GOP moderates woo lobbyists during lunch dates as they publicly push for reform

RAW STORY
Published: Saturday April 29, 2006

An alliance of moderate Republicans who have helped push for lobbying reform face accusations of hypocrisy for continuing to charge lobbyists to attend lunch dates, reports the New York Times in an article slated for Sunday's edition, RAW STORY has found.

Excerpts from the article written by David D. Kirkpatrick:

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For $5,000, a lobbyist can join lawmakers and staff members of the alliance, the Republican Main Street Partnership, for a lunchtime policy briefing by an outside expert. For $25,000, the lobbyist can attend four lunches, two of them with briefings by an outside expert and two with briefings from members of Congress.

And for $25,000, the lobbyist can have three lunch briefings with lawmakers, not to mention VIP seating for eight at a black-tie dinner for the moderates' coalition.

Lobbyists who have contributed to the partnership say the lunches are worth it.

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The partnership can seek unlimited and undisclosed corporate donations because it is organized as a nonprofit advocacy group. Other groups of that type, like People for the American Way or the National Rifle Association, can do the same thing, but the partnership is a rare example of one that is dominated by elected officials and operates outside campaign finance rules to promote its agenda.

Its fundraising tactics are especially notable because the group includes Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., two lawmakers who have led the calls to tighten lobbying and campaign finance rules.

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FULL ARTICLE HERE