Raw Story has a story up, post State of the Union Address, on the impact on Federal Lobbying.
Trouble has been building for earmark lobbyists for years since separate scandals involving earmark improprieties sent lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) to jail.
The crackdown on targeted spending projects secreted into appropriations bills seems to be reaching a head, and one lobbyist told Roll Call the industry is "pretty close" to a crisis.
A crisis in the lobbying industry? Perhaps that's why the economy is, well, headed for a recession.
I have an idea, why don't we just elect lobbyists to the House and Senate and eliminate the need for the "middle guy"?
The "good ones" don't seem to be worried though.
"Ironically, the more they raise the bar, the more folks like us who are really good are valued," lobbyist Rich Gold told Newmyer. Gold heads the lobbying practice at Holland & Knight, where he said business has grown at least 10 percent for the last two years.
"...folks like us who are really good" heh?
Me thinks there is a fine line between very good and having the key's to the Congresspersons front door.
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