The Koch Brothers (mega _Billionaires_ who fund at least 60% of the Tea
party directly or though their subsidies) Tea Party is out to get the
status quo.... yeah, sure, John Bircher Billionaires out to make the
Elite rich accountable.
Have I got an sElection to sell you! (follow the money, what and how
much are the Koch Brothers going to make, is it more rape of the common
person or will they simple adsorb one of their competitors, you just
don't INVEST in Politics, and expect to not make a profit)
Scott
'Tea party' freshmen embrace status quo
After campaigning against D.C.'s ways, new Republican lawmakers
quickly turn to lobbyists and fundraisers.
by Kathleen Hennessey and Tom Hamburger, Washington Bureau
The Los Angeles Times
January 4, 2011
Reporting from Washington
The new class of Republican lawmakers who charged into office promising
to shun the ways of Washington officially arrives on Capitol Hill on
Wednesday. But even as they publicly bash the capital's culture, many
have quietly begun to embrace it.
Several freshmen have hired lobbyists — the ultimate Washington insiders
— to lead their congressional staffs. In the weeks leading up to
Wednesday's swearing-in, dozens of the newcomers joined other lawmakers
in turning to lobbyists for campaign cash. And on Wednesday,
congressional offices will be packed with lawmakers' relatives, friends,
constituents and lobbyists, all invited to celebrate the new Congress.
This picture of business-as-usual Washington clashes with the campaign
rhetoric of many newcomers, some who were propelled by support from the
anti-Washington "tea party" movement. It also muddles the image House
Republicans hoped to project as they took the helm this week. In
contrast to the public celebration thrown by Democrat Nancy Pelosi when
she became speaker four years ago, incoming House Speaker John A.
Boehner has tried to strike a subdued and earnest note as he takes up
the gavel.
So it raised eyebrows Tuesday when several House freshmen held a
fundraiser in a swanky Washington hotel. The event, organized in part by
California Rep.-elect Jeff Denham (R-Atwater), stood out as the
flashiest celebration of the new Congress.
"It's important. Without money, the machine doesn't move," said Javier
Ortiz, a GOP strategist and fundraiser, about the week's schedule of
fundraisers and other events. "No one should be surprised that newly
elected or long-serving members ask interested constituents and others
to support their campaigns by making donations."
Still, House leaders did not celebrate the Tuesday night fundraiser at
the W hotel. Boehner declined to attend. The offices of incoming
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Majority Whip-elect Kevin
McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) did not respond to requests for comments on the
event, though one of the hosts said McCarthy had committed to attend.
A thumping techno beat filled the barroom lobby of the W hotel as guests
entered for what was billed as a welcome party for the incoming freshman
class. The fundraising event was hosted by the New Majority PAC, a
committee formed in November by Denham, a former state senator from
California's Central Valley, as well as incoming GOP Reps. Steve
Southerland of Florida, Renee Ellmers of North Carolina, Robert Dold of
Illinois and Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee. Southerland, Ellmers, Denham
and DesJarlais all enjoyed tea party support.
Talking with reporters before the event, Denham said the political
action committee was formed to help make the freshman class of
Republicans "self-reliant so we will have all the funds we need to hold
our seats." He said the fundraiser, featuring country singer LeAnn
Rimes, was held to mark "an exciting time for our nation." He made no
apologies about the $2,500-per-ticket entry fee.
"Unfortunately, campaigns are expensive," he said. "We all know the
Democrats are out there raising money." He told reporters that he
expected "a number of tea party members" to attend.
Republicans and Democrats both have used the post-election season to
replenish campaign coffers. For instance, in late November, partners at
the Washington lobbying and law firm of DLA Piper helped co-host a
fundraiser for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) at a Capitol restaurant.
In the case of incoming Republicans, many have debt from tough election
battles. Some are working on "donor development" with events not billed
as fundraisers but intended to help the newcomers broaden their networks.
But at tony Washington clubs and restaurants — Charlie Palmer steakhouse
and Johnny's Half Shell oyster bar — the scene is far from the message
heard on the campaign trail.
On his campaign website, incoming Arizona Rep. David Schweikert promised
he would "be there to represent your interests, not big spending special
interests. I will push for common sense reforms in Congress that will
reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests."
Schweikert invited lobbyists to a debt-retirement fundraiser at the
National Republican Campaign Committee in early December. The suggested
contribution was $500 for an individual, $5,000 for a "benefactor."
His office did not respond to a request for comment.
Other incoming lawmakers have put lobbyists in charge of their
congressional offices, saying they hope to tap into years of experience
navigating the channels of power.
"The congressman always said his intention was to hire the most talented
people he could find that would help represent the people of Idaho,"
said Phil Hardy, a spokesman for Rep.-elect Raul Labrador. John Goodwin,
a staffer from the National Rifle Assn., met that description, Hardy said.
Incoming Reps. Joe Walsh of Illinois, Dold and Denham have each hired a
lobbyist in their offices.
Denham's new chief of staff, Jason Larrabee, served as a registered
lobbyist for California water districts and clean energy interests in
the past. He waved off complaints about new members hiring lobbyists and
said he was proud of his prior work.
"I did it. I enjoyed it and I am honored to have the opportunity to
work" for a new member on Capitol Hill, Larrabee said.
As a candidate, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin — who defeated longtime Sen.
Russell D. Feingold — blasted his opponent for being too close to a
union lobbyist. But after winning the Senate seat, Johnson appointed a
former lobbyist, Don Kent, as his chief of staff. Since 2008, Kent has
worked as a registered lobbyist for Navigators Global LLC. His clients
included Tyco International, United Parcel Service and CSX
Transportation. Johnson's office did not respond to a call for comment.
One tea party favorite, Sen.-elect Mike Lee of Utah, hired lobbyist
Spencer Stokes as his chief of staff. Lee explained that he and Stokes,
who represented software and healthcare interests, shared the goal of
more "limited federal government" in the future.
"He is a brilliant man," Lee told "Fox News Sunday" this week. "He
understands Utah politics and he understands Washington politics. And I
need a man like that to help me in Washington."
That explanation won't fly with some, particularly the more activist
members of the tea party movement who blame Washington insiders for the
growth of government.
"It's a huge red flag," said Everett Wilkinson, a tea party activist in
Florida. "I have been disappointed by several congressmen who are hiring
so-called 'experienced staff.' To me, that's a telling sign that we have
a pretty huge battle ahead of us. The good ol' boy Washington is alive
and kicking. We know that."
/Kim Geiger of the Washington bureau contributed to this report./
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-tea-party-20110105,0,4057564.story
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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