Billionaires Keeping Struggling Lobbyists Afloat

Billionaires Keeping Struggling Lobbyists Afloat

Tuesday, 09 Sep 2014 12:35 PM

By Andrea Billups

http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/lobbyists-Sheldon-Adelson-William-Ackman/2014/09/09/id/593509/

Two billionaires are credited with hiring legions of lawmakers and lobbyists who are keeping sagging K Street coffers filled, an analysis by Politico has found.

The political spending rescue has come from Sheldon Adelson, whose fortune is in casinos and who is fighting to end online gambling, and William Ackman, who runs Pershing Square Capital Management and who has gone after the nutrition supplements company Herbalife.

The wealthy duo's cash injection — close to $4 million poured into direct lobbying — has brought millions to the table as consultants and lobbyists mount fights in Washington on behalf of their personal interests, Politico found.

"It shows that rich guys with pet projects are getting pretty sophisticated when it comes to pushing their agendas, and it’s pretty easy to do with enough money," Public Campaign's Adam Smith told Politico.

The infusion is badly needed. In 2013, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, K Street spending hit its lowest numbers since 2007, dropping by about 3 percent to $3.2 billion.

The number of lobbyists also dipped to 12,281 — the lowest on record since 2002, CNBC reported.

Notables on Adelson's payroll for his Sands Casino in Las Vegas include two former lawmakers: Democrat Blanche Lincoln, who served in the Senate, and Connie Mack, who served in the House, Politico reported. A nonprofit Adelson started called the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling also employs George Pataki, the former governor of New York.

Ackman has hired, among several others, former Obama associates Bill Burton and Jim Papa for his efforts against Herbalife.

Noted Politico of their investment: "Longtime K Street watchers aren’t surprised by the spending spree. Ackman and Adelson have needed to hire so many firms because in Washington inertia and resistance to change are always easier than getting something done."

Center for Responsive Politics

Joyce Foundation was a funder for the Center for Responsive Politics.

Note: Valerie B. Jarrett was a director at the Joyce Foundation, is the senior adviser for the Barack Obama administration, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Barack Obama is the president for the Barack Obama administration, and was an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.

Joseph R. Biden Jr. is the vice president for the Barack Obama administration, and Alan L. Hoffman was his deputy chief of staff.

Alan L. Hoffman was the deputy chief of staff for Joseph R. Biden Jr. for the Barack Obama administration, and is the president of global corporate affairs for Herbalife, Ltd.

Herbalife, Ltd. is a subsidiary of Herbalife International, Inc.

Sidley Austin LLP was the lobby firm for Herbalife International, Inc., and is the lobby firm for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (Big Pharma).

Michelle Obama was a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.              

Newton N. Minow is a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

R. Eden Martin is counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and the president of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

James S. Crown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Lester Crown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Michael R. Klein is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), and a co-founder & chairman for the Sunlight Foundation.

Sunlight Foundation was a funder for the Center for Responsive Politics.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank), the Sunlight Foundation, ProPublica, the Center for American Progress, the Human Rights Watch, and the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, was a supporter for the Center for American Progress, and a benefactor for the Human Rights Watch.

Ellen S. Miller is a co-founder & executive director for the Sunlight Foundation, an advisory board member for ProPublica, and the founder of the Center for Responsive Politics.

Marion O. Sandler was a funder for ProPublica, and a director at the Center for American Progress.

Gara LaMarche was a director at ProPublica, and an associate director at the Human Rights Watch.

William A. Burton is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and was the deputy press secretary for the Barack Obama administration.

Karen Ackman is a director at the Human Rights Watch, and married to William A. Ackman.

William A. Ackman is married to Karen Ackman, and a managing member for Pershing Square Capital Management, LP.

Pershing Square Capital Management, LP was a contributor for the Center for a New American Security.

Michele A. Flournoy is the CEO for the Center for a New American Security, and was the under secretary of defense for the Barack Obama administration.

Barack Obama is the president for the Barack Obama administration, and was an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.

Joseph R. Biden Jr. is the vice president for the Barack Obama administration, and Alan L. Hoffman was his deputy chief of staff.

Alan L. Hoffman was the deputy chief of staff for Joseph R. Biden Jr. for the Barack Obama administration, and is the president of global corporate affairs for Herbalife, Ltd.

Herbalife, Ltd. is a subsidiary of Herbalife International, Inc.                                    

Sidley Austin LLP was the lobby firm for Herbalife International, Inc., and is the lobby firm for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (Big Pharma).       

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP is the lobby firm for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (Big Pharma).           

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP, an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle, a director at the American Friends of Bilderberg (think tank), and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank

Cyrus F. Freidheim Jr. is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Valerie B. Jarrett is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the senior adviser for the Barack Obama administration, her great uncle is Vernon E. Jordan Jr., and was a director at the Joyce Foundation.

Joyce Foundation was a funder for the Center for Responsive Politics.

Sunlight Foundation was a funder for the Center for Responsive Politics.