So Newt Gringrich is a citizen not a LOBBYIST?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

..talking up issues important to his clients with former colleagues represented nothing more than his sharing personal opinions as a private citizen...

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/30/9126231-gingrich-im-not-a-lobbyist-just-a-citizen

Liar, Liar, pants on fire!!!

[JoePhilly]

1. All hail Newt Gingrich, Lobbyist-in-chief!!

Apparently, the lobbyists have decided to cut out the middle man.

[Recursion]

2. "Lobbyist" has a specific legal meaning that Newt managed to skate around

Oddly enough, it includes whether or not you're sitting down when you eat with someone, and whether the bagel you give them has cream cheese or peanut butter on it, as well as where this happens (ironically, you can't actually lobby in the lobby of either chamber). Former Members of Congress can register as lobbyists (and many do) but Newt did not, and did not do what is legally defined as "lobbying" any more than you or I do when we visit our Congresscritters' offices. Yes, it's infuriating.

[meow2u3]

3. That would make him an illegal lobbyist

Newtered should be behind bars, not running for office.

If he didn't disclose his lobbying activities, or tried to cover them up by masquerading as a "consultant", he should be prosecuted.

[Recursion]

4. Except he didn't illegally lobby. He didn't lobby at all

Like I said, "lobbying" has a legal definition, and what Newt did isn't included in it. That law should definitely be changed, but what he did didn't break the laws on the books (which is what is so infuriating).

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. definitely - he could run in 2012 and then be arrested