Wake Up America

Talking Points - Obama and Lobbyists

September 16th, 2008

Obama’s Campaign Uses Federal Lobbyists As Advisors And Volunteers, Despite His Attacks On McCain:

Obama’s Campaign Relies On Lobbyists As Advisers And Volunteers. “Sen. Barack Obama’s refusal to accept donations from federal lobbyists is a centerpiece of his White House bid, but lobbyists still advise the Democratic front-runner and volunteer on his campaign, underlining the enduring connection between special interests and politicians.” (Mary Jacoby, “Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08 )

Obama’s Campaign Has Refused To Release A List Of Outside Advisers, But Admitted That Federal Registered Lobbyists Could Be Included In It. “There is no full list of lobbyists advising Sen. Obama, and a campaign spokesman declined to release the campaign’s list of outside advisers. Some advisers have asked to remain anonymous, citing professional or personal reasons, said Tommy Vietor, an Obama spokesman, who acknowledged that federally registered lobbyists may be among them.” (Mary Jacoby, “Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08 )

CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP AND STAFF

David Axelrod, Chief Political Strategist, Served As A Consultant For Commonwealth Edison:

Since 2002, Obama’s Chief Political Strategist, David Axelrod, Has Served As A Consultant For Commonwealth Edison. “In addition, Mr. Obama’s chief political strategist, David Axelrod, has worked as a consultant to Exelon. A spokeswoman for Exelon said Mr. Axelrod’s company had helped an Exelon subsidiary, Commonwealth Edison, with communications strategy periodically since 2002, but had no involvement in the leak controversy or other nuclear issues.” (Mike McIntire, “Nuclear Leaks And Response Tested Obama,” The New York Times, 2/3/08 )

Steve Hildebrand, Deputy Campaign Manager, Served As A Federal Lobbyists Before Joining Obama’s Campaign:

Obama’s Deputy Campaign Manager, Steve Hildebrand, Served As A Federal Lobbyist For An Environmental Group Before He Joined Obama’s Campaign. “Obama adviser Steve Hildebrand said the campaign has no problem with lobbyists volunteering to work, but no federal lobbyists are on the campaign’s payroll and they cannot donate money or collect it from others. … For instance, Hildebrand said he gave up federal lobbying work for an environmental group as a condition of taking his paid staff position.” (“Fact Check: Clinton Says Lobbyists Run Obama South Carolina Campaign,” The Associated Press, 1/22/08 )

POLICY ADVISERS

Robert Sussman, Energy And Environment Policy Adviser, Served As A Federal Lobbyists Until He Joined Obama’s Campaign:

Robert Sussman Serves As An Obama Campaign Energy And Environment Policy Adviser. (George Washington University Website, www.gwu.edu, Accessed 2/25/08 )

• Sussman Also Helps Raise Funds For Obama’s Campaign. “Attorney Robert Sussman, one of the organizers, said in an interview that he was a registered lobbyist until recently, when he decided to help Obama raise money. So that he might do so, he said, the campaign requested that he drop his registration.” (Dan Morain, “An Asterisk To Obama’s Policy On Donations,” Los Angeles Times, 4/22/07 )

Sussman Was A Registered Federal Lobbyist Until February Of 2007, Days Before He Contributed To Obama’s Presidential Campaign. “Sussman dropped his lobbying registration on Feb. 28 of last year and made his Obama campaign contribution March 8.” (Dawn Reeves, “Former Top EPA Officials Play Key Advisory Roles In Presidential Races,” Inside EPA, 1/11/08 )

Sussman Served As Lead Lobbyist For An Organization Called Energy For A Clean Air Future. “Sussman is the lead lawyer and lobbyist for a group of electricity-producing companies called Energy for a Clean Air Future. That group represents Cinergy Corp., PPL (Pennsylvania Power & Light) Corp., Reliant Energy Inc., Tampa Electric Co., TransAlta Corp., and Wisconsin Electric Power Co.” (“Energy-Industry’s Links To Regulators, Administration Worry Environmentalists,” The Washington Post, 9/10/01 )

Daniel Shapiro, Foreign Policy Adviser, Is Registered To Lobby For American Petroleum Institute:

“Daniel Shapiro, Who Advises Sen. Obama On Foreign Policy Issues, Is Registered To Lobby On Behalf Of The American Petroleum Institute And Other Corporate Clients.” (Mary Jacoby, “Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08 )

• “A Campaign Spokesman Confirmed That He [Shapiro] Remains An Unpaid Adviser On Middle East Issues.” (Mary Jacoby, “Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08 )

OTHER ADVISERS OF NOTE

The Obama Campaign’s “K Street Players” Include Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD), Broderick Johnson, Mark Keam, Jimmy Williams, Thomas Walls And Francis Grab:

Obama’s Campaign Advisers, Who Are Considered “K Street Players,” Include Former Sen. Daschle, Broderick Johnson, Mark Keam, Jimmy Williams, Thomas Walls And Francis Grab. “Other K Street players working to build momentum for Obama are former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), a consultant for Alston & Bird; Broderick Johnson, president of Bryan Cave Strategies LLC; Mark Keam, the lead Democratic lobbyist at Verizon; Jimmy Williams, vice president of government affairs for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America; Thomas Walls, vice president of federal public affairs at McGuireWoods Consulting; and Francis Grab, senior manager at Washington Council Ernst & Young.” (Alexander Bolton, “Obama’s K Street Project,” The Hill, 3/29/07 )

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