Obama: Leads in Hypocrisy Too [View All]

[Morgana LaFey]

I never have liked the guy all that much, but THIS makes me want to get busy campaiging against him. And fast.

Sirota pointed to it in his blog, also worth reading: http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=BEAA1AD7-E0C3-F084-D74FE7E45E334D6E


Basically, Obama isn't accepting MONEY from lobbyists, but he's eager to get their input, advice, etc. He'd better be careful, though. A case could be made that their consultations could be considered "in kind contributions" which should be reported to the FEC at the market value.

Obama’s K Street project
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obamas-k-street-project-2007-03-28.html

snip

Williams is actively building support for Obama among lobbyists and the corporate clients they represent. While other Obama supporters have described him as a leading activist, Williams demurs: “I wouldn’t want to put my position as a spearhead.” He acknowledges that the gains Obama is making among Washington’s Democratic establishment are hard to see because Obama’s K Street supporters have kept a low profile. As a result, Obama’s K Street network is a stealthy operation.

snip yeah, just what we need in Washington: more stealth and secrecy, more camouflage and obfuscation of the truth

“Senator Obama said when he set out this policy that it doesn’t solve the problem of money in politics but it is a sign and symbolic step in the right direction,” said Burton. “It’s not going to stop the sway that money has over policies or that special interests have over legislation, but it indicates the type of administration Obama would have if elected.”

snip and that is: more of the same. This is a distinction without a difference -- he's taking their "advice" but not their money. So that makes him the CHEAPEST date yet among the Dems. He's got to be their ideal candidate, a veritable wet dream for lobbyists: "Hey! Obama wants our input, but doesn't ask for any cash! Wow! What a guy!" And now, Obama in his own words:

“And as people have looked away in disillusionment and frustration, we know what’s filled the void,” said Obama. “The cynics, and the lobbyists, and the special interests who’ve turned our government into a game only they can afford to play. They write the checks and you get stuck with the bills, they get the access while you get to write a letter; they think they own this government, but we’re here today to take it back. The time for that politics is over. It’s time to turn the page.”

snip So he's turned to the page that says: they don't even have to write the damn chekcs. We'll GIVE it to them!

Other pro-Obama lobbyists are open about their plans to help him become president. “He’s like Bill Clinton with no baggage,” said Jimmy Williams, of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers. “He’s got that aura and people are talking about him. You realize you’re in the presence of something incredible. He has broad appeal.”

“He won’t take our money but we can go out and campaign for him,” he said. “I’m more than happy to campaign for the guy because the country is in dire need of honest leadership.”

snip and if Obama and his stealth lobbyist project is your idea of "honest leadership," it demonstrates vividly what the hell is wrong with Washington and politics in general. REAL wrong. Bah on Obama!




Oh -- and from the Sirota blog:

Frankly, other than Republican partisans, Clinton doesn't seem to have many ideological enemies. Same thing for Obama, and not just because he has a magnetic personality. Though he was a community organizer, Obama's Senate M.O. has been to avoid confrontation at all costs - and in my interview with him, he insinuated that such a posture is a deliberate goal.


and, worst of all IMO:

This isn't to say that Clinton or Obama are bad candidates. Obviously, they are way better than the Republican field, and Obama in particular has potential to grow into more of a leader - if he has the spine to shun the ruling-class sensibilities of the people he's surrounded himself with (as an aside - I sincerely hope this happens, though am not optimistic, considering Obama's top strategist is bragging to reporters that he is crafting a campaign aimed at shunning all ideology and issue-based stands in order to present a pure personality story).