The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Joe - STL — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:44:39 GMT

While I wish lobbyists were not used at all in any government capacity, the (sad) fact is that if an all out ban on current/former lobbyists was put in place, there would be virtually no one left to work in DC.

Many talented people can be rightly called a lobbyist, and their skills are needed to help run the country…with the right rules though, they can be kept in line.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

the Pajama Pundit — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:46:57 GMT

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed in yesterday's news that the Obama administration would employ lobbyists. Even though there are going to be strict regulations -- I just don't like it.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Nashville_fan — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:48:32 GMT

Look folks, we have a struggling economy, we don't need to add 40,000 unemployed lobbyists to the mix . . . President-Elect Obama did the right thing!

:)

P.S. Governing is about compromise - we all know this. So let's not spend the next few months feigning surprise and outrage about everything - I have confidence that President Elect Obama is going to put the PEOPLE first, and that will be a welcome CHANGE!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Houston — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:51:07 GMT

"President-elect Barack Obama, who vowed during his campaign that lobbyists 'won't find a job in my White House,' said through a spokesman yesterday that he would allow lobbyists on his transition team as long as they work on issues unrelated to their earlier jobs. ..."
--------------------------------------------

Apparently, "journalists" are too ignorant to know that members of a transition team do not work IN the White House, which is what Obama explicitly said he was talking about.

I'm sure there will be plenty of stuff that Obama will be fairly criticized for after he become president. But do you have to nit-pick him to death two months before he even starts the job?

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Eric, Salinas, CA — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:55:44 GMT

We really ought to put that despicable K Street crowd out on the streets with pink slips. Atleast the lobbyists won't be running the show the way they've been the past 8 years or under the loser's reign. I'm glad that Obama is putting some obstacles in their way so they do not proliferate his administration and then serve their limited clientele instead of the people.

Yes We Did!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

KK Timms, WI — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:09:52 GMT

Like all other Democrats, Obama started out with good intentions, but immediately fell into the trappings of power. Lobbyists will run his administration. They're already there - or what did you think all of the Clinton administration did for the last eight years? Well, except for the ones that joined the media. They all became rich as lobbyists! Now they're back, and will run Obama.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Resistance Party — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:11:35 GMT

Obama will have lobbist in his cabinet,as advisors, and up his ass in no time at all. He is just throwing abone right now. Just like his promise.... no one who makes under 250k a year will have to pay taxes !

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Dirty Jobs — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:16:04 GMT

Not even in office yet, and Obama is already breaking his promises. Is anyone surprised? Among other things he bailed on the public financing promise, so why not bail on lobbyists? Obama will do what's good for Obama. And you all thought he was working for you. Laughable.

Now all you libs can run around and make excuses for your guy while he continues with all his lies.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

DON'T BLAME ME, I'M A DEM. WHO VOTED FOR McCAIN — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:21:25 GMT

Six months into this BUFFOON'S term, you're gonna' wish "W" was back in office.
You asked for it, you got it America.
Now live with it for the next four years.
That's the hard part!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:22:19 GMT

Plain and simple. Lobbiest are criminals there to bribe government officials. Yes there is an argument as to who is worse, the briber or the bribee. The answer is they both are equally as guilty. They are selling and buyint something that is not theirs. It belongs to you and me.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:23:33 GMT

Me-thinks there will be a lot of "loopholes" in the things Obama said on the campaign trail.
This is just one of them.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

So it begins — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:24:00 GMT

Typical politician
The first of many back tracks to come.
AHHHH got to love it

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Positively FM <><><> ...... <><><> ...... — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:25:27 GMT

Loophole is a funny word. Say it out loud. Loop. Hole. Saying that out loud is almost as funny as staring at shiny things.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:27:03 GMT

Obama understands that in politics things change quickly, and flexibility is key. That is what makes Obama so Presidential. He will pick people who know how to get the job done in Washington quickly. This is not a "beauty contest" America! No one tell "Puppet Palin" this, because she is very intellectually confused already. Obama knows that it is key to move our nation forward economically, and get our military out of Iraq quickly! That is fact!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Buyers Remorse — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:30:33 GMT

