E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
A former Florida congressman who has been a top campaign bundler for President Obama said Wednesday he is taking immediate steps to de-register as a lobbyist for a Florida-based airline so he can continue to raise funds for the president.
Ron Klein, who has raised between $200,000 and $500,000 for the president, was registered as a lobbyist last month for Spirit Airlines, a low-cost airline that has been fighting new Obama administration airline regulations. But the Obama campaign has a rule against accepting campaign contributions from federally registered lobbyists.
After the Washington Free Beacon website reported on his lobbyist role today -- noting that he is listed on the Obama campaign's website as one of its bundlers -- Klein told NBC News that his registration with the Secretary of the Senate last month was a "clerical error" by an employee of Holland & Knight, the Washington law and lobbying firm where he currently works. He will "de-register" with the Secretary of the Senate today, he said.
Klein said he had brought in Spirit Airlines as a client for Holland & Knight in keeping with his role of "business development" for the firm. But, he added, "I'm not a lobbyist" even thought he was listed as one of the three Holland & Knight lobbyists who were registered last month to work on issues relating to "Department of Transportation aviation regulations" and "customs and border protection" at Ft. Lauderdale airport.
The case illustrates the fuzzy rules of what constitutes lobbying in Washington. Spirit Airlines recently launched a campaign to overturn a new Transportation Department regulation allowing passengers to change flights within 24 hours of booking without paying a penalty.
The airline has launched a website to fight the new rule -- KeepMyFaresLow.org -- urging customers to contact their congressmen and senators and imposed a $2 fee on its customers it calls the "Department of Transportation Unintended Consequences Fee."
Klein said he knew Spirit Airlines, because it's located in his former district, resulting in his recruitment of the company for Holland & Knight.
"They want to express their story on Capitol Hill," he said.
When first contacted about Klein, an Obama campaign official said by email, "All of the funds he raised for the campaign were raised last year. At the moment, he became a federal lobbyist he stopped raising for the campaign."
But Klein said he had not heard from anybody in the Obama campaign. And, he added, he fully expects to continue raising money for the president's re-election.
"I understand the rules," he said.
Leave a Comment:
Looks like they're following the rules...
What's the problem?
In 2012 due to the Supreme Court's transparently motivated ruling:
The Presidential election is all about $Billions in hidden cash without fingerprints.
The Supreme Court and the wealthy corporates & politicians who sponsored Citizen's United are ultimately responsible for this deliberate & dangerous game with the American people.
That being the reality as it is, we will all play by the same public policy rules.
Ah, the Hope, the Change...the Transparency.
Business as usual amongst the crooks and the thieves.
Oh well, at least some are none too happy about Obama's ginormous flip-flop/refusal to stand on principle re: Super Pacs.
Lots of sore butts over at the NY Times today. And poor, dear little Robert Reich.
Fiesty
Looks like they're following the rules...
What's the problem?
The problem is it will be full blast on FOX NOISE's idiot box and the FOX-IFICATION will reverberate through out its echo chamber as the awful gawd's truth.
Citizen's United did not begin in 2008. It was implemented early in 2010, just in time to pour Big Money into Scott Brown.
At the State of the Union that year, President Obama said Citizen's United:
"will open the floodgates to special interests including foreign corporations and spend without limit in our elections."
The Obama campaign wants a constitutional amendment.
Any criticism of the campaign leveling the $$$playing field is facile.
True that Bev!
At least we have a 'heads up' for tomorrows
talkingsquawking point! ;o)If nothing else, they are predictable!
Is that "they're" ... "they are" ... or "they were" .... because they weren't.
Obama GOT BUSTED breaking another pledge by the media.
Yea .... pretty much what Obama says ..... "What's the problem?"
As Grouho said (something to the effect) .... I have principles, and if I don't like them I have another set of principles.
Please, get this
damnmoney. Right wing ramblers, Ramble on.x
bob-1805084
Obama GOT BUSTED breaking another pledge by the media.
Yea .... pretty much what Obama says ..... "What's the problem?
booby trap,
I think the words you wanted to use are President Obama is "undamaged!!!"
So Pen - where in the article are right wingers, the GOP, or anyone other than dems noted?
Non story----time to move on.
who has raised between $200,000 and $500,000 for the president
I like the sound of that, because God knows, the Koch Brothers and the Waltons are among the wealthiest families in the country, and they donate to Republican candidates like whores share profits with their pimps.
(too harsh?)
