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Another GOPer off to K Street
Three makes a trend!
Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) -- who was defeated largely because of his ties to Jack Abramoff -- is heading to K Street, Roll Call reported Monday (sub. req.).
Put together with ex-Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), who's landed a lobbying gig with a lobbyist whose access to Burns when he was in office attracted the attention of the feds, and ex-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), who's signalled an interest in lobbying, Pombo makes the third GOPer we know of who voters tossed out of office for his ties to K Street, and who's now off to lobby.
Pombo, whose mutual animosity with evironmental groups was legendary, is in talks with Pac/West Communications, a lobby firm with "a roster of timber and energy clients," according to Roll Call, and one which enjoyed a particularly close relationship to Pombo.
Comments (8)
Crust wrote on January 26, 2007 5:18 PM:I'm no doubt a naif on this stuff, but I don't quite get how it works. There is simultaneously a decrease in demand for GOP lobbyists and an increase in supply. How does that balance out? Lower salaries for GOP lobbyists? Layoffs?
jaded wrote on January 26, 2007 5:31 PM:You have to realize that these aren't really "jobs" as we know them, but placeholders for some future nefarious considerations...
Park these guys in some lobby shop or think tank for a few years while their transgressions fade from memory, and next thing you know, they might be pondering a run at the Oval Office! (read: Newt Gingrich)
ohiomeister wrote on January 26, 2007 7:28 PM:This guy is too stupid to lobby in terms of trying to convince people of his positions. All he can do is throw money at people. You would think companies would be too embarrassed to sign him up as their lobbyist.
Crust, GOP lobbyists can still lobby the Administration. They may get smaller bonuses. Some firms dependent on GOP legislators may close or lose money.
pantheon wrote on January 26, 2007 8:08 PM:Indeed. Pombo is notorius around here (laughable, really) for his absolute lack of speaking skills, charisma, and objectivity. He met with the public only ONCE during the late campaign -- and that was in his home town of Tracy.
The local Repub-leaning paper reported the story matter-of-factly, even apologetically, stating that Pombo, contrary to public perception was not "rolling in dough." That was it. No reference to the ethical implications of the revolving door.
The lobbyist have made an "honest woman" out of Pombo, as only that slimy industry could. They used to pay him under the table. Now they pay him above board. The relationship is the same: he puts out for pay.
chet wrote on January 26, 2007 9:37 PM:We are so pleased to have defeated Pombo in November. This was a case of just speaking the truth to power. It really helped that we had both George and Laura make trips to the area to suppport Pombo. We have seen the last of Pombo.
chet wrote on January 26, 2007 9:39 PM:We are so pleased to have defeated Pombo in November. This was a case of just speaking the truth to power. It really helped that we had both George and Laura make trips to the area to suppport Pombo. We have seen the last of Pombo.
Keith Schmidt wrote on January 28, 2007 7:46 PM:Tricky Rick Santorum---no suprise him and his pals are headed to the lobbying arena. The voters of Pennsylvania sent a pretty clear message to Santorum and his cronies, he was defeated by almost 20 points.
Santorum is not to be trusted. Watch closely who he allies himself with...in his mind, he is presidential material. Santorum is a punk, as described by state legislators who worked with him as a staffer in Harrisburg 15 years ago!
The real truth about Santorum will come out one day!
Jim 7 wrote on January 29, 2007 7:14 PM:Pombo moves to K Street. Gary Miller uses his position to influence zoning on property he owns. Swartzenegger uses campaign contributions to bribe his own staffers. And the LA Times investigates a deal so complicated they can't even say on the front page whether Harry Reid has done anything wrong.