20.2009 puts America at deep risk. We have to STOP blaming Obama for what is going on. As always, BUSH/CHENEY is the problem!!!

[flyingmonkey]

The problem is a lot deeper than Bush/Cheney and as long as people don't get that, nothing will get fixed.

[LemonMeringue]

Outlaw everything the lobbyists offer except in the House or Senate lunchroom.

This is what's wrong with Washington: all the legislators are bought and paid for. Including Pelosi.

[GravitonX]

You'll never be able to eliminate lobbying, since elected officials, by nature,need to be accessible to the public and conversation. It's naive to believe otherwise. Though, you can limit the influence of money in the equation.

[Rapid Ray]

Lobbyists will plan for the worst and anything less will be seen as a blessing.

These firms make a ton of money and their main concern is not just that. It's about power. They have had too much of it in recent years and they need to be reigned in more than any other group in this country. They have lined pockets, lied, stalled and hidden in the hallways for too long.

Obama's support will not be found in the halls of Washington, but on the main streets and side streets of America. When it comes time for the big decisions that the lobbyists will wrangle over, we all need to speak up against them.

I don't know of any time in my life where the ability to have a voice over special interests has been stronger. We just need to keep that voice alive and not become complacent.
Make a call, send an email, write a letter....­government should hear more from the people than just a few suits with motivated self interest.

[concernvoter]

Springsm, I agree. All the experts had a chance to run for president.

[keepemhonest]

Greedy Greedy are those top 1% ultra rich folks ... lobbying to keep their taxes LOW while not giving one d@mn if the middle class taxes go up. Screw em