Do Obama's big donors break his no-lobbyist pledge?

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

President Obama's re-election campaign is pushing back against a New York Times report that suggests Mr. Obama may not be meeting his own standards when it comes to keeping corporate lobbyists out of his campaign.

At least 15 of Mr. Obama's "bundlers" -- supporters who collect donations from multiple people on behalf of a campaign in order to generate big donations without violating the law -- work in the lobbying industry though they are not technically registered as federal lobbyists, the Times reports. These key supporters, with ties to heavy-hitting industries like telecommunications and pharmaceuticals, have raised more than $5 million so far for Mr. Obama's re-election.

Their fundraising seems to contradict the spirit of Mr. Obama's pledge to not take money from lobbyists. The president's campaign, however, says the New York Times story "misses the forest for the trees."

From the day he announced his 2008 presidential bid, Mr. Obama hasn't accepted a dime from registered lobbyists or political action committees, Obama campaign press secretary Ben LaBolt said in a statement. Furthermore, LaBolt pointed out, Mr. Obama has led the way in disclosing the names of major volunteer fundraisers.

This all stands in contrast, he added, to the Republican presidential campaigns, which readily accept donations from lobbyists.

"Reducing the influence of special interests over the policymaking process won't happen overnight--there are many institutional forces fighting tooth and nail to make sure that it does not," LaBolt said. "But every step of the way, the president has promoted reform while candidates like Mitt Romney have thrown up their arms and attempted to thrive off the system as it is."

While the 15 bundlers cited by the Times may not meet the technical criteria to be registered lobbyists, the influence they wield in Washington on behalf of their business interests is clear. Sally Susman, for instance, is an executive who leads the lobbying shop for the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, though she's not technically a lobbyist herself. She's raised more than $500,000 for Mr. Obama's re-election and helped organize a $35,800-a-ticket dinner the president attended.

The rewards for several of Mr. Obama's bundlers have been handsome, a June report showed. Eighty percent of the bundlers who raised $500,000 or more for Mr. Obama in the 2008 election ended up in "key administration posts," in the words of the White House, according to a study from the Center for Public Integrity.

Still, Mr. Obama's efforts to keep corporate interests out of his campaign extend far beyond any efforts his opponents are making.

In fact, the Washington Post reported this week that "K Street is playing an increasingly central role in the 2012 presidential race, as hundreds of lobbyists representing some of the world's largest corporations and trade groups pour money into Republican coffers."

More than 100 registered lobbyists have contributed to Mitt Romney, giving nearly $200,000 in direct donations to the former Massachusetts governor, the Post reported. Meanwhile, lobbyist bundlers have collected $1 million for his campaign.

Lobbyist donors could be of "pivotal importance" in making the 2012 election cycle one of the most expensive in history, according to the Post.

The Obama campaign pointed out that Romney doesn't voluntarily disclose any of the major fundraisers that have contributed to his campaign.

Furthermore, it was Mr. Obama who co-sponsored legislation in the Senate requiring presidential candidates to identify lobbyists who act as campaign bundlers.

Still, Republicans aren't making the same promises that Mr. Obama has made. In an email to Mr. Obama's supporters, celebrating the fact that his re-election campaign has surpassed one million donors, the group Obama for America wrote, "We've always relied on each other, not Washington lobbyists or corporate interests, to build our campaign."

The Republican party is jumping on the notion that Mr. Obama's bundlers break that promise.

"Today we learned we were all duped by another false campaign pledge from President Obama," Republican National Committee spokesman Kirsten Kukowski said in a statement.

[gadgetcoder]

Kirsten is correct! This man tells more lies than Lucifer himself...You know he is lying because his lips are moving... And when he is about to tell a REAL whopper, he warns you with, "...Let me be clear..."

[tyterrible]

rationall7 ...
1) Congress voted to go to war with Iraq. Almost unanimously voted upon. Unlike Obama who has sent troops to Syria, Libya and now Kenya by sending an email. There ... Obama topped that.
2) Trillions of corrupt dollars is correct. Union dues and pensions paid for, energy scandals, debt and still no jobs. Obama has set the stage alright.
3) Obama has inured WE will all pay the bill except for his friends like GE, Bank of America ... oh didnt you know? of the 10 top contributors to his campaign 5 are Wall Street banks. The other 5 are the top lobbiest firms in the nation.
4) Corruption? How about 167 of his 310 presidential appointees being from lobbiest groups. Corruption has never seen anything like this.

So don't go pontificating that your golden boy is so golden. He is a Chicago thug.

[nojello]

Sure he did; truth to a community organizer is flexible and changing. According to Saul Alinsky, in his book "Rules for Radicals," when he is talking about the community organizer, "he has no fixed truth -- truth for him is relative and changing..."

