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Democrats Dodge Obama's Lobbyist Ban

Money unwelcome at dinner with prez, OK at meeting tomorrow

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 18, 2009 10:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – Congressional Democrats have found a way around President Obama’s refusal to appear at events where lobbyists can make campaign contributions, Politico reports. Lobbyists won’t be able to donate at tonight’s fundraiser with Obama, but they’ll be more than welcome to do so tomorrow morning, at a specially convened “Issues Conference.” The invitations to the $5,000-a-head event all but spell out its ban-dodging mission.

“Please note that the Friday Issues Conference is NOT subject to lobbyist restrictions,” the e-mail reads, the sentence bolded for emphasis. Lobbyists aren’t happy. “It’s almost like the ugly girl that you want to call late at night—but don’t want to be seen with on a date,” said one. Nor are Democrats pleased; the ban will make their dinner far less lucrative than its Republican counterpart.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the new comprehensive regulatory reform plan yesterday at the White House. (AP Photo)

Democrats have found a way to take lobbyist cash after all. (Shutterstock)

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It’s kind of like going to Los Angeles and then excluding the entertainment industry. Well, then you’re going to have a lame event. - A senior Democrat, on excluding lobbyists from a congressional fundraising dinner

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

godawgs

Jun 18, 2009 6:34 AM CDT

Right but he said that lobbyist wouldn't run Washington anymore. So he won't appear at events with them, have them in his cabinet, etc...the issue is he is breaking that promise on a daily basis anyway. He has former lobbyist's in his cabinet and he does listen to those special interests that he said he wouldn't on the campaign trail. Now we don't want to here about how W did it for his 8 years or whatever comment you are going to make. This is about the President not living up to another campaign promise, and his own party getting around rules that the president put in place. So as reader said it is do as i say not as i do.

Fondue

Jun 18, 2009 5:21 AM CDT

I think both of you are missing the point, either intentionally or out of an inability to understand English. Congressional Dems are not the president. Two different and completely separate branches of the government.

Reader65069154

Jun 18, 2009 4:20 AM CDT

A slight variant from his normal "do as I say not as I do", we've moved to "ignore the man behind the curtain".

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Democrats Dodge Obama's Lobbyist Ban