Lobbyists need not apply

Posted by Frank James at 5:01 pm CST

A small item in The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire caused a serious double-take. It reported that Washington lobbyists were helping the Congressmen in the race for House Majority Leader.

This was intriguing. With the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal yet swirling around the capital and talk of lobbying reform all the rage, it suggested members of Congress still didn't get it.

Given all the controversy over the impact of lobbyists on the legislative process, how could lawmakers allow them to help determine who would replace Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in that important post? In the midst of the lobbying scandal, were lobbyists really meeting with or making calls to Republican House members and making the case for this or that of K St.'s favored candidates.

It turns out that's not what's going on, at least so say staffers in the offices of representatives Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and John Boehner (R-Ohio), the two leading contenders to replace DeLay. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) is also in the race but is the dark horse.

"No lobbyist has been asked to play any specific role," said Don Seymour Jr., Boehner's press secretary. "In fact, most have been asked not to be involved.

"We've been getting emails and calls from people all across town ever since the race began," Seymour continued. "In just about every case we've turned them down. That's not to say some haven't taken it upon themselves to do things and that they might be helpful without us asking them to do so but we've discouraged it."

"That's not to say there's been no communication with lobbyists during the race.," Seymour said. "There has been. But even those who are personal friends with John have been told point blank John has to win this on his own."

Both Boehner and Blunt's staffers say their bosses are relying on their paid staff as well as House members who have already pledged their allegiance to one or the other.

"Congressman Blunt is running his race for majority leader on his own with the help of a few staffers and is not in any way working with people on the outside to garner support," said Jessica Boulanger, a Blunt spokeswoman. "I can only assure you that he's speaking to directly to members and making his case to colleagues."

One lobbyist, speaking not for attribution, said "I would not be calling a member. It's just not something any lobbyist who has a half a brain should be doing."

Of course, there's the potential for negative fallout if the candidate the lobbyist supported loses, she said.

But she also thought such a move risked turning lawmakers off. "Members votes are pretty dang sacred," she said. "I think they would probably resent anybody but the candidate themselves asking for their support."