The New York Times reports on how, while Newt Gingrich may not have technically done lobbying, he did help connect companies who hired him with lawmakers:
In a variety of instances, documents and interviews show, Mr. Gingrich arranged meetings between executives and officials, and salted his presentations to lawmakers with pitches for his clients, who pay as much as $200,000 a year to belong to his Center for Health Transformation.
When the center sponsored a “health transformation summit” at the Florida State Capitol in March 2006, lawmakers who attended Mr. Gingrich’s keynote speech inside the House chamber received a booklet promoting not just ideas but also the specific services of two dozen of his clients. Executives from some of those companies sat on panels for discussions that lawmakers were encouraged to attend after Mr. Gingrich’s address.
Gerard White, president of Clearwave, which paid about $50,000 to become a center member, used the occasion to pitch his company’s system for managing patient medical data. “It was a way for companies who were part of Newt’s group to say to health officials in Florida, ‘Hey, here are some exciting things we’re doing,’ ” Mr. White said.
Full piece here.
How is connecting clients with legislators for a fee not lobbying?
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"An essential aspect of lobbying is the opportunity for a client to present its position to the right decision maker or policy advisor at the right time. Attorneys throughout Dow Lohnes, particularly those in the government relations practice, have developed relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, Congressional Committee staff, and senior officials and staff in the key departments and agencies that are critical to our clients’ businesses. Whether its meetings with the right people on Capitol Hill, at the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Education or other departments or agencies relevant to a client’s issue, Dow Lohnes has the experience and relationships to help our clients make their case."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseProfessor Newt can call it whatever he wants but does he really believe these organizations would have paid him a penny for his views of history if he hadn't been Speaker of the House? Newt is just another in a long line of people who make a handsome living by railing against their own profitable activities. Increasingly our elections are about whose network of cronies will benefit - not a very inspiring future.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe brilliant GOP seems determined to nominate the only candidate that would make Solyndra look innocent. How did Barry O. ever get to be so fortunate?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis strikes me as pretty weak gruel. Is Newt trading on his name and notoriety? Sure. Does Newt have a lot of contacts in the Florida State House? I don't know, but being U.S. House Speaker does not immediately translate into such contacts.
Generally, what people get annoyed about over lobbying by former government officials getting corporations, unions, special interest groups, etc. easy access to government officials that would otherwise not be available without that person's former government service. That doesn't seem to be the case here - or at least the evidence fairly weak.
Trading on one's fame is not really translate to the more deadly political sin of lobbying after leaving office.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGingrich is the epitome of crony capitalism.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGingrich is the GOP's Achilles' Heel in 2012. Nominate this warmed-over loser and national laughingstock of the '90s and we throw away our only chance to get rid of Obama before he has another 4 awful years.
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