Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) -- the man best known for saying that the Republican health care plan is for Americans who get to "die quickly," and for calling former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire with blood dripping from his teeth -- may have gone a bit too far in one of his latest rhetorical excesses, calling lobbyist Linda Robertson, who used to advise Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a "K Street wh[I]ore."
The comments were made a month ago, when Grayson appeared on the radio show of right-wing talker Alex Jones, and was just discovered and circulated by the NRCC. "Here I am, the only Member of Congress who actually worked as an economist. And she's, this lobbyist, this K Street *****, is trying to teach me about economics," said Grayson.
Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski stood by the Congressman's comments, telling the Orlando Sentinel in an e-mail: "She attacked the Congressman and his efforts to promote a Republican bill to audit the Federal Reserve. She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy. This is [a] person who used to be the chief lobbyist for Enron attacking the intelligence and motives of a Congressman who used to be an economist."
The Politico reports that some of Grayson's House Democratic colleagues are creating some distance from him in light of this. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) called the comment "inappropriate and unfair" to Robertson. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) was more blunt: "Is this news to you that this guy's one fry short of a Happy Meal?"
NRCC spokesman Andy Seré released this statement: "Alan Grayson is a vile and vulgar man whose behavior brings shame to Central Florida on a near-daily basis. His continued insistence on belittling an accomplished woman with such an insulting remark is final confirmation - as if it was needed - that he has no business near the United States Congress or any other position of public trust." [/I]
Is he an azz for saying that? Sure. But why should there be outrage from women? Should there also be outrage from all lobbyists? Actual *****s? Calling one woman a ***** is not an attack on all women.
The Dems ave no intrinsic standards of behavior. So they must see how the wind blows , and it has got to blow strong, before they get on their fictional moral high horse. Hyprocacy, thy name is Democrat.
And the republicans who attacked Pres Clinton who later were revealed to have cheated on their wives too? Christians who made mistakes? But not hypocrits? Hypocrisy, thy name is HUMANITY. Not Democrat.
Sounds like a pretty accurate label to me, considering that she was one of the Enron lobbyists responsible for actually writing the Commodity Futures Modernization Act (CFMA) of 2000, that legislative wonder that gave us not only the Enron fiasco, but put Credit-Default Swaps (essentially bond insurance) beyond the reach of regulators. Since it was an unregulated market, there were no assets actually backing the insurance written by AIG, among others, for other entities like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.
Who is it that you reserve the use of strong language for, or are sexual sins the only ones worthy of note?
P.S.
quote:
"I offer my sincere apology to Linda Robertson, an adviser to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke," Grayson said in a statement emailed to reporters. "I did not intend to use a term that is often, and correctly, seen as disrespectful of women."
xxxhttp://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/27/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5427087.shtmlxxx He did manage to apologize, mostly because he was getting the very sort of heat you mentioned by those in his own party and out.
Sounds like a pretty accurate label to me, considering that she was one of the Enron lobbyists responsible for actually writing the Commodity Futures Modernization Act (CFMA) of 2000, that legislative wonder that gave us not only the Enron fiasco, but put Credit-Default Swaps (essentially bond insurance) beyond the reach of regulators. Since it was an unregulated market, there were no assets actually backing the insurance written by AIG, among others, for other entities like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.
Who is it that you reserve the use of strong language for, or are sexual sins the only ones worthy of note?
I’ll have to agree that Grayson went too far in singling out this lady for his comment, she being only one of the many (men and women) who work to influence legislation in any way they can. He should have covered his ass by saying all of the k-street wh***s, which would have been a more relevant statement. JMHO of course.
The Repubs have their nutcases (Michelle Bachmann); why should they be the only one to suffer the embarrassment?
I saw this cartoon on DKoss, I got a laugh out of it, hope others will too.
Originally posted by jdksfcret: I’ll have to agree that Grayson went too far in singling out this lady for his comment, she being only one of the many (men and women) who work to influence legislation in any way they can. He should have covered his ass by saying all of the k-street wh***s, which would have been a more relevant statement. JMHO of course.
