DDU Alumni Leave the Hill as Representatives Only to Return as Lobbyists

May 16, 2011

DDU Alumni Leave the Hill as Representatives Only to Return as Lobbyists

After years of their tax-and-spend policies that have resulted in an unsustainable debt and skyrocketing costs, Democrats were booted out of office for their reckless governance and utter disregard to their constituents. No longer able to push their wreckless spending sprees on the official side, they’ve headed to special interest firms only to lobby for the very issues that Americans loudly disagreed with:

“Almost a third of the Blue Dog Democrats who retired or were defeated in 2010 have gone to work for organizations that lobby their former colleagues in Congress, according to an iWatch News review. The Blue Dog ranks were devastated by the 2010 election, falling from a high of 54 to 26. Of those no longer in Congress, eight have moved through the “revolving door” to employment with lobbying entities.” (Aaron Mehta, “Former Blue Dogs find lobbying jobs,” Politico, 5/16/11)

Eight went to work for organizations or companies that engaged in federal lobbying during the first quarter of 2011:

“Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota works for Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz; Walt Minnick of Idaho is employed by The Majority Group; Allen Boyd of Florida works for Twenty-First Century Group; Charlie Melancon of Louisiana works for the International Franchise Association; Brad Ellsworth of Indiana is employed by Vectren Corp; Bart Gordon of Tennessee works for lobbying giant K&L Gates; Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota is employed by Alston & Bird; and John Tanner of Tennessee works for Prime Policy Group.” (Aaron Mehta, “Former Blue Dogs find lobbying jobs,” Politico, 5/16/11)

Good government watchdogs agree that fired Democrat members who have recently joined lobbying firms create a conflict of interest:

“Good government advocates raise the alarm about former members of Congress returning to their old stomping grounds in new roles with lobbying firms. “It often appears that members of Congress are using their public service as a steppingstone to a far more lucrative job,” said Mary Boyle, vice president for communications at Common Cause.” (Aaron Mehta, “Former Blue Dogs find lobbying jobs,” Politico, 5/16/11)

This holds true for Earl Pomeroy especially. Fired by his North Dakota constituents in part because of his lockstep support for President Obama’s government takeover of healthcare, Pomeroy is now making sure he remains in the loop when it comes to implementing the wildly unpopular law:

“Pomeroy, the sole representative from North Dakota from 1993 until January, said he took a job with Washington lobbying firm Alston & Bird because he wants to continue to have a hand in the health care debate. He pointed out that voting for President Barack Obama’s health care law may well have cost him his seat, and ‘I darn sure want to make sure it works.’” (Aaron Mehta, “Former Blue Dogs find lobbying jobs,” Politico,5/16/11)