So, a community organizer like Obama probably always says, "If you don't like the truth I say today, just wait till tomorrow, I'll change the truth I told you yesterday and tell you a new truth."

[rationall7]

One person can't change Washington alone and I doubt it can be done by seal team six. The people in Washington see the greater good as placing thierself as number one then the donars number two and the 99% last just look at the current congress, tax breaks for the wealthy and NO jobs for the unemployed and No healthcare for them either. Obama's healthcare is a mandatory purchase from a private insurance carrier and no choice for a competitive goverment non-profit option. Washington belongs to the groups with large pools of money and a work position above $100,000 after leaving office.

[Levendiman]

The American citizen has let things get out of control We are all guilty of being distracted with nonsense like dancing with the stars, American idol, Jersey shore, etc. We're not doing our duty to learn who is doing what to us and now everything is out of control. We can bring it back, one thing at a time. We need to invest time and educate ourselves how all tax money disappears. So much is wasted it's a crime.

[GrannyCares]

The Obama administration has become -- and probably always was -- the most corrupt administration in my time, and I go back to Roosevelt in the 30's. He has made a sham out of this Country and the Constitution.

His support of the anarchists in this sit in movement is really abysmal!

For those politicians who are supportive of the 'OCCUPY' movement, let's take a behind the scenes look at what they are SUPPORTING!

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/26/exclusive-acorn-playing-behind-scenes-role-in-occupy-movement/

http://dailycaller.com/2011/10/17/red-white-and-angry%E2%80%A8-communist-nazi-parties-endorse-occupy-protests/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Y9CARUwio&

Proudly adding to their ranks!
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/grubby_lowlifes_wvw3jSZRkqIIqJcio5xJaI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIlRQCPJcew

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/bizarre/occupy-wall-street-wanted-man-897430

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMV0TR3pGzg&feature=player_embedded#!

(WATCH OUT - THEY ARE GOING TO START 'LEVITATING'!)
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/occupy-atlanta-march-georgia-pacific-building/nFMf4/

They are even picking on Rahm Emanuel!!
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Occupy-Chicago-Takes-on-City-Hall-132605808.html?dr

Know that Obama and Pelosi are proud of these displays of anarchy & depravation!

http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/occupy-madison-loses-permit-1.2669111#.Tqv_QXH8Nro

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/10/report-fights-erupt-between-occupy-wall-street-protesters/1

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20111028/NEWS03/710289961

And here is their chief CHEER LEADER - GUESS WHO??

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-occupy-wall-street-we-are-their-side_598251.html

...And they think their 'demands' should be met?? That is like Obama claiming he will not allow lobbyists in the White House, or that his administration is 'TRANSPARENT'!! Is not going to happen Clyde!!

[arthanyel]

A long list of conservative propaganda. Obama is not behind OWS the are as angry at Democrats as at Republicans. Theoberwhleming majority of protestors are middle class, employed amd angry citizens. They are not communists, nazis, hippis, or any of the other conservative propaganda here. The fact there are links on this to Faux News tells you all you need to know about sources.

And they are mostly not anarchists either. They don't want handouts or to destroy the country. What hey WANT is economic justice, by ending the plutocracy that has stolen our democracy, and by making sure the 1% are not allowed to cheat to steal money from the poor and give to themselves.

[arthanyel]

As for corruption, this administration doesn't come CLOSE to Bush/Cheney or Nixon in terms of corruption - not even in the same ball park with either. Ever heard of Haliburton?

[Dgunner]

I HOPE THEY ALL F--K AROUND AND START A CIVIL WAR.IT IS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE WHERE ALL THE SO CALLED BLEADERS IN WASHINGTON LIVE.THE UNUNITED STATES OS AMERICA WILL SOON TURN ON THIER OWN . WATCH AND SEE. IT ALL WILL BEGIN WITH THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT AND THE NEED FOR VOTING POLLS WILL BECOME OBSELETE.

[arthanyel]

Only conservative Tea Party extremists (which are a small number of them) are calling for civil war.

We don't need a civil war. We just need the silent majority to wake up and exercise their power at the ballot box.

[smartasss1]

At least Obama tries to keep clean. The Republicans simply works for corporate interest.

Credit card reform - GOP sided with credit card companies
financial reform - GOP sided with the banks
Healthcare reform - GOP sided with the insurance industry

[Reverend-slappy]

My poor misguided boy. Obama is bought and paid for by corporate interests as anyone who becomes president. Without their money and influence Obama would still be a community organizer.

[RobAla]

SMarty: You really need to read something other than Mother Jones.

Corporate interest? During the 2008 campaign, President Obama took more money from Wall Street than any elected President in history. It was perfectly legal - just pointing it out.

