MyDD :: [UPDATE] Someone: Clue in Obama! His Campaign Chair is a Lobbyist.

[UPDATE] Someone: Clue in Obama! His Campaign Chair is a Lobbyist.

by susanhu, Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 03:58:45 PM EST

Update [2008-1-6 17:16:21 by susanhu]:

"Obama campaign repeatedly declines Sunday to explain Obama's debate denial." - The Page

ORIGINAL: And I thought he was the candidate for change? Mr. "No More Special Interests"? We already have a President who is completely clueless. Why does Senator Obama want to emulate W? Poor Obama is completely out of the loop and doesn't realize that his New Hampshire campaign chairman is a lobbyist. A big-time lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry at that.

WATCH THIS VIDEO OF OBAMA SHAKING HIS HEAD AND WHISPERING A DENIAL.

BELOW, the rest of the story:

Here is the PROOF that Barack Obama's co-chair is a registered pharmaceutical lobbyist.

More at The Page.

From the New York Times's copy of the debate transcript, here is what Sen. Clinton said to Barack Obama that -- as that YouTube video shows you -- he responded to by saying "No" and shaking his head:

SEN. CLINTON: ... You know, when it comes to lobbyists, you know, Senator Obama's chair in New Hampshire is a lobbyist. He lobbies for the drug companies. So I think it's important that all of us be held to the same standards, that we're all held accountable.

You know, the energy bill that passed in 2005 was larded with all kinds of special interest breaks, giveaways to the oil companies. Senator Obama voted for it. I did not because I knew that it was going to be an absolute nightmare. Now we're all out on the campaign trail talking about taking the tax subsidies away from the oil companies, some of which were in that 2005 energy bill.

So you know, words are not actions.

And as beautifully presented and passionately felt as they are, they are not action. You know, what we've got to do is translate talk into action and feeling into reality. I have a long record of doing that, of taking on the very interests that you have just rightly excoriated because of the overdue influence that they have in our government. And you know, probably nobody up here has been the subject of more incoming fire from the Republicans and the special interests, so I think I know exactly what I'm walking into and I am prepared to take them on.

(Of Note: The NYT transcript failed to note Sen. Obama's denial, but the YouTube video proves he denied that his New Hampshire co-chair is a big pharma lobbyist.)

Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, ABC Debate, lobbying, lobbyists, pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer, New Hampshire (all tags)

Permalink :: 52 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Someone: Clue in Obama! (2.00 / 1)

Now I'm listening to the debate from last night, and there Obama is dissing lobbyists.

Of note: Obama never took the opportunity later in the debate to dispute Sen. Clinton. Well, he couldn't.

by susanhu on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:02:59 PM EST

Re: Someone: Clue in Obama! (2.00 / 1)

but will Timmy, Tweety and Joey cover it on MSNBC? I doubt it. Maybe if we e-mail them they'll think about it.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:44:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

can you imagne if she'd done this?! (2.00 / 0)

it would be

ALL WE WOULD HEAR ABOUT

for the next few days, but of course, it will barely be mentioned.

This also tells me that Obama has NOTHING to do with his own campaign, he's just the face, the orator, the actor....this show is being run by the Daley/Axelrod machine 100%.

Hope you keep puushing this here and at kos.

Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!

by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:01:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: can you imagne if she'd done this?! (none / 0)

This is nothing. If there was a obvious problem here, Hillary would have made it VERY PUBLIC at the debates and named names, but she did not, because its nothing. Moreover if you watch the tape Obama specifically denied nothing.

Jim Demers is not a federally registered lobbyist, Obama does not receive money from federally registered lobbyists, in fact Jim Demers has been identified as a state (concord) lobbyist for quite a while now. Something I have personally known. Evidence here:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/politic s/primarysource/2007/01/obama_supporter. html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail /2008/01/03/the_view_from_new_hampshire_ 1.html?hpid=topnews

So this is NO SCOOP, there is no there there, Clinton is grasping at straws!!

Obama could easily come back and make it known that Mark Penn - her chief strategist - is a Lobbyist for BlackWater, so come on, give it a rest.

by rapcetera on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:36:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: can you imagne if she'd done this?! (none / 0)

Good point. Sometimes these things just don't matter to the electorate.
If this is one of those years, these things just won't matter.

by spirowasright on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:33:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

so character and honestly (none / 0)

doesn't matter to the electorate. I don't think that is true. I think they do matter and they will matter during the GE. It is just that the MSM is campaigning for Obama right now.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 08:58:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

OMG, I can't believe this! (2.00 / 2)

So Obama's breaking yet another campaign promise? Someone shoot me! So even though he says he won't "do business" with lobbyists, he lets them run his campaign? Gawd, what's wrong with him? Does he really think the GOP doesn't notice this stuff? Is he deliberately making their oppo research on him easier?