The Repubs have their nutcases (Michelle Bachmann); why should they be the only one to suffer the embarrassment?
I saw this cartoon on DKoss, I got a laugh out of it, hope others will too.
Then you must include the K-Street *hores that President Obama hired into his administration after promising not to.
Face it. Lobbyist are on both sides, not just republican, they are all in it for the money.
Todays politics remind me of an old saying. - "Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?" - Joseph Stalin
Then you must include the K-Street *hores that President Obama hired into his administration after promising not to.
Face it. Lobbyist are on both sides, not just republican, they are all in it for the money.
About the only one I am aware of is the Deputy Secretary of Defense, William Lynn, that SecDef Gates insisted on having on board. If you are aware of any others, please enlighten us, but there really doesn't seem to me to be the same revolving door between K Street and the federal government under this administration.
Well since I said ALL, it must include those that work the Democrats side of the street as well. There are some things we can agree on after all. It's just seems funny that the k-street walkers have such an easy time turning tricks. It’s must pay damn well since there are so damn many of them.
Firm 1st Half Fees 2009 Vs. 2008 Percent Change From 2008 1. Patton Boggs $18.4 million vs $20.5 million -10.2% 2. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld $16.0 million vs $17.8 million -10.1% 3. Van Scoyoc Associates $13.1 million vs $13.2 million -.01% 4. Podesta Group $11.8 million vs $7.24 million +63% 5. Holland & Knight $10.3 million vs $7.36 million +40% 6. Cassidy & Associates $9.99 million vs $11.7 million -15% 7. Dutko Worldwide $9.97 million vs $10.3 million -3% 8. K & L Gates $9.45 milion vs $7.94 million +19% 9. Brownstein Hyatt & Farber $9.22 million vs $6.91 million +33% 10. Hogan & Hartson $8.92 million vs $10.3 million -13.3% 11. Ogilvy Government Relations $8.81 million vs $9.0 million -2% 12. Williams & Jensen $8.26 million vs $8.23 million flat 13. BGR Holding $8.13 million vs $9.76 million -17% 14. Quinn Gillespie & Associates 6.73 million 7.34 million -8% 15. Washington Council Ernst & Young 6.55 million vs 5.61 million +17% 16. Cornerstone Government Affairs 6.07 million vs 5.62 million +8% 17. Ferguson Group 5.86 million vs 5.55 million +6% 18. DLA Piper 5.52 million vs 6.68 million -17% 19. Capitol Tax Partners 5.48 million vs 5.57 million -2% 20. Carmen Group 5.43 million vs 5.47 million -1% 21. Venable 5.42 million vs 4.44 million +22% 22. Alcalde & Fay 5.38 million vs 5.39 million flat 23. McBee Strategic Consulting 5.34 million vs 4.69 million +14% 24. The Breaux Lott Leadership Group 5.12 million vs. 3.35 million +53% 25. Covington & Burling 5.10 million vs. 5.42 million -6%
Then you must include the K-Street *hores that President Obama hired into his administration after promising not to.
Face it. Lobbyist are on both sides, not just republican, they are all in it for the money.
About the only one I am aware of is the Deputy Secretary of Defense, William Lynn, that SecDef Gates insisted on having on board. If you are aware of any others, please enlighten us, but there really doesn't seem to me to be the same revolving door between K Street and the federal government under this administration.
He hired 18 "former" lobbyist, excuse me if I made it sound as though they were still lobbyist.
