Lobbyists and Democrats

The Left (especially, though not exclusively) has turned the demonization of lobbyists into a very effective populist tactic for waging proxy wars against more fundamental disagreements.  That's an unfair demonization of much of what lobbyists do.   The problem is not the lobbying - which, remember, is a Constitutional Right, protected by the First Amendment - but the ability of government to bestow benefits, entitlements and favors.  That's a problem with government, not with the people who talk to it.   

Nevertheless, the proxy war against lobbying has been effective against Republicans, in particular.  So, while Democrats feign outrage for the cameras, this New York Times story makes some important points.  Highlights...

• "All told, 50 lobbyists reported contributions totaling more than $25,000 each in the first six months of the year. Nearly half, 24 of the 50, made more than 80 percent of their contributions to Democrats, while 16 gave more than 80 percent to Republicans."
• "About $1 million of the top lobbyists’ contributions, or 57 percent, went to Democrats, while $715,000, or 40 percent, went to Republicans."
• "Fourteen of the top 50 lobbyists made all their contributions to Democrats, while only four gave all their contributions to Republicans."
• "...Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, received nearly $50,000 from lobbyists, even though he says he does not want their money."

All worth bearing in mind when Democrats tell us about the new kind of politics.