"Advisers"

It is a standard ploy of the "big guys" in the Washington zoo scene to set up businesses in which they "advise" and make introductions but avoid having to register as lobbyists so that they can answer the "are you a lobbyist" question without flinching. Cohen, Kissinger, Scowcroft, Mcfarland (remember him) are all in this business as are a host of others. I am no "fan" of Gingrich but fair is fair. pl

Comments

[William R. Cumming]

There is a huge Washington legal establishment lawyering the avoidance of lobbyists having to register. And in fact there are many indications that lobbying registered or not well exceeds the income of the more traditional legal practioners. Last I checked any kind of fee splitting arrangements between lawyers and non lawyers violate the Cannons of Professional Ethics and the lawyer's Code of Professional Responsibility. So how does this happen? Foxes in charge of chicken coop security. The legal profession is not what it used to be anywhere but in particular in DC should be called the Illegal Lobby!

[ked]

We have so few opportunities to provide direct negative feedback to the lobbying system, the kind of behaviors it generates, & players like Newt - any kind of political hammering they get whenever they come within range of the great unwashed electorate is fine by me... & fair.

[Fred]

"Newt Gingrich said on Wednesday night that his advocacy with state and federal legislators for policies that would help his paying clients was in keeping with his role as a citizen…"

My, my he would have done this all for free? That must mean that the CEO's of those companies that paid him millions have wasted their shareholder's money in violation of their fiduciary duties. Eric Holder are you listening???? How about all of you board members on the compensation committee's) who give those hefty salaries, options and bonuses to for (not) following fiduciary duties or providing leadership? Or perhaps the folks inside the beltway would just like to borrow my shovel so they can heap some more bulls*%$ our way?

[William R. Cumming]

To the extent public looking like none of Newt's businesses have outside directors. Several are non-profit tax exempt orgs prohibited from lobbying.

[optimax]

Newt's ability to regenerate politicaly is salamander like. It's his turn to lead poor Mitt.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kk0uDsk0A4/Ttd-s41brCI/AAAAAAAAWj0/KazmfaOqk58/s1600/romney_medicine_show.jpg

[William R. Cumming]

Nixon had several comebacks. Is "redemption" an operative philosophy with NEWT? He does differ from Romney in one very important respect he does understand the levers of power (for good or bad) in Washington. Perhaps even better than President Obama.

As I personally believe self control is one of the major litmus tests for a general or President believe NEWT fails but hey he does another face to the roster of those who avoided active service did he not? Like VP Cheney had better things to do? And the many heads of STATE hugged or kissed by President Obama probably not happy to have the same from NEWT.

The contract with America developed by Newt makes interesting reading given his rise in the polls.