True dat, Steeler Fan!
....and to Mr. Klein.....That's the Spirit!
And poor, dear little Robert Reich
You have to give it to Reich at least he is honest and not a hipocrite.
Nice to know there is at least one progressive with principles.
Backhouse hoser,
"will open the floodgates to special interests including foreign corporations and spend without limit in our elections."
The guy felt so strongly ... so principled .... he had the gutless, pompous audacity to mock the Supreme Court in a SOTU .... and now he uses it for his own political expediency.
Hilarious.
Yea ... right.
First, he could care less as long as he is re-elected.
Obama had his "union" stacked deck re-shuffled with Citizens United ruling which ameliorated the odds. Obama doesn't like it for that reason alone.
The community organizer Obama only cares about his political advantage and anyone with a functioning brain stem knows it.
Spanky
This is a no story. The supreme court brought this dis-speakable way of raising money upon the nation.
Very sincerely, for GOP not to see anything wrong with this model of campaign finance simple because they want to defeat the President speaks volume.
It's a shame and the President decried it. Our democracy is for sale thank to the conservatives. The tonnes of money that will be spent will bring a quiver to this nation.
UPDATE: An Obama campaign official tells Politico that Ron Klein is “no longer associated with the campaign” and never raised any money after registering as a lobbyist. The campaign does not intend to return the cash.
Former Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.) is an active campaign bundler for President Obama, having raised between $200,000 and $500,000, according to campaign records.
He is also a registered federal lobbyist.
The revelation poses a challenge for President Obama, who has banned registered lobbyists from personally contributing or bundling donations to his campaign. The president even touted these self-imposed restrictions in a Dec. 28, 2011, fundraising e-mail, writing: “We don’t take a dime from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs—never have and never will.”
That email was sent days before Klein filed his paper work to become a “D.C. lobbyist.”
Klein, a two-term congressman, registered to become a lobbyist for Spirit Airlines, Inc., on Jan. 2, 2012, according to the Senate Office of Public Records—exactly one year after leaving office in 2011 after losing to Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) in the 2010 midterms. Federal law requires at least a one-year waiting period between leaving office and registering as a lobbyist.
When Klein joined the lobbying law firm Holland & Knight LLP as an adviser on regulatory issues, he told Politico he had not ruled out lobbying in the future. As a former corporate lawyer, he was a natural fit for the job.
The news comes on the heels of the administration’s newfound embrace of Super PACs, third-party groups capable of raising large amounts of money from wealthy corporations and individuals, but which do not have to disclose their donors. Obama had previously expressed disdain for such groups, calling them “a threat to our democracy.”
The president’s reversal on Super PACs has led some to question the president’s commitment to political reform. After all, reducing the influence of powerful special interests in Washington was a central element of Obama’s campaign platform in 2008.
“I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over,” he said on Nov. 10, 2007 in Des Moines, Iowa. “They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president.”
Obama also promised voters “lobbyists won’t find a job in my White House,” a claim the non-partisan watchdog website Politifact.com has rated a “promise broken.” ??? More like another LIE!!!
As Politifact notes, although the president signed an executive order codifying this pledge on his first full day in office, the administration has made use of a loophole in the order that permits “waivers” for former lobbyists to serve. In some cases, the administration has hired former lobbyists without a waiver and without disclosing details to the public.
FLIPPITY FLIP FLOP FLOP FLIP...
and they have the gaul to say what about Romney.
Ever hear of moral relativism? This could be an example.
Too dumb.
JAS1 - really - you think AMY has a clue about such things?
Come on - she's doodling on that Trapper Keeper "I love Obama" as she walks across those hot coals.
Bless her heart.
There you go, JAS1, envying rich people. Why do Republicans have such a problem with successful people?
Rich people are fine with me Amy. Someone has to pay the taxes. And what would Libbies like you do without them? You'd have nothing left to complain about.
He does not follow the constitution anyhow what's the point? I guess we should push it through anyhow so at least the participants in the next election might follow it.
He works for a law firm that are lobbyists, He is a lobbyist. It's that simple. Actually, they're EVADING the rules
Poor Spanky, picking on the women again...
On Lobbyists: Grover Norquist is a Wall Street Lobbyist who happens to control 99.9% of GOP congressionals - who have openly signed over to his rule - above their Oath of Office to this country.
Norquist has been in the business of controling our Government for the last 30 years on behalf of the 1%.
Norquist is the Koch Industries Lobbyist.
