Media hypocrisy and lobbying

The Washington Times ^ | May 17, 2007 | Gary J. Andres

[neverdem]

What a difference an election makes. No one issued a memo or formal declaratory judgment, but guess what? It's now okay to meet with lobbyists again on Capitol Hill. They still can't buy a staffer a peanut butter sandwich and a Dr. Pepper, but K Street representatives have morphed from crooks to counselors, from the "culture of corruption" incarnate to strategic "stakeholders." Yes, influence peddlers are back in vogue in this city, at least according to the media.

    Let's be clear. No seismic shift in the actual work of these advocates occurred in the past few months, but the press coverage transformed. Media hypocrisy on the subject of lobbying has been breathtaking this year -- a clear double standard...

--snip--

    "If a comparable right-wing effort had been launched, the press coverage would have been suspicious, antagonistic, and uncompromising," they write. But these 2004 activities -- like Democrats working with lobbyists now -- are examples of what Messrs. Halperin and Harris call a "dog that didn't bark" story, revealing the media's cultural, ideological and personal sympathies. To their credit, these two veteran reporters nail it, "But disclaimers do not erase the fact that there often is a tilt to media assumptions -- most important, about which side gets the benefit of the doubt and which side gets roasted."

    So lobbyists are back in vogue, using their experience to help Democrats make better public policy and coordinate with critical stakeholder groups. It's all part of what now makes the dance of legislation swing more smoothly, successfully, and productively, according to today's media interpretation. Now that the Democrats are back in charge, "public spirited outside advocates" have expelled the "evil lobbyists," and the Circadian rhythms of this city hum with warm harmony. At least until the Republicans take over again.

[neverdem]

At least until the Republicans take over again.

That may be never if the current immigration bill from the Senate becomes law.