President-elect Obama has nominated another recent lobbyist to a high-level administration position. He tapped William V. Corr, executive director and a lobbyist (until June 30, 2008) for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, to be deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
This is the second time in the past week that a recent lobbyist has been nominated to a top- level position, though Obama has pledged that no political appointees "will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years."
As I noted yesterday, Obama's nominee for the number two job at the Pentagon, William Lynn, was a lobbyist as of June 30, 2008 for defense contractor Raytheon.
A third lobbyist may soon be nominated for a top administration slot. The Washington Post reported that Richard Verma, who is a member of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, is likely to get the job of assistant secretary of legislative affairs at the State Department. Verma, as of Sept. 30, 2008, was a registered lobbyist for Steptoe & Johnson.
When I asked Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor if the moves signal a shift in Obama's thinking on lobbyists in his administration, Vietor answered that Corr "has recused himself from dealing with the issue on which he used to lobby - tobacco - in his new role, and by doing so he is consistent with our policy. Furthermore, he is no longer a registered lobbyist."
With regard to Lynn, Vietor said: "Because Mr. Lynn came so highly recommended from experts across the political spectrum, the President-elect felt it was critical that he fill this position. We are aware that Mr. Lynn lobbied for Raytheon, and are working with Mr. Lynn to craft a role for him that is consistent with the President-elect's high standards while balancing the need to fill this critical national security position." Vietor declined to elaborate on what the transition team means by "crafting a role that is consistent with" Obama's standards.
As to Verma, Vietor said the transition team wouldn't comment on "speculation about nominations."
--Bara Vaida
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