Obama acts to drive the lobbyists out of Washington (Independent / UK)

[struggle4progress]

Strict new rules on the backroom deal-makers; President-elect hopes to succeed where others failed
By Leonard Doyle in Washington
Thursday, 13 November 2008

... John Podesta, the transition chief, has revealed a set of draconian new regulations aimed at curbing the excessive influence of lobbyists, as Mr Obama promised throughout his election campaign. They are to be denied their normal role of greasing the wheels of the new administration's costly transition to power by paying for office space and staff between now and the inauguration on 20 January.

Mr Podesta unveiled what he said was "the strictest, the most far-reaching ethics rules of any transition team in history," and declared "that the undue influence of Washington lobbyists and the revolving door of Washington ceases to exist."

The White House and the Capitol are the two most impressive buildings in Washington but power is really along Pennsylvania Avenue and K Street, where the top-tier lobbyists arrange access to decision-makers and cut backroom deals for special interest groups.

Now, in the dying days of the Bush administration, an unprecedented frenzy is under way as Washington's legal and lobbying establishment tries to get its hands on some of the $700bn (£470bn) financial rescue package for clients before a deadline of tomorrow ...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-acts-to-drive-the-lobbyists-out-of-washington-1015851.html

[snake in the grass]

1. Lobbyists are a threat to the republic.

I am happy to hear that Obama is seeking to put an end to their influence as they don't have the interests of the people at heart, but rather those of the stockholders.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

2. now there's something you won't see on Corp. "news"!

THANKS! Very encouraging to see this!

Yay, Obama!!