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Under Obama, It's the 'Summer of the Lobbyist'

'It Girl' emerges as health, climate, economy converge

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2009 12:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama the candidate railed against lobbyists' influence—but under his administration, the Washington movers and shakers are flourishing. With health care reform, the environment, and the economy in focus all at once, it’s the “Summer of the Lobbyist,” writes Manuel Roig-Franzia in the Washington Post. At the center of it all is Heather Podesta, “an It Girl in a new generation of young, highly connected, built-for-the-Obama-era lobbyists.”

Podesta is well connected: her brother-in-law is John Podesta, President Clinton’s former chief of staff and Obama’s transition boss; her husband is another big-time lobbyist. The couple estimates they’ve “donated to or held fundraisers for” most Democratic senators; Heather Podesta has donated some $48,250 to politicians this year. That’s a figure that would make watchdogs cringe over “influence-buying,” but it’s not unusual among lobbyists, who say their checkbooks are key to their survival.

Heather Podesta is at the forefront of a 'new generation' of lobbyists.
Heather Podesta is at the forefront of a 'new generation' of lobbyists.   (©cliff1066)
Heather Podesta stands with her husband Tony, center, at the National Portrait Gallery.
Heather Podesta stands with her husband Tony, center, at the National Portrait Gallery.   (©cliff1066)
Heather Podesta, right, is lobbying's 'It Girl.'
Heather Podesta, right, is lobbying's 'It Girl.'   (©cliff1066)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
Fondue
Aug 25, 2009 12:12 PM CDT
Actually, I did try looking this up and didn't find where "bureaucrats and government owned everything", which is obviously an embellishment on your part. I wasn't testing you. I want sources that back up your claims. All you have done is restate in detail your previous comment. To use a belabored internet meme - links. If you choose not to, that's fine too.
CaptainZ64
Aug 25, 2009 12:10 PM CDT
Fondue I stand corrected.
Fondue
Aug 25, 2009 12:05 PM CDT
The thing is, when government owns everything, that's communism - not socialism. (My previous mention of communism should have been capital C communism.)

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