McCain & Santorum holding press conference on lobby reform on C-span now!

[flpoljunkie]

Santorum speaking first. No specifics yet--just blather.

[flpoljunkie]

1. Says McCain's bill will be basis. McCain focuses on transparency.

Not enough! Neither is the two year for members and their staff to become lobbyists. Santorum mentioned 527 reform, too.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Liebeman has, indeed, already signed on to sponsor McCain's bill.

I don't believe Feingold has.

[flpoljunkie]

4. These aren't citizens petitioning their government. What about lobbyists

holding fundraisers for Congressmen's PACs, McCain? No mention, so far.

[flpoljunkie]

12. One of 5 Ideas from Common Cause: End the Campaign Money Chase

3. End the campaign money chase

Attack the root of the problem: The campaign money that makes lobbyists and the contributions they solicit from their clients so invaluable.

As long as congressional races costs hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions of dollars, elected officials will rely on lobbyists to help them raise the campaign cash they need. Jack Abramoff and his lobbying colleagues raised more than $5.3 million from their clients, including a few Indian tribes, and gave to 364 federal candidates between 1999 and 2004, according to The Washington Post. All these millions gave Abramoff unprecedented power and access, and put the priorities of his clients above the priorities of the average American.

Common Cause long has advocated clean campaigns for federal and state elections, permitting candidates to run for office, agree to voluntary spending limits, and receive public funds for their races. In 1974, the Watergate scandal spurred Congress to create the Presidential Public Financing system. This year, a scandal spurred Connecticut to approve public financing for its state executive and legislative races. The Abramoff scandal should be the catalyst for enactment of publicly-funded campaigns for Members of Congress, and a revamped and strengthened public financing program for presidential campaigns.


http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=...

[rodeodance]

3. so did the House. Hasturd just had his press conference.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Yes. I posted that link, too.

[stevedeshazer]

6. Santorum nodding - bobble-head

McCain putting up a front. Jeez.

[rodeodance]

10. slimeball santy man talking of ethics. geech!

[rodeodance]

7. see this for House ethics REFORM bill.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2046962

[rodeodance]

8. are they saying anything about personal responsibility or is this blame

the lobbyist day? (like the House did0.

[flpoljunkie]

13. Mostly "blame the lobbyists" but McCain's idea to end earmarks essential

for reform.

[rurallib]

9. Republicans reforming the lobbying system is like

the plantation owners reforming slavery. Like the KKK promoting religious tolerance. Like Nazi Germany sponsoring international brotherhood week. I could go on.
Yep, always trust the guy whose been stealing you blind to catch the thief. Makes sense. Maybe we should have convicted killers run for sheriff?

[flpoljunkie]

11. Santorum implies it's the "fruitbaskets" we get that are the problem!

And that lobbyists must be the ones to report these gifts, not the legislators! Priceless!

The problem is that lobbyists are allowed to hold fundraisers for their leadership PACs! Not one of the Republicans has mentioned changing this, have they? And will the Dems tomorrow?

Common Cause has 5 Big Ideas to clean up Washington. This is #3.

3. End the campaign money chase

Attack the root of the problem: The campaign money that makes lobbyists and the contributions they solicit from their clients so invaluable.

As long as congressional races costs hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions of dollars, elected officials will rely on lobbyists to help them raise the campaign cash they need. Jack Abramoff and his lobbying colleagues raised more than $5.3 million from their clients, including a few Indian tribes, and gave to 364 federal candidates between 1999 and 2004, according to The Washington Post. All these millions gave Abramoff unprecedented power and access, and put the priorities of his clients above the priorities of the average American.

Common Cause long has advocated clean campaigns for federal and state elections, permitting candidates to run for office, agree to voluntary spending limits, and receive public funds for their races. In 1974, the Watergate scandal spurred Congress to create the Presidential Public Financing system. This year, a scandal spurred Connecticut to approve public financing for its state executive and legislative races. The Abramoff scandal should be the catalyst for enactment of publicly-funded campaigns for Members of Congress, and a revamped and strengthened public financing program for presidential campaigns.


http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=196485

[flpoljunkie]

14. Watching C-Span, don't these reporters know that lobbyists raising money

for Congressmen's leadership PACs is huge problem--perhaps the needed heart of lobbyist reforms.