Dems cool on Obama bill (The Hill)

[Algorem]

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/022806/news1.html

By Alexander Bolton

Senate Democrats have declined to support legislation proposed by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to reform lobbying, even though he is their point man on the issue.

Good-government groups have made enforcement of the ethics and lobbying rules their top priority, and they consider Obama’s proposal the strongest means of enforcement. But lawmakers appear to view the medicine as too strong.

On Feb. 8, nearly three weeks ago, Obama introduced legislation that would create an independent commission to enforce lobbying rules. Despite reaching out aggressively to Democratic colleagues and a few Republicans, according to good-government groups working with him, only one senator, Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), has co-sponsored his proposal.

Democratic leaders tapped Obama to take a leading role on ethics reform when they unveiled their Honest Leadership and Open Government Act last month...

[Critters2]

1. What's that I smell?

I believe it's DLC.

[Wilms]

2. Is this some kind of hazing ritual?

They just set the guy up to intro the bill, and then they skulk out of the room to meet a lobbyist for dinner.

[niallmac]

3. Reminds me of a line from "Rocky" 1976...

"He doesn't know it's supposed to be a show! He thinks it's a damn fight!"

[stilpist]

4. The real fix is publicly financed elections.

They wouldn't like that either.

[Larkspur]

5. Lieberman claims he got Obama to speak at CT's JJB dinner

but he won't support Obama on this bill because a few weeks ago 3 out of the 5 top donors at his fundraising dinner were Repuke lobbyists. Lieberman is addicted to cash. He's a big spender.

[radio4progressives]

6. Same Ole Same Ole - Hypocrites and Prostitutes - Charlatans All!

these people are insanely corrupt. People are pissed, people are extremely pissed at the corruption, and this is the kind of shit the party leaders are pulling? apart from the ethical concerns, it's political insanity to run and hide from this bill, and it will come back to bite them on the ass. sometimes i have to wonder what the hell is in their coffee?