The comment period on President Obama's March 20 executive order detailing rules for lobbyists' contacts with the administration on stimulus projects ended yesterday. David Wenhold, president of the American League of Lobbyists, submitted suggested rules revisions to the White House, but he doesn't expect that the administration will adopt his recommendations. Instead, his group is preparing to take the administration to court over the rules, and ALL is soliciting other organizations to join the fight.

The issue is a ban on oral communications from lobbyists to federal officials. "I want the president to succeed as much as any other guy but not at the cost of anyone's right to petition the government," said Wenhold on Monday at a compliance conference held at the office of McKenna, Long & Aldridge, a firm that represents some in the lobbying industry.

"I've never gotten a good answer [from the White House] as to what is improper influence," said Wenhold.

                                                                                                               -- Eliza Krigman