NYT Op-Ed : Tom DeLay and the Lobbying Game

[Dover]

Tom DeLay and the Lobbying Game

March 4, 2004

The quest by the House majority leader, Tom DeLay, for greater Republican clout in the lucrative world of lobbying is bearing an embarrassment of riches. Two Washington lobbyists with close ties to Mr. DeLay have harvested a cool $45 million across three years by selling lobbying and public affairs services to four Indian tribes flush with casino profits. This is such an eye-popping profit that Senator John McCain is planning hearings on what he calls "disgraceful" suggestions of profiteering. Actually, the tribal contracts, reported by The Washington Post, exemplify the way the Capitol works. One of the enriched lobbyists had been a ranking staff assistant to Mr. DeLay, the other a close political ally....

cont'd >

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/04/opinion/04THU5.html

[acmavm]

1. My, my. What's gotten into the Times lately? It almost sounds like they

are starting to see the light. Of course, not consistently, but here and there.

[Old and In the Way]

2. There was a time where the American public would be outraged

by this type of profiteering.

Sadly, after 3 years of the non-stop war on America, the public appears to be suffering outrage fatigue. I know I am. Nothing surprises me about the way Republicans "do business" in Washinton these days.