Norquist is the Principal Lobbyist for the Canada Keystone Pipeline.
What more?
What's up Mickey.
Picking on women? Nope, I have not said anything bad about you, yet.
Great stuff, right Mickey - Obama, an evil lawyer, hiring Klein, another lawyer.
See Mickster - lawyers kinda control the world. Sweet Fennel.
More Backhouse - you mean like the fact that Obama and everyone around him is a 1%-er? Too funny, but lovely rant. Feel better?
Hey, yeah hey, I know... Dude, just say your a "historian" not a lobbyist.
Mickey, NY -- Picking on women is the least offense... Just scrolling through the articles I caught the putrid smell of troll in here.
[Picking on women? Nope, I have not said anything bad about you, yet.]
Awwww...poor poor Spanky...quite the manly man, you are...your wife must be oh so proud of you...
..she is proud, right junior? I mean, even you said your own dog doesn't like you...
Damn, that must suck...
What's the matter Mickey - reading not your Strong suit?
I said my dog isn't as loyal as you.
But that was before I found out you are a chick. So this isn't about loyalty, but rather must be a crush thing.
And again, thanks Mickey.
[I said my dog isn't as loyal as you.]
Sure ya did, junior...sure ya did...wink wink...
Damn...that truly sucks when mans' best friend doesn't like you...
But you can always use it as a talking point, right junior?
Sure ya can...
LMAO! A non story for obama supporters but a multilayered story for any GOP candidate that does it. Is it any wondere why the right finds FR lefties so entertaining?
american,
Yep...indeed...the playbook of the left...deflection...any relevant story about them (because they made it relevant for the Republicans) and all of sudden it becomes a non-story...
Amy, you asked if your comments were "too harsh"? No, they're just plain ignorant.
By Golly, Obama seems to be having some moral issues with his bundlers. Of course that's not a REAL problem. Just because he preached the high road, chastised anyone who didn't follow the high road doesn't mean he really has to practice what he preaches. Heck, he did that in '08 when he lied about using public option money, come to think about it, he lied even before he got elected. Guess that says alot about his supporters.
It sucks when you get caught.
But I'm sure the minions here will be OK with the "Transparency".
So that's it then, eh WCA?
RIP Fisker. Oh well, now we got this global warming thing-y licked we don't need anymore coal powered cars.
Spanky I talked to some of the guys in Anaheim last weekend. they are all packing up and heading back to Michigan.
Guess the $100K electric car just couldn't find it's niche.
Couple of Hundred Million taxpayer dollars down the tubes.
Well, unless you live in Finland. those guys made out like bandits.
White Collar Auto
It sucks when you get caught.
But I'm sure the minions here will be OK with the "Transparency".
That's right Collar
How transparent is the GNOPee/Tea Potty?
I don't know Bev.
What is th GNOPee/Tea Potty?
Sound like when your Bridge Club runs out of Depends?
Coal powered cars are just stupid.
Plus - how amusing is it that the average income of a Volt owner is $174k? Guess it's the official vehicle of the 1% - not like our good friends Feisty, Backhouse or Bev could afford one, let alone a Karma.
I am loving the new Equus. Nice and much cheaper than an LS470. Plus as an early adopter of Infiniti ['90 Q45] I feel almost compelled to rock a Hyundai - I just wished they create a new brand.
White Collar Auto
I don't know Bev.
What is th GNOPee/Tea Potty?
Sound like when your Bridge Club runs out of Depends?
Get back to work Collar and see what you can absorb there.
Spanky-
The only thing you rock is insanity. You should be flying over your cuck-coo's nest right about now judging from all the looney posts you have made; thus far.
Well said Bev. Well said.
Soooo...Spanky's talking points for this evening are:
Fisker...
Volt...
Coal powered cars (?)...
...oh wait...or is it Corzine...?
Heck no Mickey - it's I love all the super insightful stuff you come up with.
So when will that start?
Deep thoughts my girl, deep thoughts.
Has anyone else noticed how the left wing talking points have been evolving. First it was all wealthy people including the wealthiest that were bad. Then I guess somebody pointed out that Warren Buffect was the third wealtiest man in the world so it became the hedge fund managers on Wall Street. Then somebody pointed out that George Soros made his fortune amongst other ways as a hedge fund manager. I guess to be fair we should keep in mind that he made at least a billion almost bankrupting the Bank of England and destroying the economies of a couple of small countries. There was talk of how insurance companies were ripping us off then that stopped and I couldn't figure out why then I found out that Peter Lewis of Progressive was a big democrat supporter with donations to America Coming Together and MoveOn.org (with George Soros matching his $10 and $2.5 million, respectively
I guess having to adjust your promises is just a hazard of the job.