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:04:28 PM EST

Re: OMG, I can't believe this! (none / 0)

If I were to say that the so-called lobbyist resigned his position before coming aboard Obama's campaign, would you believe me?

So why should anyone believe you?

Click on Peace, Propaganda, & The Promised Land and learn the truth about the I/P conflict.

by shergald on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:46:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OMG, I can't believe this! (2.00 / 1)

he thinks that as long as the GOP doesn't bring it up until after he is nominated it doesn't matter. He doesn't care about ethics, authenticity and keeping his word as long as he can get the nomination. He has to know they are going to hit him with this but he thinks he can just ignore it and win anyway. And if he can't win anyway, well what the hell we will have a republican in the White house for four more years. It's all about him so what does he care. He won't personally be hurt by four more years of tax cuts for the wealthy and a broken economy.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:48:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You have fallen off the table (none / 0)

You seem unhinged, Mollie. I'd have a stiff drink if I were you. Your comments are quite extreme.

by dataguy on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:37:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You have fallen off the table (none / 0)

Lots of folks feeling REALLY frustrated right now.

by ReillyDiefenbach on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 10:41:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You have fallen off the table (none / 0)

yeah, thanks Databoy I am sure you will understand if I don't take your advice. And as for me being unhinged, you are projecting. Look it up if you don't know what it is.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 09:01:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

When did Obama promise not the hire state-level (none / 0)

lobbyists?

Never. That's when.

Hillary on the otherhand, loves all lobbyists! And as much money from the War and Pharma industries as she can take!!!

by moreaxe on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:49:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nice ad hominem... (2.00 / 0)

But where's the beef to back up your assertions? Obama said "no lobbyists". But now, he has lobbyists in his campaign. Sorry, but that smacks ofg hypocrisy. Now go ahead and throw as many ad hominem attacks as you'd like, but no one will believe you unless you have facts to back up your claims.

Susan has the facts to back up her claims... So how about you?

No way, no how, no McCain! :-)

by atdleft on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:25:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Someone: Clue in Obama! His Campaign Chair is (2.00 / 1)

I hope Obama won't let his NH campaign chair buy him a meal, even if he is standing up.

While I could sit in church and pray all I want, I wouldn't be fulfilling God's will unless I went out and did the Lord's work ~ Barack Obama

by bowiegeek on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:12:24 PM EST

Edwards, Obama' s Poodle (2.00 / 1)

that's what it looked like to me last night.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:59:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So I guess Hillary didn't vote for that Lobby (none / 0)

Reform Bill???

by moreaxe on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:02:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Impossible not to know (2.00 / 1)

I'm a member of the Chamber of Commerce for two neighboring states.

From what I've heard from New England members, Mr. Demers was a successful business owner in the medical field . A Democrat who supports democratic candidates.

But he apparently has used his years of connections in business & now does lobbying for big business in the medical & Pharmaceutical industry.

Its very big money. A lobbyist can make much more money than most small & medium size business owners. Its all Legal & is the norm in washington.

As far as Ethical? We all have our opinions. I am not going to condemn him. I'll leave it up to you.

But if your running on Getting Rid of Lobbyist, why would you pick this dude as your campaign manager.

If other acquiantances in business are very aware that he is a legitimate professional lobbyist, how can Obama not know???? Impossible !

And if you noticed, Obama NEVER DENIED or Addressed that issue in the debate.

by labanman on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:15:47 PM EST

Re: Impossible not to know (2.00 / 2)

Look at the video again. Obama shakes his head, and says "no way." when confronted by Clinton on the matter. That response can't be spinned. He made it.

by izarradar on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:18:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Impossible not to know (2.00 / 2)

Yes, he just shook his head. But never addressed it in his rebuttal. This was not a small accusation. He could have easily Condemned the accusation as false with one sentence.

He addressed 99% of whatever Hillary threw at him.

But for this one major accusation, just shook is head while talking to himself.

This is a Black & White issue.

All Lobbyist are registered officially.

Either you are or you're not. ( there is no I am but I'm really not )

We'll see if the media will pursue this. ( With how they treat Obama, I doubt it )

by labanman on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:42:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Impossible not to know (2.00 / 0)

Obama did not address 99% of Clinton's charges.

Others that were not answered:

*Obama flip-flop on No Child Left Behind

Obama flip-flop on the Patriot Act

Obama flip-flop on Iraq War funding

*Obama support of the 2005 Cheney Energy Bill.

In fact, Obama really didn't address anything. He continues to speak in idealistic generalities.

He's going to get roasted in the general election with that kind of pie in the sky idealism - especially if the GOP gets it together to nominate McCain.

by steveinohio on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:34:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

He's a NH lobbyist (none / 0)

no lobbying at the Federal level.

