Forget What Obama Said About Lobbyists

From an understanding Washington Post:

Democrats Benefiting From Post-Election Lobby Boom

By Matthew Mosk
Friday, November 14, 2008; Page A01

Barack Obama spent much of his presidential campaign decrying the influence of Washington lobbyists. In the 10 days since he was elected, he already has had an impact: He has touched off a mini-boom on K Street.

Top lobbying firms are gearing up to handle increased demand from corporate clients who fear that the Obama administration will expand its regulatory reach and target them for tax increases. Some firms, such as Patton Boggs, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and Alston & Bird, are also preparing for new business resulting from the ongoing effort to stabilize the economy.

And who is cashing in on this boom? Democrats who supported Obama…

The shadow transition on K Street really began two years ago, when Democrats won control of Congress…

Laura Sheehan, who recently became vice president of marketing and communications for the American Gas Association, had been policy director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and a top aide to Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.).

“After the last election, when the House flipped, I got three to four serious job inquiries on election night just because of my party background,” she said. She did not take any of those positions, but said the phenomenon has been compounded this year.

“In this climate, Democratic backgrounds are attractive to people,” Sheehan said. “This town, that’s what it runs on.” …

[A]lmost from the start of his campaign, Obama made clear that he would not be slamming the door on interactions with lobbyists. In a December 2007 speech in Iowa, he said he was “running to tell the lobbyists in Washington that their days of setting the agenda are over. They have not funded my campaign. They won’t work in my White House.” But the candidate quickly backed away from that second part. A few days later in Waterloo, Iowa, he changed the phrasing to say that lobbyists “are not going to dominate my White House.” …

Steve Elmendorf, a former top adviser to former House minority leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.), said that he understands why Obama took that approach, but that he does not believe lobbyists will be turned away…

Elmendorf is one of several who foresee a boon for the industry. A new Democratic administration and an increasing Democratic tilt in Congress means more activist government, he said. “That means businesses will have the potential for more things to happen to them. If they think that’s coming, they will be hiring people to figure out how to contend with that.” …

Tony Podesta, John Podesta’s brother and a top Democratic lobbyist, said the party’s expanding ranks are not going to force him to curtail his work. “I’m not studying for the priesthood or thinking of opening a doughnut shop,” he said.

Indeed, we should start a new category of news articles.

“Forget what Obama said about [fill in the blank].”

Something tells us this is going to be a common refrain for the next eight years.