[Deep thoughts my girl, deep thoughts.]
Ok...now you're really creeping me out...you have this infatuation with "internet women"...
...can't come up with something in "real time", junior?
Sure you can...
Well spanky looks like mickeys only talking points is spanky, spanky, spanky, spanky. Such a one sided boring individual. New york sure has changed since I left years ago.
To think that poor mickey has never heard of coal powered cars, he must really live a cloistered life.
[To think that poor mickey has never heard of coal powered cars...]
"american"...please don't think...it's so not your strong suit.
Cut the Skanky groupie some slack will ya Mickey?
Toss her a troll snack sit back & watch her roll onto her back! ;o)
[Cut the Skanky groupie...]
I wonder if "she" knows that junior loves to pick on women...or that Skanky is too weak to even stick to a "diet" for 10 days...
[Toss her a troll snack...]
So THAT'S what junior has stuffed in his pockets...
Along with everything else that wasn't nailed down at the restaurant! lol
You know the type, they ask for extra bread & butter then demand a 'to go box'!
Cheap bastard! ;o)
And here I was under the impression that progressives think everyone should be treated as "equals". But judging by Mickey and Fiesty's complaint that Spanky "likes picking on women" obviously I was wrong. Progressives, Mickey and Fiesty anyway, believe women are weak and can't stand up for themselves. That it is unfair for a man to challenge them. That by doing so a man is "picking" on them. Of course this is to be expected since progressive hypocrisy knows no bounds. For example: Obama claiming lobbyists are destructive to government and then hiring lobbyists as part of his staff and accepting campaign contributions from them. Or how about Obama lambasting the Supreme Court's Citizen United decision (and the evil it represents in allowing for super PACs) in last years State of the Union reading but now setting up super PACs for himself. Of course who can forget Obama banning most drilling in the Gulf of Mexico while at the same time backing loans for George Soros and Brazil to drill for oil in... wait for it... the Gulf of Mexico! Then there is my favorite example of progressive democrats hypocrisy. The creation of pro-forma Senate sessions by Harry Reid (that Obama and the rest of the progressive democrats in the Senate supported) in order to prevent Bush from exercising his right to make recess appointments but now claiming the same pro-forma Senate sessions do not prevent Obama from making recess appointments. Of course since progressives can't support their arguments with facts they focus on making personal attacks and trying to belittle anyone who dares to disagree with them. Attempting to silence people by calling them racists or making comments about their family used to be a fairly successful strategy. The key phrase there is "used to be". Now it is just pathetic.
Aww fiesty and her idolator are trying to make points, how sweet.
So micky what does a coal fired car imply? Fiesty stocking the steam generator?
Dmac: Well, you have to understand that it is getting harder and harder to defend Obama. He keeps acting like a 'republican' (their conception of one, anyways) and his little supporters are reduced to name calling and insults in a weak and rather puerile attempt to continue to defend their idol. People of intelligence would see through the smoke and mirrors, especially after so much smoke and so many broken mirrors but then, they do support Obama...
.
Under the current law. This is imperfectly legal. Yes America! We can thank the GOP/RNC "Lobbyists/Justices" in the US Supreme Court. Again! The TeaBeggerGOP Supreme Court Justices saw huge dollar signs, and not the US Constitution. That is fact!
Damn straight Progressive.
Wait, what?
This here is a democrat.
Oh I know - he is under GOP mind control. The same mind control that 'forced' Obama to get his super pac on.
Delicious. I guess you are saying we cannot expect the dems to do 'the right thing.' Nope, they are gop puppets.
Spanky keeps opening his word hole, but nothing seems to come out...
Oh wait...there it is...another talking point...
...SUPER PAC...!
Naa, Mickey, not super pac, that craps just about advertisements, and since we all have remote controls and all...
Mind control, my girl, mind control - as in the GOP controls Obama to such an extent he's all for SUPER PACS now.
Isn't that a 'surprise?'
Kinda like the Mickey dog whistle I have. Thanks for that Mickey - it's very amusing.
Gee, junior...what happened to having me on "ignore"?