The Obama campaign has always made this distinction.

I don't recall Hillary bringing it up in past debates when she got all defensive defending the poor, forsaken "they are people too" lobbyists...

by moreaxe on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:46:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: He's a NH lobbyist (2.00 / 1)

I see, state lobbyists are people but federal lobbyist are not? Saint Obama has made this distinction... lol

Once again I say that Clinton is the ONLY one of the top three who is not a phony dishonest hypocrite. I may not love ALL of her positions on issues but I trust her to mean what she says.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:06:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama never addressed the issue (none / 0)

"And if you noticed, Obama NEVER DENIED or Addressed that issue in the debate."

That's because it is a really really idiotic issue, and interesting only to purity trolls and people with WAAAAAAYYYYY too much time on their hands.

I mean, seriously, have you ever seen such angst over such a non-issue in your life? It's moronic.

by dataguy on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:43:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you asked (none / 0)

"I mean, seriously, have you ever seen such angst over such a non-issue in your life?"

Tell me, what does the word "kindergarten" mean to you?

That was the phoniest, falsest bunch of bullshit i have EVER seen in thirty years around politics.

Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!

by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:22:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Too bad this gets no tration (none / 0)

See you in South Carolina!!!!!

by Louverture on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:41:32 PM EST

Re: Too bad this gets no tration (2.00 / 1)

that is all that matters to you because you are a hypocritical Obamabot who only wants to win. Like republicans, all that matters to so many of you is if their team scores.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:07:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Too bad this gets no tration (none / 0)

Seeing Hillary set away in shame is all that matters.

by Louverture on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:09:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Someone: Clue in Obama! (none / 0)

When will the Obama attacks stop? Was this diary approved by Hillary?

I am getting the feeling that susan is biased toward Hillary, meaning against Obama. Doesn't Edwards deserve some negative attention too?

Click on Peace, Propaganda, & The Promised Land and learn the truth about the I/P conflict.

by shergald on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:44:02 PM EST

Re: Someone: Clue in Obama! (none / 0)

Understatement of the year....

by moreaxe on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:47:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

your post is ridiculous (2.00 / 1)

illogical, silly, dim.

lord, why did they EVER get rid of the poll test and the smoke filled back room?

N0 GOOD is gonna come from the ill thought shallowness that this comment suggests is the real force behind Obamamania.

Lets hope the President McCain and the repubs will be gentle with us...

Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!

by Seymour Glass on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:12:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Bias? Surely not! (none / 0)

The disengenuousness of Hillary supporters complaining about the influence of lobbyists on other candidates is appalling and amazing. Hillary has taken lots and lots and lots of money from such persons. You have no standing for this diary.

by dataguy on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:33:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bias? Surely not! (none / 0)

This not what the Hillary camp wants to hear. She is the only candidate that applauded corporate backing, hiding in this instance behind the social worker lobby. But it surely goes deeper than that if she is serious about a corporate run universal health care system, where 20% of our premiums and contributions will go to corporate profits and CEO salaries.

And this doesn't begin to speak to her Bushite foreign policy plans.

Click on Peace, Propaganda, & The Promised Land and learn the truth about the I/P conflict.

by shergald on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:52:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

All abooooooard! (none / 0)

The Obama train! Still room for some of you in the back cars. We're serving drinks, too.

by ReillyDiefenbach on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 10:36:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

drinks of koolaide (none / 0)

drink deep everyone.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 09:05:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

There are exceptions: (none / 0)

You've been cut off a long time ago.

by ReillyDiefenbach on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 09:55:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

yup (none / 0)

I haven't had any koolaide in years.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 10:10:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Susan, an Obama supporter explained (2.00 / 2)

OIC, that is like how he won't take money from PACS but it is okay to use his own to pass out money and buy influence.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 04:50:28 PM EST

Read the Wires (none / 0)

The distinction held by Senator Obama's campaign between state and federally registered lobbyists has been discussed, and dismissed by his detractors, at length in this forum. But it explains exactly Obama's position:

Obama aides found themselves on the defensive after Clinton said during Saturday's debate that Obama's New Hampshire campaign co-chairman, Jim Demers, is a lobbyist whose clients include pharmaceutical companies. The Clinton campaign kept up the criticism Sunday morning in a teleconference call with reporters, noting that Obama has repeatedly said he does not take money from federal lobbyists or political action committees.

Obama communications director Robert Gibbs said Demers is a state lobbyist and does not do business involving federal legislation or regulation. He said the campaign has drawn a distinction between lobbyists who are registered to work at the state level and those who lobby the federal government.

"A ban on lobbying money and PACs is far from perfect," Gibbs said. "There is a difference between a college football player and professional football player," he added.

