Thursday, March 25, 2010 12:02 PM
Lobbying Defended At Dinner
The Obama Administration's lobbying rules came under fire last night at a large gathering of advocacy professionals devoted to honoring achievement in the field.
"We lobbyists have had a challenging year," said Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld partner Joel Jankowsky, who said his peers have been "scape-goated" by the administration as the definitive source of corruption in Washington.
Obama's rules have had unintended consequences, Jankowsky argued, such as pushing lobbyists to deregister from the official rolls on Capitol Hill. He singled out campaign contributions as an area that remains problematically unregulated.
In a speech to accept a lobbying award, Jankowsky argued that Obama's rules reinforce the faulty notion that politicians are inherently susceptible to corruption, adding that the reputation of the lobbying profession is tarnished by the behavior of a few bad actors. Jankowsky also pointed to checks on the system, including the press corps and bloggers. "No special interest gets a free ride," he said.
Jankowsky was honored with the Business-Government Relations Award by the Bryce Harlow Foundation at the annual ceremony, which is "given to a leader in the advocacy profession in recognition of a lifelong career as an exemplary role model," according to the foundation, a non-profit aimed at promoting high standards in lobbying.
Jankowsky is one of three senior executive partners at Akin Gump, a firm he joined over three decades ago. Before that, he was an aide to the late House Speaker Carl Albert, D-Okla. In accepting the award, Jankowsky thanked his wife who "stayed married to me even when I read the Congressional record in bed at night."
Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., also snagged a prize, as well as an introduction from Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., who drew laughs when he said attendees "might be surprised to see a Republican saluting a Democrat" this week. Stuck at work, the two senators spoke by video.
Check out pictures here and a video played at the event here, featuring Sens. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., Olympia Snowe, R-Maine., and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.
Jacob Black
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Obama's rules have had unintended consequences, Jankowsky argued, such as pushing lobbyists to deregister from the official rolls on Capitol Hill. He singled out campaign contributions as an area that remains problematically unregulated.
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james bunt
Monday, November 15, 2010
Obama's rules have had unintended consequences, Jankowsky argued, such as pushing lobbyists to deregister from the official rolls on Capitol Hill. He singled out campaign contributions as an area that remains problematically unregulated. Christmas gifts for employees - Christmas gifts for mom
Tony Dockery
Friday, March 26, 2010
Im sure there are legitimate good lobbyists in the busines just like there are some good politicians but it seems to me the bad politicians and bad lobbyists always find each other and bad things happen to this great country we get sold out for campaign contributions on the above board and god knows what is handed under the table..Big example the deregulation that lobbiests traded favors and money for and look at all the misery that caused so excuse me if I dont share your enthusiasm for the business it is never good for americans no matter how good your intentions are.
Tony Dockery
Friday, March 26, 2010
Im sure there are legitimate good lobbyists in the busines just like there are some good politicians but it seems to me the bad politicians and bad lobbyists always find each other and bad things happen to this great country we get sold out for campaign contributions on the above board and god knows what is handed under the table..Big example the deregulation that lobbiests traded favors and money for and look at all the misery that caused so excuse me if I dont share your enthusiasm for the business it is never good for americans no matter how good your intentions are.