What a fraud!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Peter Percival's Pet Pig Named Porky — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:30:47 GMT

The New York Obama Times and the Boston Obama Herald will never get it right. Too far left, they have lost half of their revenue, as did the Los Angeles Obama Times.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:30:50 GMT

[I]ndependent analysts said yesterday that the move is less than the wholesale removal of lobbyists that he suggested during the campaign -- and shows how difficult it will be to lessen the pervasive influence of more than 40,000 registered lobbyists.
==========
Unfortunately, lobbyist are the necessary evil of politics, especially at the presidential level. Still, that he's doing as much as he is is more than most presidents have tried (even Clinton).

69 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:31:51 GMT

It comes down to a balanced versus an extreme and pure approach.

Everything we've seen from Obama over the past 20 months suggests he'll gravitate toward balance over purity.

A useful (though politically charged, potentially) analogy might be U.S. military occupation of Germany after World War II. Patton, who disliked Nazis as much as anyone, kept the civil servants in place who could "keep the trains running." Many of these civil servants had joined the Nazi party at some point.

Patton took some heat over this, but opted to keep the trains running.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Jack Danials — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:31:54 GMT

Don't fret Obama boot lickers. This is just the first of many times that Obama will disappoint you. Best to just get used to it.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

John B, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:37:39 GMT

Why call it a "lobbyist loophole" when in reality Obama's rules are tigher than any previous administration? Certainly it's an improvement over the last 8 years during which lobbyists have been invited to write legislation!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Fair Game — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:44:51 GMT

Buyers Remorse (10:30 AM)- Man, I wish I had said that. Great line and great sign off.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

ATCS USN Ret — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:49:23 GMT

Obama promised no lobbyists in his White House, barely a week after the election he has ignored that promise, and those who supported him are already making excuses for him. Typical.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Chicago-style "Pay to Play" for lobbyists — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:49:26 GMT

It will be Chicago-style "Pay to Play" for lobbyists in Obama's administration!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Diane from Illinois — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:51:05 GMT

What the hell is wrong with Utah? They're the only state that still APPROVES of Bush? We need to get them some fresh air or something so they can think better.
And for all you haters out there. Give Obama a chance. Yes, he said lobbyists won't RUN his White House and they won't. He's putting up obstacles right now. How come you haven't complained over the last 8 years with the Bush Administration? Why did you tolerate lobbyists RUNNING John McCain's presidential campaign?? You (Republicans) are a bunch of whiny hypocrits. Sit on your "principles" for the next 4 years and think about what the Bush Administration created that NOW Obama needs to try and fix before he can begin his own agenda. Your guy was a big loser; check the approval ratings....oh and yeah, check who won the recent election. Democrats rock from the top of the ballot to the bottom. Crawl back into your hole and try and figure out how you can re-invent your 1950's dog food you keep trying to sell. I'm willing to give the new guy a chance.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

lynn martinez — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:58:26 GMT

I wonder how many lobbyist from GM, are in Pelosi and Redds pockets..I can't beleive most of the U.S.
fell for Obama's lies. People need to research the rise of the Hitler and his politics.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

teopa — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:00:58 GMT

"Six months into this BUFFOON'S term, you're gonna' wish "W" was back in office.
You asked for it, you got it America. "

DON'T BLAME ME

In even my WILDEST imagination, (and i've got a pretty good one) can i even begin to invision a scenario where this would happen!!!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Laura Boston MA — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:13:20 GMT

It just looks like a broken campaign promise. If President-elect Obama goes back on his word already in what may be considered a small thing, what will stop him for breaking bigger promises (i.e. bring home the troops within 16 month or closing down Gitmo)in the future?

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

The - Democrat Soldier — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:16:51 GMT

FR - As you all well know, presidential candidates make promises doing their campaign. Most of them do it only to win over votes.