Todays politics remind me of an old saying. - "Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?" - Joseph Stalin
Originally posted by oldmole: Doesn't pay as well as it used to:
quote:
Firm 1st Half Fees 2009 Vs. 2008 Percent Change From 2008 1. Patton Boggs $18.4 million vs $20.5 million -10.2% 2. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld $16.0 million vs $17.8 million -10.1% 3. Van Scoyoc Associates $13.1 million vs $13.2 million -.01% 4. Podesta Group $11.8 million vs $7.24 million +63% 5. Holland & Knight $10.3 million vs $7.36 million +40% 6. Cassidy & Associates $9.99 million vs $11.7 million -15% 7. Dutko Worldwide $9.97 million vs $10.3 million -3% 8. K & L Gates $9.45 milion vs $7.94 million +19% 9. Brownstein Hyatt & Farber $9.22 million vs $6.91 million +33% 10. Hogan & Hartson $8.92 million vs $10.3 million -13.3% 11. Ogilvy Government Relations $8.81 million vs $9.0 million -2% 12. Williams & Jensen $8.26 million vs $8.23 million flat 13. BGR Holding $8.13 million vs $9.76 million -17% 14. Quinn Gillespie & Associates 6.73 million 7.34 million -8% 15. Washington Council Ernst & Young 6.55 million vs 5.61 million +17% 16. Cornerstone Government Affairs 6.07 million vs 5.62 million +8% 17. Ferguson Group 5.86 million vs 5.55 million +6% 18. DLA Piper 5.52 million vs 6.68 million -17% 19. Capitol Tax Partners 5.48 million vs 5.57 million -2% 20. Carmen Group 5.43 million vs 5.47 million -1% 21. Venable 5.42 million vs 4.44 million +22% 22. Alcalde & Fay 5.38 million vs 5.39 million flat 23. McBee Strategic Consulting 5.34 million vs 4.69 million +14% 24. The Breaux Lott Leadership Group 5.12 million vs. 3.35 million +53% 25. Covington & Burling 5.10 million vs. 5.42 million -6%
It would seem times are tough all over. I'm sure their business like any others has good cycles and bad cycles. Apparently it follows some political cycle as well; if the chart I posted means anything.
Then you must include the K-Street *hores that President Obama hired into his administration after promising not to.
Face it. Lobbyist are on both sides, not just republican, they are all in it for the money.
About the only one I am aware of is the Deputy Secretary of Defense, William Lynn, that SecDef Gates insisted on having on board. If you are aware of any others, please enlighten us, but there really doesn't seem to me to be the same revolving door between K Street and the federal government under this administration.
This is the last list I bookmarked ... may be something more recent. How many of these made it through final vetting/confirmation I don't know. I know several did.
quote:
Here are former lobbyists Obama has tapped for top jobs:
•Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm [now confirmed]. •Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year on behalf of the National Education Association. •William Lynn, deputy defense secretary nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for defense contractor Raytheon, where he was a top executive. •William Corr, deputy health and human services secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until last year for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a non-profit that pushes to limit tobacco use. •David Hayes, deputy interior secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until 2006 for clients, including the regional utility San Diego Gas & Electric. •Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for financial giant Goldman Sachs. •Ron Klain, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, was registered to lobby until 2005 for clients, including the Coalition for Asbestos Resolution, U.S. Airways, Airborne Express and drug-maker ImClone. •Mona Sutphen, deputy White House chief of staff, was registered to lobby for clients, including Angliss International in 2003. •Melody Barnes, domestic policy council director, lobbied in 2003 and 2004 for liberal advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Constitution Society and the Center for Reproductive Rights. •Cecilia Munoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, was a lobbyist as recently as last year for the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group. •Patrick Gaspard, White House political affairs director, was a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union. •Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff to the president’s assistant for intergovernmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005
Then you must include the K-Street *hores that President Obama hired into his administration after promising not to.
Face it. Lobbyist are on both sides, not just republican, they are all in it for the money.
About the only one I am aware of is the Deputy Secretary of Defense, William Lynn, that SecDef Gates insisted on having on board. If you are aware of any others, please enlighten us, but there really doesn't seem to me to be the same revolving door between K Street and the federal government under this administration.