During the debate, while Clinton referred to Demers, the camera caught Obama shaking his head, saying "not so."

"He was shaking his head because her implication was that it violated our lobbyist pledge and his role quite clearly does not," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.

Jim Kuhnhenn - AP 6 Jan 08

by Shaun Appleby on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:29:53 PM EST

Re: Read the Wires (2.00 / 0)

What about Jim Hodges:

Obama's campaign proudly announced today the endorsement of former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges who will join his campaign as a national co-chair.

But the endorsement of Hodges may raise eyebrows among those who support Obama because he strongly decries lobbyists on the stump, frequently saying that he will not let them work in his White House or set the agenda in Washington.

Hodges is the founder of Hodges Consulting Group, a state-based lobbying firm he started in 2003. The firm is a subsidiary of Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P, a law firm that represents clients in North Carolina and South Carolina.

* UPDATE * NBC's Domenico Montanaro adds that Hodges is, in fact, a registered federal lobbyist, a search of the Senate Office of Public Records Lobbying Disclosure Act Database shows. He registered as such on June 1, 2007.

by world dictator on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:37:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Read the Wires (none / 0)

Well then I suppose Obama's campaign will accept his endorsement as former Governor and refuse his campaign contributions. Is there anything else?

by Shaun Appleby on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:22:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Read the Wires (none / 0)

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2 008/01/02/544600.aspx

by world dictator on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:37:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Read the Wires (none / 0)

No shaun, you have dismissed it. Obama is a hypocrite. and perhaps you just don't understand american politics well enough to take part in our political forums. But in America federal legislation also benefits corporations in all states. So if a state lobbyist is giving you money and you pass or vote for federal legislation that benefits them, trying to pretend the two have nothing to do with each other is laughable.
State lobbyists do go to DC, they do meet with Senators and Congress people from their states. They do lobby them. They just don't do it more than the threshold allows for state lobbyists.
Obama is a hypocrite and he thinks no one will catch up to him. He might be right now during the primaries but this will come up in the GE.

Again, you have tried to "debunk" this issue, but it is not debunked because you can't change the facts.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 10:17:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Read the Wires (none / 0)

Perhaps you just don't understand American politics well enough to take part in our political forums. Coming from you Mollie I just don't know what to say to that... Politely.

by Shaun Appleby on Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 10:49:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I just love this (none / 0)

Of course, Hillary's campaign is run entirely by lobbyists. She has sold her soul, and our jobs, to the Indian H-1B lobby. But since she is brazenly overt about her lobbyist connections, they are ignored.

For every single Obama lobbyist connect, Hillary probably has 100.

So, you'll pardon me if I find this a little disengenuous.

by dataguy on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:31:24 PM EST

Re: I just love this (none / 0)

And she accused John Edwards of being a murderer.

by Louverture on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:38:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Truly, truly, truly, I say unto you (1.00 / 1)

this complaint is the single stupidest, most moronic, most idiotic, most inane and most petty that I have seen in many days, ever since Hillary last claimed to be the most experienced candidate.

Attack Barack for being inexperienced, for having bad policies, whatever. But this attack just demonstrates one thing.

When a Hillary-bot becomes threatened by defeat, he or she becomes unhinged and morose, and acts oddly.

by dataguy on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 05:46:34 PM EST

SO FUCKING WHAT (none / 0)

You are saying that SOME OTHER MORON coming up with MORONIC SHIT should command more respect?

Sorry, dipshit, it's still STUPID STUPID STUPID.

by dataguy on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:42:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

OBAMA IS WINNING !!! I LOVE OBAMA! (none / 0)

Horror!
Obama has a (state) lobbyist in his campaign!
This is so BIG! Wow!
hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

You haven't seen anything yet.
Obama is the next President of the United states, in 2009!

by win on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:49:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

RE Hillary-bots (none / 0)

I've gone from feeling a little sorry for them to being totally POed at their incredible stupidity. This issue is beyond moronic, beyond imbecilic, beyond totally idiotic to the point of absurdity.

It's the single stupidest political issue in history, bar none.

by dataguy on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:57:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

[UPDATE] Someone: Clue in Obama! His Campaign Chai (2.00 / 0)

"SEN. CLINTON: ... You know, when it comes to lobbyists, you know, Senator Obama's chair in New Hampshire is a lobbyist. He lobbies for the drug companies. So I think it's important that all of us be held to the same standards, that we're all held accountable."

OBAMA REPLIES: I, I, I, resent this accusation. My lobbyists are inspirers, they inspire corporations to show their good intentions. Hillary's lobbyists are well, well, just plain old fashion lobbyists. My lobbyists are good, decent people making an honest living. My lobbyists, er inspirers, sell hope. Do you see the difference?

by superetendar on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 09:58:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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