Oh, I understand...can't find the button or just can't figure out just what "ignore" means?
spanky - that must explain why obama is channeling reagan and wanting to bring trickle down economics back.
It will be a cinch that mickey won't understand, after all he still hasn't figured out coal powered cars yet.
My My the cons on this vine are showing just how much they know the inevitable which come November after the re-election they will still be crying about the same bogeymen. What scares the right is that they are afraid they can't control events and we all know it's about control with them. They are so obsessed with the president it haunts their waking hours. Look how much time they put in at a site like this and yet they claim to be gainfully employed. Another definition might be...stalkers. Keep screaming and crying because you have no agenda no new ideas no imagination and definitely no sense.
Since when is the Supreme Court, being packed very full with liberal thinkers, and two brand new Obama appointments who have both publicly stated that they do not believe in the documents that they are supposed to adjudicate part of the general right wing insanity????
I have a lot of respect for Michael Isikoff and appreciate the story but find myself wondering what the big deal is. It's all legal. Oh, that's right, the word lobbyist appears in the same sentence as President Obama.
Jody,
I couldn't agree more!
I fail to find any 'scandal' in any of this...
Nope Jody - the issue is not lobbyist, but rather bundler.
You know like John Corzine.
Say, what's John up to these days? He was a great bundler for Obama.
Jody, I like M.Isikoff too. He is one of the best and most honest around. But I remember not being to happy with him when he wrote that article about the validity of Paula Jones claims.
Wow lisa - that was very honest.
Sad, but honest.
So were you not happy about the validity, or just that he wrote an article.
Wait, nevermind.
Spanky, I was being honest Spanky. I give him credit for having the integrity to write something controversial. Even if it wasn't something I wanted to hear.
[You know like John Corzine.]
Annnnnnnd....there it is!
Still persuing that tired old "conspiracy theory" junior? A smart peanut like yourself?
Say it ain't so!
Oh wait...I forgot to ask you how your support for Gingrich's "moon base" is coming...or are you now a Santorum fan?
...sure you are...you love the "flava of tha week", right junior?
Oh shoot Mickey I forgot to thank you.
I got that letter for the bar you been talking about all this time.
Awesome - thanks for the recommendation. I am going to take them up on their offer.
You are the best little friend a guy could have. :)
[I got that letter for the bar you been talking about all this time.]
You must have me confused with someone who actually gives a crap...but hey...if you're THAT paranoid...
...still can't find that "ignore" button, I see.
Sad, really...you try so hard to be so smart...
Well one must fight fire with fire and this looks like the parties supporting the reelection of the President are ready to follow the rules set up for them by the scum bags on the other side.
Ron Klein would have a definate conflict of interest if he remained a lobbyist for the airline. That airline fighting the regulations set down by the Obama Administration. I know politics makes for strange bedfellows but enough is enough and saner heads prevail here.
Yeah - fire with fire. Principles be damned.
Classic stinky politician more worried about re-election that anything else.
Know what's funny? This story, coupled with the Super PAC flip flop, prove my point-
If Obama strangled a puppy on live television, his cultists would rally to his defense.
Then they wonder why I call them cultists.
[If Obama strangled a puppy on live television...]
You know what's NOT funny?...the Smiffy Syndrome...you both seem to have this perverse fetish about strangling puppies on live television...
Maybe it's just a reflection of your true character?
...yeah, that's it...
Hey Mickey - WTF?
That was a comment to NOJO, not me.
Wow, and here I was thinking you couldn't do it.
Way to go!
Don't forget, junior...look for the "ignore" button...
...you can do it, I have faith in you!
...sure ya can...
Spanky, I think Mickey is feeling the pressure of having to defend the comments about her Messiah's flip/flop on super PACs. All she can come up with right now is begging to be put on ignore. Hang in there Mickey I'm sure old Red is out searching for a lame excuse.
@Bob Jones..... I believe you are 100% correct. Even Mickey is tired of defending the indefensible. You can only call someone names and make up crude things to say about them for so long.
The folks on the right are always looking for anything to nail the President on. So, they come up empty again. So far, they have the 57 states line, and teleprompters.
Voting for Obama in 2008 was a fashion statement.... much like it was once a fad to buy Beanie Babies, pet rocks and Cabbage Patch Kids. It was to let everyone know that you weren't a racist.
But instead of ending up with a ridiculous dust-collector at the bottom of your closet, the Obama fad leaves you with higher taxes, higher unemployment, higher gas prices, a reduced retirement fund, enormous government debt, a bloated federal government and eventually a one-year wait for an MRI.
