Lobbyists

August 18, 2008 -- On the same day John McCain bragged about how proud he is of the lobbyists running his campaign, McCain is accepting campaign cash raised by one of the central figures in the culture of corruption surrounding a convicted lobbyist.

According to published reports, the chair of McCain's Georgia fundraising committee asked Ralph Reed, a central figure in the scandals surrounding disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff,to help raise money for today's fundraiser in Atlanta. Reed then asked his friends to send money to McCain in an email in which Reed advertised himself as a member of John McCain's Victory 2008 team.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- The Democratic National Committee today launched the first web ad of the Exxon-McCain '08 campaign. The ad, called "Exxon John," highlights McCain's promise of more giveaways for his new friends in Big Oil. Released on the same day activists across the country are participating in an Exxon-McCain '08 National Day of Action, "Exxon John" is a parody of the "Big John" video released earlier this year by Republican Senator John Cornyn.    » read more »

Exxon-McCain '08

August 11, 2008 -- Activists across the country will take part in a National Day of Action to protest the Exxon-McCain '08 campaign on Tuesday, August 12. Tomorrow's events are the cornerstone of a week of grassroots activism in as many as 18 states aimed at highlighting Exxon John's promise of four more years of gimmicks and giveaways that line Big Oil's pockets but do nothing to help Americans deal with skyrocketing energy costs.    » read more »

August 5, 2008 -- This week, with energy in the headlines and at the forefront of the economic struggles for America's families, Americans are demanding real solutions to soaring gas prices and the long-term energy crisis. But instead of looking ahead for comprehensive solutions to our nation's energy problems and towards reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and developing alternative energy sources, John McCain is turning to the Bush-Cheney play book which puts the interests of oil companies ahead of the interests of Americans. In fact, John McCain has at least 33 former oil lobbyists who advise him or fund-raise for his campaign.    » read more »

Barack Obama-Backed Bill Would Require All Lobbyists Representing Foreign Clients To Register with the Justice Department, Eliminating Exemption Carved Out By Lobbying Disclosure Act

June 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) today unveiled legislation that would close legal loopholes allowing U.S. lobbyists to influence government officials on behalf of foreign clients without having to disclose their activities.

The issue surfaced last month in the U.S. presidential campaign, as reports spotlighted a trend of lobbying firms performing work for a range of foreign entities without ever registering with the Department of Justice, as is required in most circumstances.    » read more »

June 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today joined with Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) to introduce the Closing the Foreign Lobbying Loophole Act, which would close loopholes that allow American lobbyists, representing foreign clients, to lobby U.S. government officials without disclosing these activities. Obama is an original cosponsor of the bill.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- The Washington Post reveals the cozy relationship between John McCain and the Washington lobbyists he once railed against. Despite his rhetoric about reducing the role of lobbyists in Washington, McCain's inner circle is dominated by lobbyists like Charlie Black, who the Post describes as a "longtime uber-lobbyist" and "a pioneer of the revolving door between campaign consulting and lobbying."

John McCain: Photo by Chris Denbow (CC)    » read more »

May 20, 2008 -- John McCain says "[e]thics and transparency are not election year buzz words; they are the obligations of democracy and the duties of honorable public service." Yet his top campaign advisors have no problem lying about their lobbying records. Their excuse? Americans don't care--something McCain has yet to say if he agrees with. [johnmccain.com, accessed 5/19/08]    » read more »

May 19, 2008 -- John McCain says he wants to "[s]top the revolving door" of lobbyists in Washington. But if his campaign is any indication, lobbyists would play a central role in a McCain Administration. McCain's campaign is being run by lobbyists, many of whom lobbied for industries or foreign governments McCain has talked about on the campaign trail.

John McCain's "Straight Talk Express": Photo by Rich McGervey (CC)    » read more »

February 24, 2008 -- David Brooks: "John McCain has a record for 23 years. Every year he goes to the floor of the Senate and makes fun of the earmarks that lobbyists have produced and his colleagues take a little piece of skin out of his back for ridiculing them. He tackled Jack Abramoff even though it made the Republican Party very uncomfortable. He tackled Boeing. "

Excerpts: David Brooks On "Meet The Press"    » read more »

New Public Citizen Study Finds John McCain, Rudy Giuliani Lead the Field With Number of Lobbyist-Bundlers in Their Campaigns

Jan. 29, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The number of lobbyists raising money for the 2008 presidential candidates already has eclipsed the total for the entire 2004 campaign, according to a Public Citizen study released Tuesday.

So far, candidates still in the race have recruited 142 federal lobbyists to raise money for their campaigns, compared to 136 lobbyist fundraisers in 2004.    » read more »

January 11, 2008 -- Maybe it was the strain of doing three debates in five days, or the pressure of facing a second must-win primary in a week, but last night John McCain took his "do anything to win" campaign mentality to a new low. During last night's debate in South Carolina, McCain tried to position himself as an agent of change by bragging about Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff being in prison and claiming that "he will tell you, and his lobbyist cronies, of the change I made" in Washington. [Fox News Debate, 1/10/08]    » read more »

January 7, 2008 -- Throughout recent weeks, John McCain has tried to separate himself from Washington, DC where he has spent the last twenty five years, but he's up against his own record.    » read more »

Statement of Joan Claybrook, President, Public Citizen

Sept. 14, 2007 -- Public Citizen heartily applauds all those in the 110th Congress, especially Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and all the freshmen lawmakers from the 2006 elections – for taking a huge step toward delivering on their promise to help “clean up the swamp” on Capitol Hill. The “Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007” (S.    » read more »

September 14, 2007 -- Washington, DC — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today following the President’s signature of the lobbying and ethics reform bill into law:

“Today marks a significant day for our nation, as the President signs the toughest ethics and lobbying reform in generations, and Democrats continue to deliver on our promises to the American people.    » read more »