Washington lawyer, Democrat, and media talking head Lanny Davis says the bad rap on the K Street crowd is all wrong.
In a column in today's Washington Times headlined "Lobbyists Are Good People, Too," Davis points out that lobbyists' "clients are companies that employ people, real people, sometimes hundreds of thousands of people who deserve to be considered when laws are made. The First Amendment protects petitioning and communicating with government." Critics "are hypocritical to use the word 'lobbyist' as an unqualified pejorative because what is a 'bad lobbyist for some is a 'good' lobbyist for others."
Davis offers a proposal for "total transparency" by lobbyists. Read what he has to say (click here). Is his idea a good one, or not? Post your comment to us at Under The Influence.
-- Robert Gettlin
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Responded on November 20, 2008 2:07 PM
Bara Vaida
A reader sent this to the blog:
Sharing a similar (and different) analysis that pre-dates Mr. Davis’…
OPINION
Reform oversight of lobbying activity
Derek M. LaVallee, vice president - U.S. Public Affairs Practice, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide - Washington
November 12, 2008
Until a few months ago, New York was on a short list of cities that are capitals of commerce but not of their country. But the recent implosion of the financial markets and the federal government's evolving response has effectively co-located our two capitals, with Washington firmly in charge. How the Washington-based influence industry leverages its new home court advantage while shaping fiscal policy will either compound the crisis or contribute to a solution.
Lobbying is a compulsory cog in the wheel of democracy. At its best, it helps citizens exercise their constitutional right to petition the government. It also educates the public about legislation that directly affects people's daily lives and builds coalitions to provide lawmakers a mandate for change. In a now famous response to a business ...
Read More
A reader sent this to the blog:
Sharing a similar (and different) analysis that pre-dates Mr. Davis’…
OPINION
Reform oversight of lobbying activity
Derek M. LaVallee, vice president - U.S. Public Affairs Practice, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide - Washington
November 12, 2008
Until a few months ago, New York was on a short list of cities that are capitals of commerce but not of their country. But the recent implosion of the financial markets and the federal government's evolving response has effectively co-located our two capitals, with Washington firmly in charge. How the Washington-based influence industry leverages its new home court advantage while shaping fiscal policy will either compound the crisis or contribute to a solution.
Lobbying is a compulsory cog in the wheel of democracy. At its best, it helps citizens exercise their constitutional right to petition the government. It also educates the public about legislation that directly affects people's daily lives and builds coalitions to provide lawmakers a mandate for change. In a now famous response to a business delegation advocating for reforms during the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "OK, you've convinced me. Now go out there and bring pressure on me."
At its worst, lobbying fosters an environment of misunderstanding, mistrust and corruption. Insert your favorite partisan scandal here.
With Congress appropriately precluded from funding efforts that result in lobbying itself, current regulatory and oversight models need to be revamped to preclude conflicts of interest. Recently, American International Group suspended its lobbying activities amid a growing backlash over its use of taxpayers' money. The old manipulation model of formal lobbying should no longer be in play for the finance industry.
Nobody knows how long this financial crisis will last. The federal government has assumed stewardship of our economy. Until that power is transferred back to New York, the Washington-based influence industry should be principled hosts of our country's new financial capital.
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