This is the last list I bookmarked ... may be something more recent. How many of these made it through final vetting/confirmation I don't know. I know several did.
quote:
Here are former lobbyists Obama has tapped for top jobs:
•Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm [now confirmed]. •Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year on behalf of the National Education Association. •William Lynn, deputy defense secretary nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for defense contractor Raytheon, where he was a top executive. •William Corr, deputy health and human services secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until last year for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a non-profit that pushes to limit tobacco use. •David Hayes, deputy interior secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until 2006 for clients, including the regional utility San Diego Gas & Electric. •Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for financial giant Goldman Sachs. •Ron Klain, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, was registered to lobby until 2005 for clients, including the Coalition for Asbestos Resolution, U.S. Airways, Airborne Express and drug-maker ImClone. •Mona Sutphen, deputy White House chief of staff, was registered to lobby for clients, including Angliss International in 2003. •Melody Barnes, domestic policy council director, lobbied in 2003 and 2004 for liberal advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Constitution Society and the Center for Reproductive Rights. •Cecilia Munoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, was a lobbyist as recently as last year for the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group. •Patrick Gaspard, White House political affairs director, was a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union. •Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff to the president’s assistant for intergovernmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005
However, the move from the government conference room to the lobbyist bedroom must have reached an alltime high a couple of years after the passage of Medicare Part D. Most of who are still working against Insurance Reform now, I'm sure. Of course I could be wrong about that, but what are the odds?
quote:
Six years ago, a group of lawmakers and aides crafted Medicare Part D, the prescription drug program for seniors that has produced billions of dollars of profits for pharmaceutical companies.
Today, at least 25 of those key players are back, but this time they’re lobbyists, trying to persuade their former colleagues to protect the lucrative system during the health care reform negotiations.
The role of big players like Billy Tauzin — the former Republican representative from Louisiana who is now president of PhRMA, the drug industry’s lobbying group — has been long understood. But a ProPublica analysis shows that the drug industry’s position is also being promoted by other foot soldiers from the Part D legislative process, from committee aides to top Bush administration officials.
The most prominent members of this group include:
Tauzin, former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who was instrumental in ensuring Part D’s passage. As PhRMA’s president he reportedly earns [11] more than 10 times what he was paid as a member of Congress Former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., who fought against allowing drug prices to be negotiated in Medicare Part D. A year after the bill passed, he left the Senate to begin his lobbying career. He now has his own lobbying firm, Breaux Lott Leadership Group, which this year has received $300,000 to lobby for the pharmaceutical industry. Former Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla., who helped negotiate the final version of Part D, then left to form his own lobbying firm. Bristol Myers-Squibb paid the Nickles Group $120,000 this year to lobby for, among other things, “health care reform issues related to Medicaid and Medicare.” Thomas Scully, the former Medicare chief who helped design Part D. Scully obtained a waiver [12] allowing him to discuss job offers before he left his government post. Less than two weeks after the bill passed, he went to work for the lobbying firm Alston & Bird, where he works on behalf of drug companies. Less familiar names also made the leap to lobbying for the pharmaceutical industry.
Raissa Downs was once a top legislative aide in the Department of Health and Human Services, where she helped spearhead the agency’s efforts to shape Part D. Now she’s a partner at Tarplin, Downs & Young consulting firm, where she is lobbying against changes to Part D. Michelle Easton has gone through the revolving door several times, working for Breaux, then the industry, then for Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who is a key player in the current reform debate. Now Easton works in Downs’ firm. John McManus, who was staff director of the House Ways and Means health subcommittee when Part D was created, now has his own lobbying firm. Between 2004 and June 2009 the McManus Group earned about $6 million lobbying for PhRMA and various drug companies.
Then you must include the K-Street *hores that President Obama hired into his administration after promising not to.
Face it. Lobbyist are on both sides, not just republican, they are all in it for the money.
About the only one I am aware of is the Deputy Secretary of Defense, William Lynn, that SecDef Gates insisted on having on board. If you are aware of any others, please enlighten us, but there really doesn't seem to me to be the same revolving door between K Street and the federal government under this administration.
