NYT: Elections Also Cued Change of Guard for Lobbyists (Help Wanted: Democrats)

[DeepModem Mom]

Elections Also Cued Change of Guard for Lobbyists
By JEFF ZELENY
Published: November 15, 2006

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 — Republicans do not cede control of Congress for nearly two months, but money, power and influence are already beginning to change hands. The political economy, at least here in the capital, is humming for Democrats.

Democratic lobbyists are fielding calls from pharmaceutical companies, the oil and gas industry and military companies, all of which had grown accustomed to patronizing Republicans, as the environment in Washington abruptly shifts....

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The Republican Party lost its grip on Congress and is now bracing to lose its hold over K Street, the bustling corridor that has become synonymous with the lobbying industry. The so-called K Street Project, an effort engineered by Republicans to dominate the trade, is unraveling, and Democrats say they intend to pass sweeping reforms rather than reverse the project for their benefit.

Democrats say the changing of the guard provides a raft of opportunities, second only to winning the presidency.

Former members of Congress who left Washington have placed confidential calls to headhunters, wondering whether firms are hiring. (They are.) Former staff members have fielded inquiries from lobbying shops that have an urgent need for people with current contacts and old relationships with Democratic leaders. One prominent lobbyist said a former Senate aide was offered a starting salary of $500,000....At the same time, some Republicans began receiving materials on unemployment benefits this week as the party sheds thousands of jobs, relinquishing staff committee assignments and leadership posts in both chambers for the first time in 12 years....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/15/us/politics/15lobby.html?hp&ex=1163566800&en=5fbf713dbe86c602&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Cha]

1. Watch it Dems!

You work for the peeps.