Critics Question Success Of Obama's War On Lobbyists

The Washington Post:

President Obama is escalating his war on K Street, proposing a series of tough restrictions a year after he first issued policies aimed at tamping down the influence of lobbyists.

But changing the way business is done in Washington is slow and difficult, underscored by the fact that spending on lobbying reached record levels last year despite the president's reforms and a down economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent $144 million on its lobbying efforts -- a 60 percent increase over 2008's expenditure -- leading industry opposition to health-care reform, financial regulations and climate legislation.

Read the whole story: The Washington Post

Comments

[econ1]

12:41 PM on 02/15/2010

If you gradually put more and more under government control you can talk all you want about restricting lobbying but it isn't going to work. Only a big government is worth corrupting and our is getting bigger every day.

[glockman]

09:29 AM on 02/15/2010

There is no war against Wall Street and lobbyists, only political sleight of hand. Just keep watching the little birdie, folks, everything will be alright.

[fifteen pounds]

03:25 AM on 02/15/2010

Until Obama and the Dems initiate a true and thorough and complete reform of our election system, namely, campaign finance reform, the use of money as free speech, corporations and special interests, and unions, this government will not work. It is broken. We need to take money out of the equation, reform the tax code fairly, and limit the time and demand equal treatment and time for all candidates....since that willnever happen, I feel for the young of today...the future in America is going to be bleak, indeed.

[rebale]

03:41 PM on 02/28/2010

Ever wonder how we - the people - have to call in and get our phone numbers on the do not call list? Or how the do not call list does not apply to political elections , or to charitable organizations?
Ever wonder how digital tv required us-the people- to purchase digital converter boxes that result in poor reception and poorer communication or how it helped cable companies gain more subscribers? Can anyone add to this list?

[disabledjim]

01:29 AM on 02/15/2010

you cant have a war on lobbyist when they are all in your own cabinet or in and out of the white house like there is a giant revolving door

[marbiol]

11:21 PM on 02/14/2010

This is a bit off topic, but i couldnt find any other place to put this.

dan Balz had a piece in todays Post highlighting palin's NO CREd to be a potus. Curious, I went to the post archives and typed in ""barack obama qualifications presidency"--and didnt get a hit!! then, i went to google and did the same:

Your search - "barack obama qualifications presidency" - did not match any documents. (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=%22barack+obama+qualifications+presidency%22&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&aqi=&oq=)

Should we be surprised??? NOPE!!

[blogisti]

09:13 PM on 02/14/2010

The war is over. The lobbyists won. Just ask Pharma. They won before the Supreme Court decision giving Corporate America free reign to spend whatever it takes without any impediments in the law. Since the owners of Corporations have already managed to shovel most of the wealth up their way they can now buy the politicians openly and without reservation. In fact, they can run their own politicians with agendas that complete the rape and pillage of the middle and lower classes in short order. Obama? He is just like the rest of them. They all have a price. Just ask Pharma.

[vippy]

08:40 PM on 02/14/2010

We can force change by voting 3rd party. Those two parties, back and forth, and we never get anywhere. We thank them by voting them in office over and over. Enough. Vote 3rd party and see the stupid look on their face, they thought they had it bagged. 40 years and we should know by now.
This is not Nader, we have to come together in order to achieve this.

[fifteen pounds]

03:27 AM on 02/15/2010

problem is third parties are more fanatical to be practical...

[Ifticar2]

08:24 PM on 02/14/2010

Obama's war on Loggyists was all talk and no action. Typical of this Prevaricator in Chief.

[yourmomscalling]

07:16 PM on 02/14/2010

OH IM SORRY DID HE LIE AGAIN !!! THAT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME IN THE LEAST !!

[lohu]

06:54 PM on 02/14/2010

How can he fight them when he has about 27 ex-lobbyist workin in his admin. The tax cheat of the treasury, his secon in command was a lobbyists.

[Siebenstein]

06:27 PM on 02/14/2010

Questioning?

I think we already know the answer, don't we?

[bwalsh1]

05:26 PM on 02/14/2010

Lip service, the President declares 'War" on the lobbyists because it sounds good to the American public, and then fails to actually accomplish anything in regard to actual reform.

If anyone kept track of his campaign promises, his actual record, and the fact that some of his promises and policies actually contradicted each other, they could have realized that this President is all about lip service during the primaries.

[Jayk4444]

05:54 PM on 02/14/2010

Well written. The problem may be the President believes the talk will create actions, which is not happening. It's the problem of the moment and he talks a good game, but does nothing to follow through.

[hypnotoad72]

06:11 PM on 02/14/2010

Not entirely.

There's so much any one of us can do. Otherwise we wouldn't need leaders to elect.

[funkyirishdem]

03:48 PM on 02/14/2010

Mr. President :

Your ideas for the country as a whole have been a breath of fresh air. There is hope . The Previous administration slashed and burned the economy and left you with the mess. THeir playbook was to do so and make you look bad. Their policies are limited to ONE now and that is simply to say NO. You have overcome. You and your staff are doing a wonderful job (especially from starting off at a minus due to Bush).

The economy is strengthening . The view of the US from around the world has turned positive once more. You have put representatives and senators front and centre in the public eye by letting them show their true colors during this health care debate. The amercian public finally sees that the President does not just dictate and the congress ratifies that dictate. The congress makes policy . They must do their job . The american people now see the special interests hold on these members . Soon the ones beholden to those special interests will be voted out and true work that you had in mind Mr, President will begin.

When majorities increase for the dems after November,EVERY American will have the possibilty to achieve their true potential...I believe in you sir...their are so many people that believe in you sir...there is a majority that believe in you sir.. you will not give up or give in .. you will succeed!!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H5uWRjFsGc

enjoy! :)”

[bwalsh1]

05:21 PM on 02/14/2010

What are you on and where can I get some? I want to live in the alternate reality your brain inhabits.

[fifteen pounds]

03:20 AM on 02/15/2010

Funky...I love your optimism, but it is not the true case...Obama is losing his support far faster than anyone could have imagined. He has not performed well as a leader. He has gone to far to the right. Had his supporters (the majority of voters) wanted a Republican in the WH, we would have voted for one....we wanted change and all we get is more war, more Bush, more out of control spending, more very bad appointments, more speeches, and less action, less leadership....I want him to succeed, but with Harry Reid and the people advising Obama, that is not going to happen.

[Tribal Knowledge]

12:56 PM on 02/14/2010

Obama War on Lobbyists:

Hire every lobbyist tht he can, not currently incarcerated - well, if he can.

Pay the rest mor $$$ than anyone, ever! EVER! Best year for lobbyists: 2009!

Is this a serious article?

[NANANACHMAN]

12:51 PM on 02/14/2010

The pigions in DC fly up_side_down over K St.....................they cannot find anyone worth $hitting on