Has President Obama broken his promise not to take money from lobbyists?
Technically, no; in spirit, perhaps.
A New York Times investigative story published Friday reveals that at least 15 of Obama's key financial backers are involved in lobbying activities. But they're not registered as lobbyists with the Senate, allowing the Obama campaign to deny it has violated the pledge. Called "bundlers" because they raise money for the campaign as well as giving their own, these supporters have brought in upwards of $5 million so far.
The Times makes the case that their efforts on Obama's behalf undercut the president's battle against lobbyist influence:
Registered or not, the bundlers are in many ways indistinguishable from people who fit the technical definition of a lobbyist. They glide easily through the corridors of power in Washington, with a number of them hosting Mr. Obama at fund-raisers while also visiting the White House on policy matters and official business. …
Take Sally Susman. An executive at the drug-maker Pfizer, she has raised more than $500,000 for the president's re-election and helped organize a $35,800-a-ticket dinner that Mr. Obama attended in Manhattan in June. At the same time, she leads Pfizer's powerful lobbying shop, and she has visited the White House four times since 2009 — twice on export issues. But under the byzantine rules that govern federal lobbying, Ms. Susman has not registered with the Senate as a lobbyist.
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