The current President made plenty of promises and kept few and told more lies to the American people than any promised he kept.

So, my question to you media folks is this; It is apparent that President elect Obama is heading in a direction that is consistence already with a lot of promises and suggestion he has made doing the campaign, and let us not forget - he hasn't even been sworn in.

So, do you media folks intend to scrutinize and comb over everything President elect Obama said doing his campaign? - To the letter?

Give U.S. a break - you guys are trying to discredit him before you even give him a chance.

I tell you - Barack Obama has millions of supporters - 10's of million. You media folks better be careful with the non - sense because we are not stupid and we will not tolerate the continued bashing and mistreatment of our President.

Your ratings and government support or assistance could be hindered or disrupted.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Get A Grip — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:17:35 GMT

And the Repus wonder why they lost? LOL Just reading this blog is all the answer you need.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

kendall beckett — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:19:54 GMT

Obama is going to be like the rest of the president's say one thing and do another this is just the begining I'm sure their will be other things to.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

See you in 4 years — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:36:59 GMT

I have made the decision to stop reading these blogs as of today. All this nitpicking by disgruntled Reps is sooooo Republican. Never acknowledge a a screw up and never take responsibilty for your errors.
The buck stops with the "ruling" party. Stop trying to pin the problems on Dems. We are in a pit because of GWB and our own borrow and spend mentality. It is way harder to climb out of the hole than to dig the hole, especially when we insist on dragging the guy on top down. We better start boosting him up. True "Patriots" would be praying for his (Obama) success not his failure.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Nate, Aurora, OH — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:39:16 GMT

Wow. Obama has not even made a mistake, and look at the replumblicans reaction on something as petty as this. GET OVER IT! YOU LOST! MOVE TO ALASKA WITH YOUR GOD-APPOINTED QUEEN PALIN!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

2021, Houston, Texas — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:42:02 GMT

Obama will do as he said and will outlaw lobbyists............and the Right will try to attack him even before he becomes President.........

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Teach - Denver — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:42:37 GMT

Does anyone realize that the lobbyists have made the 3 suburbs of DC the wealthiest in the US? The mansions they live in and the money they spend there support much of the town. I am very surprised that the Republicans, who shower the rich with tax breaks and praise (hard working, self made people) would want to give them all pink slips. These are the original Joe The Plumbers - working hard to make money and provide others with jobs. It isn't their fault that they are so successful, why should they be punished? Take away a profession that they are so good at? This doesn't sound very conservative. Aren't people allowed to make as much money as possible in this country in whatever way they can? And the big businesses they represent - what would we do without them? They give all of us everything we need, jobs, the whole trickle down thing. It is a mystery why Repulicans (the ones who built and designed this government of greed) would want to totally dimantle it now! OH, WAIT! I know, because they aren't in power now! That is why! They won't reap the benifits! Ok, now I've got it.

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

The truth Hurts — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:49:07 GMT

LMAO GE down to $17.00 a share, the boycott of GE products is working..NYT down to $8.00 a share. revenues down 86% LMAO BYE BYE left wingers
Another Demencrat congressmen from VA says : the middle class is the most productive in the world..LMAO then says the problem is "they don't share the wealth around LMAO this is too good

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Ihaveabrainandyoudon't! — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:05:12 GMT

Cry babies! You would rather have Dick Bush tellin you with his own mouth "SO" to the notion the American people are hurting out there. I know some of U are wishing that he fails but I don't think Obama Knows how to fail. All U Obama supporters hear my words; He will set out to do exactly what he said he would do. Sounds like some people still don't have a problem with eating their words.

YUM!

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Ihaveabrainandyoudon't! — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:08:35 GMT

Were you this tough on Bush, Chenney, Haliburton, Blackwater, Rumsfield, Condi Rice?

The transition: A lobbyist loophole?

Ihaveabrainandyoudon't! — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:09:47 GMT

WE WON TRICKS!

BOOYAH!