Democrats' Victory Is Felt On K Street

[cal04]

The Democrats' takeover of Congress this month has turned official Washington upside down.

Labor and environmental representatives, once also-rans in congressional influence, are meeting frequently with incoming Democratic leaders. Corporations that once boasted about their Republican ties are busily hiring Democratic lobbyists. And industries worried about reprisals from the new Democrats-in-charge, especially the pharmaceutical industry, are sending out woe-is-me memos and hoping their GOP connections will protect them in the crunch.

"Change is in the air," said Melinda Pierce, a senior lobbyist for the Sierra Club. She had never even been invited to meet with Republican House leaders, but since Election Day incoming Democrats have welcomed her advice.

Dan Danner sees change in the opposite direction. The top lobbyist for the National Federation of Independent Business has attended meetings with Republican leaders at least twice a month for the past 12 years. But he has yet to see any of the new Democratic crowd and doesn't expect to anytime soon. "That's a significant difference," he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/22/AR2006112201940.html

[muntrv]

1. Hey Republican lobbyists! Wal-Mart is always hiring!

[Starlight]

2. "they are planning an elaborate assault on lobbyists during their first week in session"

That's great news imo. :) More from that article:

"Despite this focus on gaining access to authority, Democratic congressional leaders have expressed disdain for their predecessors' fealty to "special interests." That is why they are planning an elaborate assault on lobbyists during their first week in session. Through changes in laws and in House rules, Democrats hope to ban lobbyist-provided gifts and travel to lawmakers and to create an Office of Public Integrity to oversee the disclosures that lobbyists must make about clients and fees."

[yurbud]

3. dang, I was hoping this was going to be about mass suicides of corporate lobbyists. But they don't

have to worry...they'll always have the DLC.

[greeneyedboy]

4. dupe thread - also see this one, which has a few recs.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x247623