Sep 27, 2006 -- Democrats' Turn to Shakedown Lobbyists: Statement of J. Gerald Hebert, Executive Director, Campaign Legal Center

Yesterday, we released a statement chastising the GOP leadership over its Good Ol' Fashion Revival of the "K Street Project." That statement came on the heels of a report in Roll Call that House Republicans were meeting with as many as 200 lobbyists this week to warn them not to give to Democrats or face the consequences, in a Karl Rove-led shakedown.

Today, Roll Call reports that "[t]op Democratic House aides are rallying their friends on K Street to open their wallets one final time this week before party operatives scatter to the campaign trail." What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

It is troubling that to compete in the national political arena in the modern era compels both Republican and Democratic Party leaders to feed at the trough of the K Street lobbying crowd. But it should be of even greater concern to the American people that our elected representatives are essentially selling access to their offices to the highest bidder.

For payment of $500, a small amount for high-paid lobbyists but an amount most Americans can't part with, you get an evening with Leader Pelosi, who has tattooed the GOP leadership over the "culture of corruption" ever since the Abramoff-DeLay-Ney scandals broke. But what message does it convey to the American people when leaders in our two major parties make it clear to all who wish to have access to the Hill that you have to pay to play? One key lobbyist urged others to "dig deep and help."

Congress apparently feels that the American voters will let them off the hook for breaking their numerous promises to enact effective and meaningful lobbying and ethics reform this year. But even if true, leaders of both major political parties will eventually have to address the inherent corruption in our body politic: that whoever is in charge is beholden to the special interest groups who paid for them to be in charge. That "pay-to-play" mentality is what makes voters in our country so cynical about the political process, and they have every right to be.

The Roll Call story can be found here (subscription required).