The latest Hillary surrogates' meme: Obama accepts money from federal lobbyists

[ProSense]

Lobbyist

From the link:

METHODOLOGY: The totals on these charts are calculated from PAC contributions and contributions from individuals giving more than $200, as reported to the Federal Election Commission. Individual contributions are generally categorized based on the donor's occupation/employer, although individuals may be classified instead as ideological donors if they've given more than $200 to an ideological PAC.

Clinton took in $823,087 from registered lobbyists and members of their firms in 2007 and the second-biggest recipient was McCain, who took in $416,321, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based group which tracks political giving. Barack Obama, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, doesn't take money from registered lobbyists, although he received $86,282 from employees of firms that lobby, according to the center.

link

The fact is Hillary has said she accepts money from lobbyists (video).

This is just more of Hillary and her surrogates trying to prove Obama is more pro war, corrupt too, the leader of a cult (unlike Hillary) likes Republicans more than she does. Everything is: Obama did it too.

[ProSense]

1. No comments? n/t

[displacedtexan]

2. Did I miss something?

Is someone falsely accusing Obama of accepting lobbyists' money?

I saw something about bundling this morning, but I didn't read it.

What's the scoop?

[Tarc]

11. That you immediately assume it is false

pretty much invalidates you from an reasonable conversation about this topic.

[displacedtexan]

34. "The latest Hillary surrogates' meme" hinted...

... as to where you were going with this.

I didn't assume anything.

I just wanted an explanation.

[rinsd]

3. Whitehouse for sale are Hillary surrogates?

Total Raised: $101,429,497

Bundlers: 359

Lobbyist Bundlers: 10

http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/candidate.cfm?CandidateID=C0009

Obama's registered lobbyist bundlers - Updated

by Artificial Intelligence, Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 12:57:47 PM EST

"While pledging to turn down donations from lobbyists themselves, Senator Obama raised more than $1 million in the first three months of his presidential campaign from law firms and companies that have major lobbying operations in the nation's capital," Dan Morain wrote April 23, 2007, in the Los Angeles Times.

Stephen Weissman of the nonpartisan think tank Campaign Finance Institute said Obama "gets an asterisk that says he is trying to be different ... But overall, the same wealthy interests are funding his campaign as are funding other candidates, whether or not they are lobbyists," Morain wrote.

Public Citizen (WhiteHouseForSale.or) lists nine of Sen. Obama's fundraising bundlers as registered lobbyists who have collected in the neighborhood of $1.5 million for his campaign—in addition to their own personal contributions.

Frank M. Clark is chairman and chief executive officer of Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation. As an Obama bundler, Clark raised $200,000+. FEC records show that on January 26, 2007, he personally contributed $2,100 to Obama for America.

Scott Blake Harris is the managing partner of the Washington, D.C., firm Harris Wiltshire and Grannis, which handles such legislative issues as Communications/Broadcasting/ Radio/TV, Science/Technology, Telecommunications, and Trade (Foreign and Domestic), as well as representing the Computing Technology Industry Association. As an Obama bundler, Harris raised $200,000+. FEC records show that on March 15, 2007, he personally contributed $2,000 to Obama for America.

Allan J. Katz is a shareholder and chairman of the Policy Practice Group at Akerman Senterfitt in Tallahassee, Florida. Katz is a Member of the Florida Democratic Committee and Democratic National Committee, and Tallahassee City Commissioner. As an Obama bundler, Katz raised $200,000+ with Marilyn Katz of MK Communications (who personally contributed $1,000 to Obama for America on January 21, 2007).

Robert S. Litt is a partner at the Washington, D.C. firm Arnold & Porter, a regulatory and public affairs firm which represents multiple clients in a variety of industries. As an Obama bundler, Litt raised unknown amount of money. FEC records show that Litt personally contributed $2,300 on February 26, 2007 and $2,300 on May 2, 2007 to Obama for America.

