Brody Mullins reports on lobbying in Washington.

It’s been a rough few years for lobbyists. They have been attacked by President Barack Obama. They have been targeted in corruption probes. And they have been hurt by the economy.

And many have decided they’re not going to take it anymore.

A record number of lobbyists have quit the business this year, according to a study released today.

About 1,400 lobbyists, or 8% of the industry, left in the three-month period ending June 30, according to a joint study of lobbying records by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics and OMB Watch. Typically, a few hundred lobbyists leave the business every quarter.

In all, there are still more than 11,000 lobbyists in Washington, according to records. That’s actually up 20% since 1998.

It’s impossible to know for sure the causes of the recent K Street retreat. But the study’s authors blame Obama’s new antilobbying rules. When Obama took office, he imposed a ban on registered lobbyists working in his administration. He has also barred lobbyists from lobbying the administration on certain topics.

As a result, it’s possible that many Democratic lobbyists have curtailed their lobbying activity in the hopes of landing a White House job down the road.

It’s also possible that there are just fewer lobbyists than there used to be because of the economy. When companies have to tighten their belts, they often cut down on the number of hired-guns in Washington.
 

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/11/02/lobbyists-quit-in-record-numbers/

"And Stay Out."

92% more to go.  The more leave, the better.

11,000 lobbyists...............damn....

He 's probably hiring them

Hey, I'll always give credit where credit is due. This is a good thing.

Thanks, Obama :)

Since no one asked the big question .. Which lobbyists quit? Other things to consider before getting too excited.. There is no point in paying to lobby things that you already have in your pocket.

I will be celebrating when they cut campaign contributions and rid the ability for big businesses to place corrupt politicians in office in the first place.

There should be no reason for  lobbyist to be able to be paid  for lobbying period.  As much as I want to see them go, I have to wonder if the true cause is they are simply not needed anymore when they have found better ways to do things. It makes more sense to put people in office who are looking out for your best interests rather than to try and bribe someone else to change their mind.. Maybe they finally accomplished exactly that.

Originally posted by deviliscious

Since no one asked the big question .. Which lobbyists quit? Other things to consider before getting too excited.. There is no point in paying to lobby things that you already have in your pocket.

I will be celebrating when they cut campaign contributions and rid the ability for big businesses to place corrupt politicians in office in the first place.

There should be no reason for  lobbyist to be able to be paid  for lobbying period.  As much as I want to see them go, I have to wonder if the true cause is they are simply not needed anymore when they have found better ways to do things. It makes more sense to put people in office who are looking out for your best interests rather than to try and bribe someone else to change their mind.. Maybe they finally accomplished exactly that.

Well, the only way to really solve the problem is to reduce the power of government to dispense favors. that's the only way to really reduce corruption.

However, a few less whores on K street is still a good thing for everyone, except the K Street pimps I suppose.

Originally posted by Fishermage

Originally posted by deviliscious

Since no one asked the big question .. Which lobbyists quit? Other things to consider before getting too excited.. There is no point in paying to lobby things that you already have in your pocket.

I will be celebrating when they cut campaign contributions and rid the ability for big businesses to place corrupt politicians in office in the first place.

There should be no reason for  lobbyist to be able to be paid  for lobbying period.  As much as I want to see them go, I have to wonder if the true cause is they are simply not needed anymore when they have found better ways to do things. It makes more sense to put people in office who are looking out for your best interests rather than to try and bribe someone else to change their mind.. Maybe they finally accomplished exactly that.

 

Well, the only way to really solve the problem is to reduce the power of government to dispense favors. that's the only way to really reduce corruption.

However, a few less whores on K street is still a good thing for everyone, except the K Street pimps I suppose.

Well let's take a closer look at what has just happened.. Chase and Goldmansachs were just given a ton of money and bought out much of their competition and other businesses with it ..  Pharma just closed a deal to keep their prices high, Specialist were just guaranteed a  raise.. why would they need lobbyists anymore? LOL! They already got what they wanted.
 

I think the " pimps" just found a way to get what they wanted without the "need" of paying lobbyists anymore.  They put the Whores out of work and replaced them with more efficient methods. LMAO!

 Exhibit A:

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8310588.stm

JPMorgan Chase Executive Admits that Bailout Will Be Used Not To Make New Loans But to Buy Other Companies

JP Morgan Chase, 25 Billion Bailout Recipient, to Spend 400 Million to Outsource Thousands of Jobs to India

Exhibit B:

Obama caught behind closed doors making deals with Big Pharma…

Good info Devil, much appreciated.  The problem these days is that because mainstream media isn't acting like watch dogs anymore, general public only knows what they show you on the surface.  But once you dig deeper, you find the uglies.  As usual, follow the money trails and you'll soon know why things happen and who was involved.

Sad thing is most general public won't even know about the things you linked in your post.

Well then I stand corrected. Obama, true to form, still sucks.

/hat tip to Devilicious

Originally posted by Sabiancym 

 

92% more to go.  The more leave, the better.

And those lobbyists who Obama appointed to his administration?