In 2008 you proved to everyone that you're not a racist by voting for Obama. Now you'll have to vote for someone else in 2012 to prove to everyone you're not a complete idiot.
No news here. He was simply a lobbyist before he wasn't a lobbyist.
Even better, we can now feel safe because Super PACS are no longer a threat to democracy.
Hope&Change is super fantastic, no?
Yep!!! This is what they need to try to make the President look as bas as possible even though there's nothing here.
How will the Weeper 'splain this!.... He has already been outed as having stock in some of the companies tied to the XL pipeline.
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/08/Congress-Sends-Millions-to-Groups-Tied-to-Relatives.aspx#page1
The "Crazy Conservative" Supreme Court Justices have judicially hung themselves big time. Their "Special Interests" are not representing the fairness of the law but, the "Economic Greed" of the Koch Brothers. These GOP/RNC "Lobbyist/Justices" are not using their minds on what is fair or just. They are instead using their GOP/TeaBegger "Special Interests" of lining their robes with as much donated cash as possible. The President Of The United States can mess up these "Crazy Conservative" GOP Justices big time. The President can have the US Justice Department investigate Judicial Fraud, and that is just for starters. Then the President can call in the IRS to investigate all of their tax returns with a fine tooth comb. Now the Founding Fathers made it very clear America. DO NOT make the most powerful individual in the world "Suspicious."
Has anyone else noticed how the left wing talking points have been evolving. First it was all wealthy people including the wealthiest that were bad. Then I guess somebody pointed out that Warren Buffet was the third wealthiest man in the world so it became the hedge fund managers on Wall Street. Then somebody pointed out that George Soros made his fortune amongst other ways as a hedge fund manager. I guess to be fair we should keep in mind that he made at least a billion almost bankrupting the Bank of England and destroying the economies of a couple of small countries. There was talk of how insurance companies were ripping us off then that stopped and I couldn't figure out why then I found out that Peter Lewis of Progressive was a big democrat supporter with donations to America Coming Together and MoveOn.org (with George Soros matching his $10 and $2.5 million, respectively
I guess having to adjust your promises is just a hazard of the job.
I agree that the Citizens United decision was a poor one. But in order to be "fair" they had to decide this way. After all... you progressives are all about "fairness" right? What should have happened was unions should have been banned from making political contributions.
Here is how simple it should be to determine who can make political contributions. If you are legally eligible to register to vote then you should be allowed to make political contributions. I know of zero corporations or unions that have, or are even eligible to request, a voter registration card. Neither a corporation nor a union can vote so they should not be allowed to make political contributions.
ooh, a threat, Progressive. Is that what Obama's down to now, threatening people he doesn't like /
...and how to bend them.
Wow. If you follow the tag-team Obama Girls from Illinois, it seems they're giddy that Obama is getting away with another one. Integrity and truthfulness seems to not matter to them. They make good Obama voters.
What kind of sleazy leftist POS would raise money for our 3rd World Marxist President? Don't be fooled! There's a reason for the old adage "Democrats are commies in drag...."
So, instead of representing a small airline he instead decides he'll just be a bundler for Obama.
I wonder how many Billions of taxpayer dollars that's going to cost us in payback.
The President is a hypocrite. He says he is allergic to lobbyista but he has this registered lobbyist (Ron Klein) as a top fundraiser and he also has de-registered lobbyists on his staff and running his campaign. De-registration means you and I have no idea who they are, what they are paid to work on, who pays them, and how much they are paid. So much for transparency. As long as the media and the President bashes lobbyists, people will de-register and do whatever they want without any media or general public oversight.
dcuning30 when the Illi twins think Barry is being naughty it makes whats running down their legs even warmer.
To the Left the ends justify the means. Doesn't matter the level of hypocrisy.
No news here. He was a lobbyist before he wasn't a lobbyist.
Even better, we can now feel safe because Super PACS are no longer a threat to democracy.
Gee. Let's see who was it that claimed he was going to use only campaign finance funds if McCain agreed. That would have been Obama. Of course, as soon as chump McCain agreed, Obama changed his tune and took every last dollar he could grub, from any donor, and outspent McCain 3 to 1. General rule... if Obama's lips are moving, he's lying.
