WP: Boehner Suggests New Tack on Lobbying

[kskiska]

Emphasis Would Be on Disclosure

House Majority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) has begun shifting his party toward an alternative lobbying reform package that stresses disclosure of lobbying contacts rather than the virtual ban on gifts and privately funded trips proposed last month by House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.).

In an interview yesterday, Boehner emphasized that he has no plan to change lobbying rules and will not draft one until he can reach a broad consensus with House Republicans, possibly at a retreat on Maryland's Eastern Shore next week. But he was quick to say the proposals that Hastert and House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) put forward are not the Republican Conference's plan.

"We don't have a package," he said. "There are some ideas that the speaker and Mr. Dreier have put out. They are very good ideas. I know Mr. Dreier is working in a bipartisan way to refine those proposals, and until then it's a work in progress."

The lobbying plan is probably the first hurdle Boehner faces as he seeks to bring together a fractured Republican Conference and cope with a growing congressional corruption scandal. As a sign of the abrupt shift in leadership since Boehner was elected Thursday to succeed indicted Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) as majority leader, House leadership aides who helped draft Hastert's initial response said it will have to be pulled back.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/03/AR2006020302594.html

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Out with the old bastard. in with the new.

[geomon666]

2. We'll just tell everyone what we're stealing instead of hiding it...

and getting caught. Of course it really won't be stealing once we form the issue and invent the newspeak words that our bought and paid for, whore media will gleefully spew forth.

[0007]

6. First we'll have a secret meeting among us repukes and then

we'll drown the system in mountains of paper work and legal request. Then we slip in what we're stealing in language that only an expert attorney can can read and understand.

Yes sir, everything will be out in the open.

[Trillo]

3. Whatever you do, don't mess with the money.

(to me this is sarcasm, but clearly, to the leaders it's not)

[radfringe]

4. snort

so the lobbying contracts just includes gifts and privately funded trips...

new package design - same crap inside

[salin]

5. What good is disclosure if noone looks to see what is disclosed?

Just another way to keep the money train running through the GOP congress.

[BR_Parkway]

7. so who's paying for the Maryland Eastern Shore retreat?

[loudsue]

8. LOL!! Good question!

:kick:

[wordpix2]

13. do you have a photo? These repuke reps all seem to have mansions

[UpInArms]

9. they should wear patches and logos like NASCAR drivers -

showing their sponsors - the bills should be accompanied by advertisements by the corporations - this would show exactly who is paying and who wants the congress to buy the bill.

[AndyA]

10. Which proves the Repugs are not serious

About cleaning up the lobbying issue. They just need to stop it completely. There is no excuse for accepting "gifts" unless they are of inconsequential value. (< $10.00).

Trusting a man who once handed out tobacco lobby checks on the floor minutes before an important tobacco-related vote is like trusting an alcoholic with the key to the liquor cabinet! INSANITY!

[boobooday]

11. Bush, Dick, and Boehner

Anybody wonder why we feel we're getting screwed?

[cookiebird]

12. In Ohio

we're not impressed. It's more of the "same oh, same oh" except this guy might be able to hide it better. He's had practice.

[Mz Pip]

14. Meet the new boss

same as the old boss.

They sure don't want to give up their perks, do they? Meanwhile the ordinary citizen can't get access to his representative because he can't afford a golfing holiday or a high end meal.

"We the people..." my ass.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[noamnety]

15. I can see where this is going

Secret gifts followed by:

"The gifts we received were perfectly legal, the congressman simply failed to meet the filing deadline - an administrative error."