BrianGarst.com

CQ Politics thinks lobbyists are going to do just fine under an Obama administration:

“Folks like us have been constructive participants in good public policy making,” said Dutko CEO Mark Irion. “I do not believe this administration is not going to work with the community here that does the kind of things that we do.”

To the contrary, Irion said the Democratic party’s “predisposition to believing that government is part of the solution” is likely to generate “a lot more activity” for policy makers and lobbyists, alike.

Michael S. Ferrell, head of the legislative practice at Venable, agreed, saying the new administration’s desire to shift the country in a new direction is bound to create winners and losers. “And anytime there is a game of winners and losers people pick a side and they need a team,” Ferrell said.” That’s where the lobbying industry comes in, he added.

Bingo.  This idea that Obama is somehow going to end special interest politics is absurd.  We’ll see more money and influence peddling around Washington under Obama for one very simple reason: government will be involved in more aspects of our economy and our lives.  To quote David Boaz of the Cato Institute, “When you spread food out on a picnic table, you can expect ants. When you put $3 trillion on the table, you can expect special interests, lobbyists and pork-barrel politicians.”

The only sure way to reduce lobbying and special interest politics is to reduce the scope and power of the federal government.  Obama has not demonstrated an inclination to do either.

Barack Obama