This is the last list I bookmarked ... may be something more recent. How many of these made it through final vetting/confirmation I don't know. I know several did.
quote:
Here are former lobbyists Obama has tapped for top jobs:
•Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm [now confirmed]. •Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year on behalf of the National Education Association. •William Lynn, deputy defense secretary nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for defense contractor Raytheon, where he was a top executive. •William Corr, deputy health and human services secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until last year for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a non-profit that pushes to limit tobacco use. •David Hayes, deputy interior secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until 2006 for clients, including the regional utility San Diego Gas & Electric. •Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for financial giant Goldman Sachs. •Ron Klain, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, was registered to lobby until 2005 for clients, including the Coalition for Asbestos Resolution, U.S. Airways, Airborne Express and drug-maker ImClone. •Mona Sutphen, deputy White House chief of staff, was registered to lobby for clients, including Angliss International in 2003. •Melody Barnes, domestic policy council director, lobbied in 2003 and 2004 for liberal advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Constitution Society and the Center for Reproductive Rights. •Cecilia Munoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, was a lobbyist as recently as last year for the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group. •Patrick Gaspard, White House political affairs director, was a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union. •Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff to the president’s assistant for intergovernmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005
However, the move from the government conference room to the lobbyist bedroom must have reached an alltime high a couple of years after the passage of Medicare Part D. Most of who are still working against Insurance Reform now, I'm sure. Of course I could be wrong about that, but what are the odds?
quote:
Six years ago, a group of lawmakers and aides crafted Medicare Part D, the prescription drug program for seniors that has produced billions of dollars of profits for pharmaceutical companies.
Today, at least 25 of those key players are back, but this time they’re lobbyists, trying to persuade their former colleagues to protect the lucrative system during the health care reform negotiations.
The role of big players like Billy Tauzin — the former Republican representative from Louisiana who is now president of PhRMA, the drug industry’s lobbying group — has been long understood. But a ProPublica analysis shows that the drug industry’s position is also being promoted by other foot soldiers from the Part D legislative process, from committee aides to top Bush administration officials.
The most prominent members of this group include:
Tauzin, former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who was instrumental in ensuring Part D’s passage. As PhRMA’s president he reportedly earns [11] more than 10 times what he was paid as a member of Congress Former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., who fought against allowing drug prices to be negotiated in Medicare Part D. A year after the bill passed, he left the Senate to begin his lobbying career. He now has his own lobbying firm, Breaux Lott Leadership Group, which this year has received $300,000 to lobby for the pharmaceutical industry. Former Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla., who helped negotiate the final version of Part D, then left to form his own lobbying firm. Bristol Myers-Squibb paid the Nickles Group $120,000 this year to lobby for, among other things, “health care reform issues related to Medicaid and Medicare.” Thomas Scully, the former Medicare chief who helped design Part D. Scully obtained a waiver [12] allowing him to discuss job offers before he left his government post. Less than two weeks after the bill passed, he went to work for the lobbying firm Alston & Bird, where he works on behalf of drug companies. Less familiar names also made the leap to lobbying for the pharmaceutical industry.
Raissa Downs was once a top legislative aide in the Department of Health and Human Services, where she helped spearhead the agency’s efforts to shape Part D. Now she’s a partner at Tarplin, Downs & Young consulting firm, where she is lobbying against changes to Part D. Michelle Easton has gone through the revolving door several times, working for Breaux, then the industry, then for Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who is a key player in the current reform debate. Now Easton works in Downs’ firm. John McManus, who was staff director of the House Ways and Means health subcommittee when Part D was created, now has his own lobbying firm. Between 2004 and June 2009 the McManus Group earned about $6 million lobbying for PhRMA and various drug companies.
President Obama talked smack about not allowing lobbyist in his administration, Bush didn't.
You do not see the hypocrisy here?
Todays politics remind me of an old saying. - "Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?" - Joseph Stalin
