Lobbyist’s Client List Puts Him on the Defensive

[Judi Lynn]

Source: New York Times

Lobbyist’s Client List Puts Him on the Defensive
By GINGER THOMPSON and ERIC LIPTON
Published: December 30, 2010

WASHINGTON — After decades of work for some of this country’s most powerful lobbying firms, Lanny J. Davis, the lawyer who once helped defend President Bill Clinton from impeachment, is suddenly scrambling to defend himself.

Since leaving the White House, Mr. Davis has built a client list that now includes coup supporters in Honduras, a dictator in Equatorial Guinea, for-profit colleges accused of exploiting students, and a company that dominates the manufacture of additives for infant formula. This month, he agreed to represent the Ivory Coast strongman whose claims to that country’s presidency have been condemned by the international community and may even set off a civil war.

Mr. Davis withdrew from his $100,000-a-month contract with Ivory Coast on Wednesday night, saying that the embattled government refused to accept his suggestion to talk to President Obama. Still, his role in West Africa has stoked growing criticism that Mr. Davis has become a kind of front man for the dark side, willing to take on some of the world’s least noble companies and causes.

Many lobbying firms have clients with checkered records. Indeed, those are the people who need help the most in Washington. But many activists — and even some government officials — said the list of clients in Mr. Davis’s firm stood out.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/world/31davis.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[tularetom]

1. That guy is pond scum

Whoring for all the worst leaders in the world and badmouthing Democrats on Fox while claiming to be a Democrat.

We need to see a whole lot less of that POS.

[Roci]

4. No

He's a Lawyer. At least Pond scum is natural. Lawyers like this are made, and there's more of them being made every week. Sleep tight, and Happy New Year!

[mindwalker_i]

6. No, he's a business man

Lawyers have a place and will take cases. Business men do whatever it takes to make money. Ethics is not a concern.

And he's got a very specific piece of market share.

[roguevalley]

7. he's a soulless automatum who thinks he's a good man. that

makes him satan in my book. he chooses to help people who poison babies. Nice.

[PassingFair]

2. He is a DLC stooge and a great friend of the Clintons.

He is a democrat.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

[Bragi]

9. Clinton does PR for war criminal Bush

So I guess this guy is no diferent.

[Jefferson23]

3. He has got to be kidding, from the OP:

“I’m a liberal Democrat,” Mr. Davis said, referring to his work for Mr. Obiang. “I’ve been a liberal Democrat all my life. I haven’t changed my values. But what am I supposed to do if the leader of a country comes to me and says he wants to get right with the world, and get right with the United States? Am I supposed to say no, and let him go on doing what he’s doing? Or should I try to help him get right?”

ROFL, sure thing Lanny.

[Bragi]

8. The answer is easy -- send him an invoice

That's sure to stop any misbehaviour by thug clients.

[UpInArms]

11. I guess this guy identifies with the "liberal Democrat" that has been defined

by Newt and the boyz.

bleh

[Purveyor]

5. I see a Fox News 'gig' in his future... eom

[sarcasmo]

10. Greed has no soul.