Obama--"do whatever you can do to raise a lot of money for my reelection". Money talks with Obama
So far, President Obama has raised 60% of his contributions from individual people with donations of 200 or less. Mitt Romney has raised 9% of his money from individuals, the rest from his billionaire and millionaire friends. Carl Rove had a meeting with a group of rich people last week and expects each one to give at least 1,000,000 and prefers 10,000,000. This is the definition of communism, not democracy. Check it out... Google the definitions. of both. When a small group of people decide and control government and elections that's communism. Newt felt the power of money in Iowa and Florida, being outspent 5 to 1. Even Rick Santorum pointed out after sweeping the last 3 states, that democracy worked as Mitt Romney didn't spend much money in Missouri or Minnesota, which Rich won by 20 to 30 points. In Colorado, Mitt spent the most and lost by less than 10 points. Is this the kind of country we want, to be bought and paid for ? President Obama called out the Supreme Court at the 2010 State of the Union for the Citizens United decision, predicting what is happening now. It was the GOP that took this to the Supreme Court in order to get free spending by corporations and the rich to control elections, not the DEMS or the President. President Obama had no choice if he wants to compete this election cycle as the numbers above show. President Obama is committed to changing this decision by the Supreme Court and once re-elected will work to get it done. Make no mistake, this country is being taken over by Corporations and the rich.
Obama is expected to escape SEC scrutiny mostly because he declined an $84 million public grant for his campaign that automatically triggers an audit and because the sheer volume of cash he raised and spent minimizes the significance of his errors. Another factor: The FEC, which would have to vote to launch an audit, is prone to deadlocking on issues that inordinately impact one party or the other – like approving a messy and high-profile probe of a sitting president.
Never seen so many RWNJs on this vine before looks like they took a page out of Sal Alinsky's playbook. Your actions are pathetic as if posting here in numbers changes the facts of where this election is headed. posting their crap w/o facts its just another of their idiotic attempts to prove just how ignorant they are. Without any ideas and candidates they stalk this vine because they're saving the country. snark!
talkingtoyou - Shooting the messenger(s) is rarely a successful strategy but good luck. However, if you decide to end your state of self induced ignorance, you might want to look at the facts. Obama has lied to the electorate continously since his '08 campaign. Oh, BTW, our national debt has quadrupled since then too.
Two years ago, in his state of the union speech Obama said that he "will not allow lobbyist in his administration"...oh really..check it out:
•Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm [now confirmed].
•Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year on behalf of the National Education Association.
•William Lynn, deputy defense secretary nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for defense contractor Raytheon, where he was a top executive.
•William Corr, deputy health and human services secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until last year for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a non-profit that pushes to limit tobacco use.
•David Hayes, deputy interior secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until 2006 for clients, including the regional utility San Diego Gas & Electric.
•Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for financial giant Goldman Sachs.
•Ron Klain, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, was registered to lobby until 2005 for clients, including the Coalition for Asbestos Resolution, U.S. Airways, Airborne Express and drug-maker ImClone.
•Mona Sutphen, deputy White House chief of staff, was registered to lobby for clients, including Angliss International in 2003.
•Melody Barnes, domestic policy council director, lobbied in 2003 and 2004 for liberal advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Constitution Society and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
•Cecilia Munoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, was a lobbyist as recently as last year for the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group.
•Patrick Gaspard, White House political affairs director, was a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union.
•Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff to the president's assistant for intergovernmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005.
So much for "Hope & Change" LOL
NOBAMA2012, the END of an ERROR
ssmith: Yup, definitely a 'ignore what I do and only pay attention to what I say' kinda guy.
Amy, NOT harsh enough. The truth is like the rain.... it don't care who gets wet.
What a bunch of BS that is. Especially given that he would have had to sign off on the paper work, etc... So I guess Obama is ok with using a bundler that lies, as long as he/she is not registered as a lobbyist any more. But it will be OK if he/she goes back to lobbying once the campaign dough is in the coffers.
Voting for Obama in 2008 was a fashion statement.... much like it was once a fad to buy Beanie Babies, pet rocks and Cabbage Patch Kids. It was to let everyone know that you weren't a racist.
But instead of ending up with a ridiculous dust-collector at the bottom of your closet, the Obama fad leaves you with higher taxes, higher unemployment, higher gas prices, a reduced retirement fund, enormous government debt, a bloated federal government and eventually a one-year wait for an MRI.
In 2008 you proved to everyone that you're not a racist by voting for Obama. Now you'll have to vote for someone else in 2012 to prove to everyone you're not a complete idiot.