Obama hires Lobbyist

[rinsd]

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
When veteran field organizer Moses Mercado joined Obama’s campaign, but his hire is “making waves,” the Washington Post reports, because of his “other line of work -- as a lobbyist with Ogilvy Government Relations who is registered to represent several dozen big-name clients, including the National Rifle Association, the Carlyle Group, the Blackstone Group, Monsanto, Pfizer Inc., United Health Group, Sempra Energy and Constellation Energy.”

More: “His resume seems to contradict one of Obama's central themes on the campaign trail -- that as an outsider he can fend of the powerful business interests that he has argued have contributed to the income gap between rich and poor and has frustrated attempts to address issues such as high prescription drug costs and global warming.”

The campaign’s response: “They have not settled on exactly what role Mercado will play, but he will not take on any job until he has ceased his lobbying work. Obama aides said yesterday no one can work on the campaign and still be registered on behalf of clients as a lobbyist, and Mercado will not be exempted from that requirement.”

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/28/385600.aspx

Mercado worked on Gephardt primary campaign in AZ & NM and also helped Kerry organize in AZ & NM during the general.

[EFerrari]

1. No flies on Obama. n/t

[wyldwolf]

2. National Rifle Association and the Carlyle Group

Ya know, if I thought like a "progressive," I could twist this into an alliance with PNAC.

The campaign’s response: “They have not settled on exactly what role Mercado will play, but he will not take on any job until he has ceased his lobbying work.

Does this mean they're going to pay him to do nothing?

[Kagemusha]

3. It means they won't pay him to do anything until he quits lobbying.

And then he's not a lobbyist anymore.

Why is this hard.

[Tellurian]

6. Wait...They'll use the excuse Obama's a distant blood relative of Bush

and therefore considered "family"!

[Capn Sunshine]

4. I know this guy

He's pretty slick, I'll grant you that. But frankly, he's the guy that fills the bill for field work among the availables.

It's the army you have. Not the one you want.
So he says he'll quit lobbying.

I hope we can afford him.

[rinsd]

5. I added the bottom part because the article wanted to concentrate on the meme of flip/flop

Kind of like Obama supporters flogging the media created meme of Hillary's flip flop but more honest.

[Tellurian]

9. Give this a kick...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=58386&mesg_id=58386

[frazzled]

7. Who is Moses Mercado?

From the Ogilvy web site:

Prior to joining Ogilvy Government Relations, Moses Mercado served as the Deputy Executive Director, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Governor Howard Dean at the Democratic National Committee. He was responsible for all outreach and communications to the U.S. House and Senate, Governors, Mayor's and local elected officials. He also advised the Governor on Congressional Leadership and elected officials policies and activities. He has been appointed by the National Democratic Chairman Governor Howard Dean as a DNC-At-Large member serving on the Resolutions Committee.
Mr. Mercado served as Deputy Chief of Staff to U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Leader Richard A. Gephardt for six years. As second in command to the House's top-ranking Democrat, Mr. Mercado's diverse responsibilities included assisting in the day-to-day management of Leader's Office operations. He wore both political and policy hats, coordinating decisions, and acting as liaison to the Democrat Caucus (e.g., working to design and implement short- and long-term legislative policy positions), in addition to effectively communicating Democrat leadership views to interested parties off of Capitol Hill. Mr. Mercado was the chief advisor to the Democratic Leader with respect to legislative issues affecting the Latino community.
Before joining the Democratic Leader's office, Mr. Mercado served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Gene Green (D-TX). In that capacity, Mercado was responsible for the management and administration of office operations in the Congressman's Capitol Hill office. He coordinated the Member's legislative agenda, as well as all political and policy decisions.
Before coming to Washington, Mr. Mercado had been an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, assigned to the Eminent Domain Division.
Mr. Mercado received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Texas in 1986, and a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from the South Texas College of Law. He has been admitted to Texas bar.
A native of south Texas, Mercado currently resides on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

[jefferson_dem]

11. Looks like a fine pick-up for Obama.

Well done!

[jillan]

8. Desperate times = desperate measures - time to call in Moses.

[jillan]

10. As a ardent Kerry supporter that lives in Az - I can tell you that Kerry had NO representation

here before the election. The silence was deafening.
And if it wasn't for AAR - Kerry may not have gotten the numbers he did.

just a little fyi