The New York Times
05/04/12 Eric Lichtblau
“Tired of ‘Tainted’ Image Lobbyist Try Makeover”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/us/politics/tired-of-tainted-image-lobbyists-try-makeover.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Howard Marlowe was speaking a few weeks ago to a government
relations class at the University of California, Berkeley, about his work as a
federal lobbyist when several students voiced their deep mistrust of his
profession and their misgivings about ever considering it themselves.
As president of a Washington lobbying association, Mr.
Marlowe had no real answer. Once a Washington insider becomes identified by the
scarlet letter of lobbyist, he acknowledged afterward, “you’re a leper” if you
ever want to run for office or work for the government.
“We’re tainted,” he said.
Remaking the image of an industry as battered as that of
Washington lobbying might seem like a fool’s quest for even the most
battle-tested public relations person. And it may be difficult to dredge up
much sympathy for an industry that earned $3.3 billion last year for helping
oil companies, drug makers, Wall Street firms and others get access to
Washington’s elite.
The lobbying shop of Holland & Knight, for instance,
announced this month that it is doing pro bono work for a decidedly more
sympathetic client: a group of slave descendants who are lobbying for the
return of more than 2,600 acres of land in Harris Neck, Ga., that they say the
government seized improperly from their families during World War II.
President Obama, who has frequently attacked lobbyists and
the culture of influence peddling he says they promote, has already imposed a
number of ethics measures restricting the role that lobbyists can play within
his administration.
Common Sense Review
So it is interesting that Lobbyist need Pubic Relation
agents to change their image.
As always it is not the words that are said but the words
that are not said. The author notes
“$3.3 billion last year for helping oil companies, drug makers, Wall Street
firms and others get access to Washington elite”. Wow, could this be more one sided. What about solar power companies, health care
agencies, environmental groups, etc.
Anyone who has an interest in Federal Legislation has an interest to
being heard on capitol hill.
The issue of making Lobbyist group a more warm fuzzy image
for the group is based on pro bono work,
ethics training, and disclosure is an a cloak of falsehood. Pro bono work just means the lobbying group
will use their insider knowledge to push the client’s agenda but to create the
“teddy bear” image…. There will be no fees…
In the realm of ethics training just means the people will
use honest and non-persuasive tactics to get their client’s agenda to be heard
by legislators. What?!?!? Lobbyist
already uses honest and non-persuasive tactics.
It is like sales. Salesmen are
not supposed to lie yet they may manipulate the truth or facts, yet the
assumption is that this grey area is not a lie.. but is it? Another point about ethics is the foundation
of ethics is based on a person’s belief system.
So if you feel grafting to legislators so they take notice of your issue
is ok in your belief system. Then ethics
training will not change that person’s attitude toward how to successfully
accomplish their client’s agenda.
I think this goes back to the old adage “If it looks like a
duck, and quack likes a duck, it might be a DUCK” Don’t be fooled. Lobbyists are the tool for Pres. Obama and
legislators as well as groups who think they need to dictate their beliefs on
to you.
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