Santorum's Machine Exposed

[blue neen]

"There's an interesting piece in today's Wall Street Journal that shows us a specific example of how Rick Santorum, and the "K Street Project" that he leads, uses influence and subtle intimidation to coerce corporations, associations and lobbying firms into hiring, and donating to, Republicans.

If you're not familiar with the K Street Project, or Rick's role in it, here's what the Washington Monthly had to say about it:
...But there's one confirmation hearing you won't hear much about. It's convened every Tuesday morning by Rick Santorum, the junior senator from Pennsylvania, in the privacy of a Capitol Hill conference room, for a handpicked group of two dozen or so Republican lobbyists. Occasionally, one or two other senators or a representative from the White House will attend. Democrats are not invited, and neither is the press.

"The chief purpose of these gatherings is to discuss jobs--specifically, the top one or two positions at the biggest and most important industry trade associations and corporate offices centered around Washington's K Street, a canyon of nondescript office buildings a few blocks north of the White House that is to influence-peddling what Wall Street is to finance. In the past, those people were about as likely to be Democrats as Republicans, a practice that ensured K Street firms would have clout no matter which party was in power. But beginning with the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994, and accelerating in 2001, when George W. Bush became president, the GOP has made a determined effort to undermine the bipartisan complexion of K Street. And Santorum's Tuesday meetings are a crucial part of that effort. Every week, the lobbyists present pass around a list of the jobs available and discuss whom to support. Santorum's responsibility is to make sure each one is filled by a loyal Republican--a senator's chief of staff, for instance, or a top White House aide, or another lobbyist whose reliability has been demonstrated. After Santorum settles on a candidate, the lobbyists present make sure it is known whom the Republican leadership favors. "The underlying theme was place Republicans in key positions on K Street. Everybody taking part was a Republican and understood that that was the purpose of what we were doing," says Rod Chandler, a retired congressman and lobbyist who has participated in the Santorum meetings. "It's been a very successful effort."

The article goes on to explain how a former Democrat, Dan Glickman, has suddenly come around to seeing things "the Republican Way."

http://www.santorumexposed.com/serendipity/archives/60-Santorums-Machine-Exposed.html


edited to add link.

[OrlandoGator]

1. Damn, I thought you were talking about his machine that runs on D-cells.

n/t

[blue neen]

2. LOL!

You made me spit my beer all over the keyboard!

:rofl:

The batteries might short out the bolts that stick out of his head.