I for one am going to raise a holy stink if and when I see hypocrisy, appeasement, or any form of backsliding on lobbyist reform by Democrats.
Believe me, I know that this is a new repub talking point: I work with a dittohead and he in his glorious hypocrisy talks up all the slander on Hastings, Murtha, and every Dem politician that has ever had an ethical cloud over their heads but... get this... he didn't even know what the K-street project was... I shit you not.
So call me a concern troll. I don't care. If Democrats try to water down lobbyist reform and if the cute little process where lobbyists go to work for politicians and vice versa expands under Democrats, I'm going to yell.
Despite the hypocritical repub talking points, we are seeing signs of the hypocrisy on the Dems' side nevetheless:
Companies caught in the Democrats' cross hairs, such as oil and drug firms, are hiring Democratic lobbyists, but they're holding on to their Republican lobbyists. They reason that they will need to persuade Republican lawmakers to block bills they dislike in the Senate, where 60 out of 100 votes are required to pass anything of consequence. Democrats hold only a 51 to 49 majority.
In addition, in a move that is raising ethical questions, some Democratic lobbyists are planning to take congressional staff jobs, attracted by the chance to wield real clout.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Now, I'm sure this article has been discussed but I want to discuss it and I hope every one of us will go and read it and read what's going on behind the scenes as the lobbyists scramble to retain their influence with the Democratic majority.
I am pre-emptively getting pissed the fuck off because the tea leaves indicate that Dems are planning on whooping it up with the lobbyists despite all the talk of reform. And you know what, I do NOT care that the lobbyists are sympathetic to the progressive agenda.
It is all about fairness and what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
There do appear to be some exceptions to the rule; our very own Jon Tester seems to be worrying Big Pharma lobbyists as does Sherrod Brown:
The defeat of Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) "creates a big hole we will need to fill," the e-mail says. Sen.-elect Jon Tester (D-Mont.) "is expected to be a problem," it says, and the elevation to the Senate of Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) "will strengthen his ability to challenge us."
But unless I'm misreading this, Senator Menendez will be one to watch to see if he abuses his power:
The e-mail also mentions that Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) "has worked closely" with the company and that the firm's PAC had supported six Democratic senators who faced reelection. "These relationships should help us moderate proposals offered by Senate Democrats," the e-mail says.
I for one will hold no quarter with Dems who talk out of both sides of their mouths.
Just saying....
[Update: How did I forget to mention earmarks as John Campanelli points out some problems already happening with earmarks?
Something big has to happen with earmarks, something more than just transparency...]