Thomas J. Perrelli is managing partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Jenner and Block, a Chicago general practice law firm, which includes among its clients the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and Time Warner Inc. As an Obama bundler, Perrelli raised $200,000+. FEC records show that Perrelli personally contributed $2,100 on January 16, 2007 and $200 on March 5, 2007 and $2,300 on March 21, 2007 to Obama for America.

Thomas A. Reed is Of Counsel at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP K&L Gates), which represents multiple industries and multiple clients. As an Obama bundler, Reed raised $200,000+. FEC records show that on March 20, 2007, Reed contributed $2,300 to Obama for America.

Paul N. Roth is a partner at the New York firm Schulte Roth & Zabel, which represents financial institutions, investments, securities, including Cerberus Capital Partners. As an Obama bundler, Roth raised at least $50,000. FEC records show that on March 20, 2007, Roth personally contributed $2,300 to Obama for America.

Alan D. Solomont of Solomont Bailis Ventures in Massachusetts represents Health Services/HMOs. As an Obama bundler, Solomont raised $200,000+. FEC records show that Solomont personally contributed $2,100 on January 26, 2007; $2,500 on March 30, 2007 (Rebecca Solomont at the same address made two $2,300 contributions on the same day); and $2,300 on March 30, 2007 to Obama for America.

Tom E. Wheeler is managing director of Core Capital Partners, a private equity fund in Washington, D.C. As an Obama bundler, Wheeler raised $100,000+. FEC records show that Wheeler personally contributed $2,100 on January 16, 2007; $2,500 on May 2, 2007 and an additional $2,300 on May 2, 2007 to Obama for America. (Note: another $2,300 was added then removed also on May 2, 2007.)

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/1/11/125747/430

[ProSense]

14. That data is

inaccurate

Obama Returns Lobbyists’ Donations

The reality is as it's stated in the OP.

[rinsd]

16. Some of those lobbyist donations happened after the story you cite.

"Barack Obama (D) $86,283"

Good, you agree that Obama take lobbyist money.

[ProSense]

17. Again, read the OP, those are individual donations! n/t

[rodeodance]

22. The Bushies create their own reality as do your IPs--I trusht neither.

The reality is as it's stated in the OP.

[onenote]

4. I'm a lobbyist who supports Obama -- do you think he doesn't want my support?

If he doesn't want my money, so be it. Its stupid and he'll regret it because at the end of the day, the fact that you are a lobbyist doesn't mean that everything you do is about being a lobbyist. Frankly, my contribution is less of a threat to the "independence" of an elected official than the much larger bundled contributions put together by CEOs and top executives of big corporations. Does my $2300 "corrupt" more than the $400,000 plus contributed by people who work for Goldman Sachs? Or the $150,000 from folks who work for Time Warner?

If Obama gets the nomination, he'll get my money (even if he says he doesn't want it).

[ProSense]

5. If you read the OP, you would see that individuals contributions are not the issue! n/t

[rodeodance]

12. looky what I found--more slick stuff from Obama:

And while Obama doesn't accept lobbyists' money, he raised the $86,282 in cash from employees of firms whose business centers on lobbying. He takes in even more money from employees of law firms which also engage in lobbying, including $226,491 from those working for Sidley Austin LLP, his old law firm, which was paid $3.1 million to lobby by clients such as Caterpillar Inc. and United Parcel Service Inc.

For the lobbyists, the return comes if their candidate wins, said Mary Boyle, a spokeswoman for Washington-based Common Cause, which supports stronger lobbying laws.

``They certainly would get access and influence if and when he or she become the next president,'' Boyle said.

[onenote]

23. well, since the obama campaign has refused to take my money, I think there is an issue here

I'm just on the other side of it. I support Obama. I don't support his stated position which is not to accept contributions from lobbyists. I've been contacted by the Obama campaign several times asking for money and when I tell them I'm a registered lobbyist they thank me and hang up. I think that's stupid.

[Tarc]

6. Didn't we already cover this today?

Over at the Donation Bundlers for Obama Registered as Federal Lobbyists discussion?

