INFLUENCE GAME: Romney advisers' interests emerge

seattlepi.com (AP) ^ | 10/14/2011 | STEPHEN BRAUN, Associated Press

[PieterCasparzen]

Some foreign policy experts who joined Mitt Romney's campaign have lobbying and business backgrounds that could shape the advice they give to the Republican presidential candidate. Their interests include lobbying against cuts in U.S. aid to Pakistan and ties to defense companies with government contracts for cybersecurity, Navy shipbuilding and ballistic missile interceptors — all issues that Romney has cited in recent

...

Former Minnesota Congressman Vin Weber, named last week as a special adviser to Romney on foreign policy, lobbied this year for the Council on Pakistan Relations, a U.S.-based support group trying to stave off reduced economic aid to Pakistan in the wake of eroding diplomatic relations with the U.S.

Weber said he would have no problem distinguishing his campaign role from his job as managing partner of the Clark & Weinstock lobbying firm, which was paid $50,000 so far this year by the Pakistani-American group. The campaign said it would rely on Romney's judgment in scrutinizing policy advice.

...

Weber was overall policy chairman for Romney's 2007 presidential run and is expected to play a key policy role again this year. A GOP presidential campaign veteran who has mixed his post-Congress lobbying career with senior positions in the presidential campaigns of John McCain, George W. Bush and Bob Dole, Weber said his past expertise allows him to navigate any potential conflicts.

...

The Council on Pakistan Relations bills itself as "a lobbying and advocacy organization whose mission is to impact U.S. policy towards Pakistan."

...

The group has often advocated in Congress for positions and funding requests pressed by Pakistan's government. When Pakistani officials complained about congressional threats to slash aid following the U.S. raid to kill Osama bin Laden, the council echoed that pressure. On July 21, the group complained about cuts in foreign aid

...

[PieterCasparzen]

Vin Weber (wow, another former Congressman) was also hired by Freddie Mac as part of the same campaign that Newt Gingrich was "consulting" for them on.

That campaign was reportedly where Newt's role was to come up with a list of potential Republican supporters of Freddie Mac, as well as written material that could be circulated amongts conservatives.

But that's just consulting, coming up with the marketing collateral and the prospect list, but not actually lobbying.

Nice to see Romney is probably hiring all the same lobbyists.

[ncalburt]

Odd, you take a mitten post and try to smear newt with it.
Your real busy astroturfing against Newt here ?
Who do you work for??????

[Diogenesis]

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Weber is tied to Sharia, Romney, Obama, and IAG.

He has LONG been tied to Romney and antiIsraeli efforts,
and apparently NOT Mr. Gingrich, except in your smear.

---

Vin Weber Joins Romney Campaign
Weber was known among Republicans to be struggling with his decision in recent months.
In that time, he was among a number of party establishment types
that Romney has assiduously courted for a potential braintrust."

---

An Interview with Romney Advisor Vin Weber
Weber also believes that “executive competency” is key
and that it is vital to nominate someone who “actually ran” something,
pointing to Romney’s experience running a business
and the Olympics as well as serving as Governor for Massachusetts."

---

WSJ on Romney's Vin Weber Acquisition
"Romney’s gain. That’s how Republican insiders were interpreting the surprise
decision of former Minnesota Rep. Vin Weber,
to sign up this time with Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign team
as policy chairman."

---

“Apr 22, 2009 ... Disclosure forms show that Weber represents the controversial AIG insurance giant"

---

"Top 20 Recipients of AIG Contributions in 2008"

"Weber said, as he did on many of these topics,
that he favors the approach (of Obama).
Former Sen. George Mitchell is a great choice for special envoy.
Obama has "drawn a line in the sand" by declaring U.S.
opposition to any expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a hard-liner
with even more hard-line elements of his coalition who may bolt at any sign of retreat."

[PieterCasparzen]

Look up the Nov 15, 2011 article on bloomberg - Vin was hired by Freddie Mac on the same project that Gingrich was hired for.

It is not a smear if it’s a published news story in a credible news source.

This is what I’m saying, though, all these Republican so-called establishment types are in with islam and big-government, crony deals, etc., up to their eyeballs.

I’m just reporting what I’ve seen, the stories are starting to bounce around the web.

Us “little people” keep looking for and “outsider”, and it’s... well...it’s “fat chance”.

Repubs are just a different flavor of Democrats.

I’m just hoping and praying that Bachmann is clean enough, I think she is, and I think Santorum is. I’m not saying 100% perfect, but clean enough that they’re not completely in the tank for dozens or hundreds of groups.

Just take a look at opensecrets.org and track down their contributing companies.

And please don’t tell me I’m smearing... If I said he was fat and ugly, or mean, I’m smearing. If it’s just stories from news sources, it is what it is. If every news source reports the same relationships, are they lying ? Making up a relationship ? Come on guys, we get to pick a CONSERVATIVE candidate this time. We do not have to pick the establishment guys.

A superconservative can win. Every time Repubs get scared at the end and choose the “electable” guy he loses anyway. When the consistent conservative gets in, things can change a little bit in the right direction.