Why Won't Chris Van Hollen Follow The Lead Of Senator Obama With Regard To Lobbyists?

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) Pledged Not To Accept Lobbyist Contributions.

Senator Obama: "We will not take a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACS - we're going to change how Washington works. They will not fund my party, they will not run our White House, and they will not drown out the voice of the American people when I am president of the United States of America." (Sunlen Miller, "Obama Commends DNC For Cutting Lobbyist Contributions," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, 6/5/08)

Congessman Van Hollen Made A Similar Promise To The American People To Break The Link Between Lobbyists And Legislators.

Rep. Van Hollen: "Last year, we promised to break the link between lobbyists and legislators here in Washington and to fundamentally change the way we do business." (Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Press Release, 9/14/07)

But To Follow Senator Obama's Lead And Follow Through On His Own Promise Would Force Van Hollen To Cut Old Ties:

Van Hollen Was Employed By Arent, Fox, Et. Al., A Powerful Lobbying Firm With Offices In Washington, DC, New York, And Los Angeles. Arent, Fox, et. al. has coincidentally been Van Hollen's single biggest contributor throughout his career. To date, Arent Fox has contributed over $100,000 to his congressional campaigns. (Center Fore Responsive Politics, http://www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 5/21/08)

In 2005, Van Hollen Even Helped Clients Of His Old Friends At Arent Fox With A Conflict Of Interest Case At NIH. "Scientists at the National Institutes of Health who are fighting new rules that would end their financial ties to the drug industry have hired, at a favorable rate, a law and lobbying firm that also represents the companies. The Washington firm they hired, Arent Fox, has ties to the industry that has been employing the moonlighting NIH scientists as consultants. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to Zerhouni asking him to delay implementation of all the new rules for at least three months. Van Hollen, whose district encompasses the NIH complex in suburban Bethesda, is a former Arent Fox partner." (David Willman, Scientists Add Clout in NIH Fight, The Los Angeles Times, 4/21/05)

Van Hollen Claims To Have Enthusiastically Endorsed Senator Obama For President: "Now is the time for all of us to come together. I enthusiastically support Senator Obama." ("Maryland Superdelegate Van Hollen Backs Obama," NPR Radio, npr.org, 6/5/08)

He Also Strongly Urged Senator Clinton To Make Clear Her Support For Senator Obama: "[Clinton] needs to make it clear she is fully behind Senator Obama." (David Nitkin, "Cardin, Van Hollen announce support for Obama," The Baltimore Sun, "6/4/08)

Despite His Strong Ties To Lobbyists, Van Hollen Should Consider Following His Own Advice Of Fully Supporting Senator Obama. "The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will not follow Barack Obama's lead when it comes to accepting campaign contributions from registered lobbyists. A DCCC spokesman said the committee will not ban lobbyist and special-interest PAC donations. "Campaign contributions to committees are transparent," said the spokesman, Doug Thornell." (Ryan Grim, "DCCC Won't Follow DNC's K Street Ban," The Politico's "The Crypt" Blog, 6/5/08)

Senator Obama: "I think it is important for us to send a message that the Democratic Party is serious about reducing the influence of special interests on the legislative process."(Jim Tankersley, "Lobby $ ban not for all Dems," Chicago Tribune "The Swamp" Blog, 6/5/08)

Paid For By Steve Hudson for Congress 2008