Obama’s Biggest Lobbyist Winners from Left-Wing Advocacy Organizations
by Warner Todd HustonOn the campaign trail, now President Obama regularly excoriated lobbyists. He said he’d make the government “open and transparent” and said he’d make it hard for lobbyists to “curry favor” with his administration “based on how much they can spend on a fancy dinner.” Once elected, John Podesta, a member of his transition team, said that Obama would be implementing the “strictest ethics rules ever applied” to those scoundrel lobbyists. In his 2009 State of the Union address Obama puffed up his chest, proud of himself that he “excluded lobbyists” from important jobs in his administration.
With all that bombast and populist wind from Obama and his cohorts, then, one would expect to see a dearth of lobbyists in important positions in Obama’s Washington. One’s expectation, however, would easily be dashed by the truth.
Remember the rarefied air of Obama’s campaign for president? Wanna see some, shall we say, “broken promises”?
Transcript of Obama campaign appearance: (My bold for emphasis)
I’ll also institute an absolute gift ban so that no registered lobbyist can curry favor with members of my administration based on how much they can spend on a fancy dinner. I’ll make our government open and transparent so that anyone can ensure that our business is the people’s business. Justice Louis Brandeis once said “Sunlight is the greatest disinfectant,” and as president I am going to make it impossible for congressmen or lobbyists to slip pork barrel projects or corporate welfare into laws when no one’s looking because when I’m president meetings where laws are written will be more open to the public… no more secrecy, that’s a commitment I make to you as president. No more secrecy!
And, when there’s a bill that ends up on my desk as president, you the public will have five days to look on-line and find out what’s in it before I sign it so that you know what your government’s doing. When there are meetings between lobbyists and a government agency we’ll put as many as pos… as many of those meetings as possible on-line for every American to watch. When there’s a tax bill being debated in Congress you will now the names of the corporations that would benefit and how much money they would get. And we will put every corporate tax break and every pork barrel project on-line for every American to see, you will know who asked for them and you can decide whether your representative is actually representing you!
Oh, the dreamy dream of hope-n-change. It’s what you voted for, America. So did we get it?
Not even close.
In fact, at least 50 some lobbyists have won the Obama lottery and found themselves landing plumb jobs in the Obama administration. All sorts of Obama’s favorite special interests have found their lobbyists suddenly riding the gravy train. From Big Agriculture, to Big Financial and Big Banking, to Trial Lawyers, to Military, Communications, and Big Bio, Obama’s buddies have lined up around the block to get his favor and found the honey pot well supplied.
Alarmingly, though, the biggest winners seem to be lobbyists from ideologically left-wing think tanks and issue advocacy groups.
Here are some of the known lobbyists that have hit the Obama jackpot:
Left-Wing Organizations
Barnes, Melody: ACLU; Center for Reproductive Rights
Jacquelin: NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Butts, Cassandra: Center for American Progress
Coven, Martha: Center on Budget & Policy Priorities
Crowley, Phillip J: Center for American Progress
Frye, Jocelyn: Nat’l Partnership for Women & Families
Corr, William: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
McDonough, Dennis: Center for American Progress
Munoz, Cecilia: National Council of La Raza
Perciasepe, Robert: National Audubon Society
Rundlet, Peter: Center for American Progress
Stoner, Nancy: Natural Resources Defense Council
Trasvina, John: Mexican American Legal Defense Fund
Stein, Eric: Center for Responsible Lending
Douglas, Derek: Center for American Progress
Banking/Insurance/Financial
Beliveau, Emmett: PriceWaterhouseCoopers; Worldwide Medical Technologies; Shaw Group
Donilon, Thomas: Fannie Mae
Klain, Ron: Time Warner; Fannie Mae
Patterson, Mark: Goldman Sachs
Turton, Dan: Freddie Mac; Visa
Singiser, Dana: Insurance
Wilkins, William J.: Swiss Bankers Association
Sutphen, Mona: Angliss Int’l
Biotech/Military/Energy
Hayes, David: Sempra Energy; San Diego Gas & Electric; General Cigar Holdings
Eric L. Hirschhorn: Lockheed Martin; Sun Chemicals
Hoffman, Alan: RAND Corporation, Unocal
Holder, Eric: Global Crossing; Large Scale Biology Corporation
Lynn, William J.: Raytheon
Strickland, Thomas: Amgen
Technology/Internet/ Communications
Harris, Scott: Microsoft; Cisco; Dell; Sprint
Kennedy, Sean: AT&T
Marantis, Demetrios J.: Lucent Technologies
Punke, Michael: Time Warner
Sapiro, Miriam: VeriSign
Union Lobbyists
Gaspard, Patrick: American Federation of Teachers
Liebowitz, Jon: Motion Picture Association of America
Vilsack, Thomas: National Education Association
Big Agriculture
Harden, Krysta: Gordley Associates
Isi Siddiqui: CropLife America
Taylor, Michael: Monsanto
Medicine/Hospitals/Big Pharma
Sher, Susan: University of Chicago Hospitals
Sussman, Robert M.: Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Navistar, Business Roundtable
Trial Lawyers
Sebelius, Kathleen: Kansas Trial Lawyers Association
Strautmanis, Michael: Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Hollywood/Entertainment
Litt, Robert: Recording Industry Association of America
Car Makers
Varney, Christine: Hogan & Hartson
Others
Panetta, Leon: Seismic Safety Coalition
Perrelli, Thomas J.: American Survivors of 8/7/98 Bombings of Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania
Poneman, Daniel: Payless Shoe Source
Verma, Richard: Cigna; National Association of Convenience Stores; U.S.-India Business Council
Timothy P. Carney of the Washington Examiner has been Keeping a list of the lobbyists that have won the Obama Lottery and he has some rich details of from which firms they’ve come and what clients were represented.