Y'know, the one where you conveniently failed to follow-up after your "Where is the link showing that these people contributed to Obama's campaign?" question, which I answered.

Those people listed in his initial post match what I posted to you from http://opensecrets.org

[ProSense]

7. Your link shows a bunch of individual donations, not bundling from federal lobbyist! n/t

[Tarc]

9. The link shows federal lobbyists all donating to Obama

which is what this is all about. Sure seemed important enough that you first asked where the proof was, then when proof was given, the tune changed to "it doesn't matter"?

Looks like NonSense just got caught with his pants down.

[ProSense]

15. You are spinning: Obama did it too. No he didn't. Lobbyists are Hillary's problem. n/t

[rinsd]

19. Its not Obama did it too. Its Obama is full of shit.

Who cares about less than 1% of a candidate's contributions.

I could care less if Obama decided to take lobbyist dough. Its such a pittance of his haul what does it matter.

But Obama is saying I won't take money from lobbyists and uses that as part of his image when the truth is he does take lobbyist money.

[ProSense]

24. "Who cares...." Obviously, you do, and it's Hillary's problem, not Obama's n/t

[Tarc]

30. Does Clinton rail against lobbyists and run on a campaign platform of...

refusing to accept lobbyist money? No, she doesn't, as she does not have a problem with them. Neither do I, for that matter.

Obama says he is against lobbyist money, but takes it in anyways.

Do you not see the disconnect in his words vs. deeds?

[ProSense]

31. Obama did it too is pathetic and inaccurate! n/t

[MethuenProgressive]

8. Link to the DU thread titled "Obama accepts money from federal lobbyists"?

You invent the silliest things.

[rodeodance]

13. Thanks

[MethuenProgressive]

21. Still waiting.

[rodeodance]

10. LOOKY--Obama is just SNEAKY about how he gets his money!: see here:

And while Obama doesn't accept lobbyists' money, he raised the $86,282 in cash from employees of firms whose business centers on lobbying. He takes in even more money from employees of law firms which also engage in lobbying, including $226,491 from those working for Sidley Austin LLP, his old law firm, which was paid $3.1 million to lobby by clients such as Caterpillar Inc. and United Parcel Service Inc.

For the lobbyists, the return comes if their candidate wins, said Mary Boyle, a spokeswoman for Washington-based Common Cause, which supports stronger lobbying laws.

``They certainly would get access and influence if and when he or she become the next president,'' Boyle said.

[Bread and Circus]

18. Don't confuse people with facts Prosense. It gets in the way of their spin.

[mod mom]

20. Sounds like rovian projection since she is at the top choice of lobbyists:

Lobbyists -Hillary # 1

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?cycle=2008

Oil & Gas _Hillary # 4 (although TOP DEM)

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?Ind=E01

Pharm/Health Products-Hillary # 3 (TOP DEM)

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?Ind=H04

[mod mom]

25. note of interest there used to be a category "lobbyists' but now changed to

lobbyist & lawyers (interesting isn't it?) but HRC is still top:

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/sectors.asp?cycle=2008

[rinsd]

27. Nothing has changed, that is the selected sector section. Lobbyist is part of the selected industry

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?cycle=2008

[rinsd]

26. Obama made the top 10 on that list.

The difference Hillary never claimed she would refuse lobbyist money.

Obama does. In fact he makes that central selling point of his campaign.

And on Pharm/Health Products she is now #1 with Obama in 2nd behind about $12K

[ProSense]

29. She beat Obama fair and square in collecting money from Lobbyists

by $736,804.

[rinsd]

32. She never claimed she would refuse lobbyist donations. He did.

Glad to see you admitting he does take lobbyist dough though.

[rodeodance]

33. thanks. The outright lies and distorsions show their true colors!

[rodeodance]

28. You pour all lobbyists into a pail and dirty them!! The American nurses Association

and others have a lobby arm--they are patient advocates. Stop thrashing them and others who do good work for the common good!