In his 2008 campaign, President Obama said the following:
He would have transparency in government - He has been anything but transparent - and his Attorney General Eric Holder is about to be force to resign over cover ups.

He said he would behave in a bipartisan manner - that was the biggest lie of all. Immediately after taking office, he began the push for the health care law. When McCain attempted to join with him and provide input, President Obama basically said "I won, you lost" and ignored him. When Republican doctors attempted to meet with the President on this subject, they were ignored - as well. However, President Obama had plenty of time to meet with union leaders (who supported him during the election) behind closed doors, and it resulted in President Obama giving unions one health care deal and the rest of a different deal.

Speaking of the horrible health care law, it is a total disaster. 27 states are suing the federal government over it. It is killing jobs with it's massive additional expenses and regulation it imposes on businesses.

There is nothing clean about President Obama's politics.

[violist47]

Like a lot of people who voted for Obama, I am disappointed in what he has done and not done. However, I am utterly appalled at what the Republicans plan to do and not to do. I think Obama has tried to be honest; I think he has tried to accomplish the goals he promised to attain. I think most of his failures should be attributed to the Republicans, who have blocked his every move and have watered-down his health care so that it tastes like soggy beer.

[RobAla]

Two questions:
1) What specifically appalls you concerning Republican plans?
2) I think President Obama is probably a good husband and a good father, but there is very little honesty about him regarding politics. He is a Chicago style politician.

President Obama's failures occurred when Democrats controlled the Whitehouse, the Senate, and the House. There was no blocking of President Obama's agenda by Republicans. For example, the idiotic health care law that:
a) was crammed down the throat of the majority of Americans who do want it
b) behind closed doors with union leaders, gave one deal to unions and a different deal to the rest of us
c) resulted in 27 states suing the federal government over it
d) after Democrats cut $400+ billion from Medicare to pay for it, still costs taxpayers $105 billion in additional spending EACH YEAR
e) imposes massive increases in expenses and regulations on private sector businesses, further crippling the US job market

All of this nonsense was done against any wishes of Republicans - and during a time when Republicans had no say so at all in it. The health care law is a disaster - and President Obama and progressive Democrats did this all by themselves.

Watered down? What do you want? A federal government single payer system? Are you kidding? Have you ever had to deal with a non-responsive federal agency before? Do you really want the same compassionate (joking here) entity that gives us the IRS to run your health care? Americans are all about choice - do you really want zero choice for health care? Do you really want a health care system where you have no recourse if you don't like what the government gives you? Do you really want to be left at the mercy of a non-caring government (you are a number - that's all) for your health care? If you think private insurance providers are bad, you just wait. At least with them we have the option of leaving them and selecting another one.

I wish you well, but you really need to think this out.

[arthanyel]

Robala - false. Republicans blocked Obamas agenda from the beginning. The only time Democrats could override a Repulicans filibuster was - NEVER. For 35 days in 2009, IF they could get Lieberman to vote with them they could. The entire rest of the time they could not, and Repulicans set the record for most filibusters in history.

As for the health care law, the reason that "a majority of Americans don't want it" is because most of them would RATHER HAVE SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE, not because health care doesn't need reform. The statement that it costs 105B more per year is conservative propaganda, those costs were offset. And it imposes no massive increase on private enterprise as most business already provide health insurance.

[arthanyel]

by involved_indi October 28, 2011 11:33 PM EDT
arthanyel... did you actually type that last comment with a straight face? Obama has run up more debt in 30 months than everyone else combined has in over 200 years.


Complete conservative propaganda, 100% fact free. Obama hasn't even run up as much debt as Bush alone, and when he was elected thanks to Republicans and the meltdown tha occurred before he was elected the STRUCTURAL deficit was over $1.1T. Given that the vast majority of the deficit prior to Bush was also incurred by Republicans, you cold make the argument that Obama is responsible for about 1T and Republicans are responsible for 13T.

[arthanyel]

Not to mention that if you are being truthful, no President has ever incurred a dime of debt since all spending and taxation bills are authored and passed by Congress.

[smartasss1]

Bush spent 600 Billion to build democracy in Iraq. Bush's doubled our national debt from 5 trillion to 10 trillion. It is also in Bush's watch that our economy crashed. Obama is just fixing his mess. Obama would not even need to spend the 550 Billion for stimulus if Bush and the GOP did not create this recession.

The Obama Job stimulus is mostly 1/3 tax cuts, 1/3 state support, 1/3 infrastructure projects. What is so wrong about that? Giving back money to state governments seems logical. Infra-structure projects is fine too. We need to upgrade our roads and bridges anyway. Might as well do it now when we need the jobs. At least the stimulus goes to American roads and not Iraqi roads.