So much for being post partisan, non-ideological, transparent…. all those bight and shiny hope-n-changie sort of things Obama told us all he’d force Washington to observe.
Looks to me like it is business as usual with Obama’s Washington.
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57 Comments
I think there is a better way, why don't we double the size of the House, and the Senate? That way we can bring them down from their ivory towers. Then, they will be at street level figuratively speaking.
God Bless America
"… no more secrecy, that’s a commitment I make to you as president. No more secrecy! "
You Lie
That picture reminds me of a poster you can buy at despair.com.
"lets be clear" obama's a liar.
Obamoa's actions since taking office have just brought a clearer definition of "the ends justify the means."
MikeWashburnForCongress.com
Idaho District 1
If I have to look at that picture, of the three most evil people in government again…especially with Harry Reid with his hands over his heart, like he even has one…I think I will implode!! This is by far the most disgraceful administration I have seen in my life time!!! They ALL need to be impeached, for trying to take down the government of the United States of America!!! That is TREASON!!
Yep, he sure got rid of those lobbyist all right, nice job Barry
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/01/lobbyi...
Obieonebigjokey comes to mind.
I worry about who this jerk will pardon! He may empty the prisons before he leaves office.
Dang for a minute I thought dingy was having a heart attack, but I guess if that had been the case Obama and Nancy would have been going through his pockets.
[...] Obama’s Biggest Lobbyist Winners from Left-Wing Advocacy Organizations [...]
So is this guy off the hook for all the BLATANT lies he told to get elected? I am curious where are all the obamazombies who fell for his lies? Same zombies that had no problem labeling me and I'm sure many here racist, bigot, hater etc etc for not voting for this PETULANT CHILD. Where are the republican TV ads replaying HIS WORDS about transparency?
He is laughing at you America, will you continue with your letter writing, phone calls and protests while he continues on with his agenda getting this corrupt Congress to pass all the laws he wants instituted while the special interest sits back in the shadows(influencing/benefitting)?
Go after these people YOU DO have the power believe it or not, you can stop them civil within the rule of law. the question is what are you prepared to do? To stop this machine will require out of the box unconventional tactics through http://www.savingtherepublic.com but are you prepared to cross the line?
[...] Email this to a friend | Print | Share on Facebook | Tweet this | // Posted by Editor at 4:47 AM Tagged with: Barack Obama, Big Labor, campaign promises, Defense, Economics, healthcare, John Podesta, lobbyist ban, Obama, obama lobbyists, obama promises, politics, Regulation, transparent government [...]
Knowing Barry's father was a Communist just reinforces the new addage- "The excrement never falls far from the anal orifice".
I couldn't agree with you more. We can dream of the day that they frog-march these traitors out of the Whitehouse and Congress.
His father was a Communist and his mother was a God-hater.
They both hated him.
And we wonder why he is the way that he is.
And his Marxist mentor would have probably been a member of NAMBLA if it was around then.
Obama had said that the wrong companies, institutions, and organizations get government support. The stimulus, the takeovers, and the Whitehouse guests reveal exactly what he meant and who he means.
So when do the commercials on the MSM channels begin?. I can see this post with Obama making the proclamation(s) in video, followed by a 'crawl' of these "Lobbyist Winners". I'm not much of an Video producer, but even if the commercial never makes it to MSM, something like I am suggesting could be put on UTUBE, by some of you cheerleaders who have ADOBE!
Come on and get involved. Flood Youtube with commercials like this! I'm working on the local Tea Party , republican candidate in GA-4. Imagine Hank Johnson asking if Guam would sink! Our motto here is "Yank Hank".
y
It MIGHT be possible if we use our talents on computers! They have not shut down our ability to communicate, and assemble?
Anyone want to make an add out of this post?
I guess the trolls are gonna skip this debate….. lol
The problem is the MSM refuses to expose this administration. The Republicans could never get away with this. Breitbart needs to be a prime time news program. How about it?
Culture of corruption run amok!
It's the first of the month…they are getting there welfare check and polishing the wheels on that new caddie we paid for….
What else can I say… another example of leftist hypocrisy.
Politicain=Liar=Obama….
[...] (196) Obama gagnants plus grand lobbyiste des organisations de défense de gauche [...]
After reading all these comments I still say that Obama is the best thing to happen to this country in our lifetime. Doesn't that tee you off? Good!!! Same reason why I'm glad the half brother is in office. I used to be the loud mouth a hole in the room. Now I'm a member of the mob. God Bless AMERICA!!!! Keep up the good fight brothers and sisters!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdKmc9aBELM
The only sound from Obama that can be believed is when he breaks wind.
Yeah it transparent… with CLOSED DOORS and MSM in the tank for OBLABLA……..the only thing that is transparent is the LIES he and his band of thugs have been spewing!!
Uh…Kathleen Sibelius, former Governor of Kansas, counts as a "lobbyist" for trial lawyers? Interesting.
Wow bustin' out the jokes straight from 1983. Do you have them in a bound volume, or rolodex cards for quick reference? People in poverty aren't buying new cars on the money they get from government programs, and nobody really drives Cadillacs anymore. There's also this thing called the internet now, you should give it a shot.
This whole thing breaks down upon examination of what constitutes a lobbyist. Some of the people on your list were clearly not lobbyists, many are simply activists for groups or entities you don't like (like La Raza, apparently). Here on Breitbart the standards of proof are extraordinarily high. If a racial slur is not on tape it didn't happen. Similarly if a single person on that list does not qualify as a "lobbyist," I would say your entire thesis is rendered null and void.
I will also note the selectivity you apply to the former administration, who deliberately blurred the lines between lobbyists (Cheney Energy Task Force, anyone) and policy makers to an extent never before seen. Reading articles on Breitbart is like spending time with a person who's been in a coma for eight years and has to be reminded that what he thinks was yesterday was actually quite some time ago, and some stuff has happened in the meanwhile.
He only does that when the teleprompter tells him to.
Wait…Obama's a hypocrite?
When the hell did that happen? (insert eye-roll here)
Every time I see this pic of Barry & Co, I want to puke. This image is a slap in the face to every American and implies that the public is stupid. November can’t come soon enough!
How can you tell when a politician is lieing? When his lips are moving. It is time to send a very clear message to the U.S. Government. "The people of this country own you, and we aren't going to put up with this grap anymore. It's time to take our country and constitution back to where it belongs.
Loved the song. It was great. I'm gonna email it to friends. Thanks!
"I'm going to say this again…, He's a Liar! "Let me repeat…" He's a LIAR!
Dear troll. And just where do you think you read all these messages, Hmmmm? You asked for us to "give it a shot?" Well, troll, this is the internet… and like a colt 45, we know how to use it.
<Troll on Board>
Sounds as though you've been on the kool-aid too long. Your brain has turned to jello. I don't remember President Bush saying he would never have lobbyists in his administration. You must have read that somewhere on the Huffy ton report. And yeah, normal people don’t accuse someone of "racial slurs" unless they have proof that they occurred. You know, something like an honest witness that doesn't lie, or yeah, like hearing it on one of the hundreds of videos that people all around you are taking.
As for accusing others — that you don't know — of not liking La Raza, you have no idea of what people like or dislike — you have no idea what you're talking about.
Your entire thesis was both dull and devoid of any worthwhile contribution of any kind on this forum.
Sure they are. The live in a shack and drive a caddy or escalade…………then go to the grocery store and "buy" food (actually the taxpayer buys it)………..don't tell me, I see it every day!
[...] From Big Government: [...]
[...] (181) Más grande de Obama ganadores de grupo de presión que las organizaciones de defensa de izquierda [...]
Well it apears you got your check….in 1983 at least we had a real President…..
pssst were on the internet now.
Makes a great picture for a dart board or a poster to scare the kids when they misbehave.
[...] Obama’s Biggest Lobbyist Winners from Left-Wing Advocacy Organizations Related Posts Post a [...]
I really hope your gene pool of ignorance and stupidity ends with the death of you and all your children.
I think that William Ayers is best known for hating the military, business, and America, but I've never heard anything about what you mention. His real qualities are evil enough, aren't they?
If you want to be on a watch list like those loony toons in Kentucky last week, click that link. I made the mistake… Your words are wise, but even Hitler said something intelligent every now and again.
There is nothing illegal of my link/site. I like many speak to keep things civil within the rule of law and respect all in law enforcement.
[...] Warner Todd Huston notes at BigGovernment that Eric Stein (deputy assistant treasury secretary for consumer protection) was a lobbyist and [...]
It was pretty clear during the campaign that Obama was overpromising. Nothing new there, I'm afraid. My personal standpoint in the whole matter is as a formerly registered lobbyist who was able under the 20% guideline to deregister and did so to save his advisory cmte. appt. This list indicates an extreme interpretation of "lobbyist" under which one lands oneself lifetime in the L category by ever having had a client. I by no means know all these people but just a few of the names should be enough to create skepticism about the extreme interpretation. Eric Hirschhorn, for example, then a partner at Winston & Strawn, remarkably held the same subcabinet position at Commerce in the Carter and Reagan Admins to which he was appointed ; also the author on an authoritative textbook on export controls. Are we to believe that this is a bad "lobbyist" appointment? And did anyone understand that Obama would be precluding himself from appointing a popularly elected governor to a position if he or she had ever in the past had a client for pay? One can make a case for inconsistency between words and deeds, but inclusion of names such as these in the list to my mind undermines the case rather than buttressing it.
Superb website…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[...]……
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