Leon Panetta: Lobbyist “Lite”

Oh, Barack Obama has made it ever so clear that if you’ve been a lobbyist, you can’t serve him in a position/area where you conducted lobbying. The Obama perception of “what a lobbyist is” evokes misty Clinton memories of “what is is”. Ah, nostalgia, and deja vu…you get it all with the current “Clinton 3.0″ staff mashup. Obama’s nominee for the Director of the CIA, Leon Panetta, served as White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton.

After Clinton, Panetta set off on a Daschlesque “consulting for lobbyists” career, where he wasn’t an officially registered lobbyist, but, lets be real, the dude lobbied. And for some great causes, too! Panetta is up at bat tomorrow for his confirmation hearings, and had to rustle up some disclosure.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Panetta has earned more than $700,000 in speaking and consulting fees since the beginning of 2008, with some of the payments coming from troubled financial firms AND from a firm that invests in contractors for federal national security agencies. No potential conflicts-of-interest to see here, just move on along. It only SEEMS like being a real lobbyist. But Panetta isn’t a lobbyist. Technically.

Panetta received $56,000 from Merrill Lynch & Co. for two speeches and $28,000 for a speech for Wachovia Corp. His spokesman says Panetta “provided consulting services on port security issues and some labor issues” to the Pacific Maritime Association. Panetta is said to be “unaware” if his work was related to lobbying efforts by PMA in Washington that were described in public disclosure forms. Panetta reported receiving a $60,000 “Governmental Advisor Fee” from the PMA, which represents the shipping industry. The group lobbies the federal government regarding terrorism laws that affect shipping.

Regarding potential conflicts of interest involving his speaking fees from various firms, Panetta’s spokesman said, “All of his income and investments have been thoroughly reviewed by the Office of Government Ethics, and he will abide by whatever they require.” Whatever they require? This will from this point on be known as the “Daschle doctrine.” If “they require” you to fall on your sword because your BS isn’t selling, and Obama’s vetting process is the biggest joke in Washington, make sure it is sharp.

Fleishman Hillard, a large public affairs and lobbying firm, also paid Panetta $130,000 in director’s fees. Fleishman vice chairman Paul Johnson said Mr. Panetta advises firm clients on policy and economic issues but performs “absolutely no lobbying or government relations work.” Are any of you insulted yet? Because truthfully, Obama sincerely believes you will buy this crap.

Panetta reported receiving a $60,000 “Governmental Advisor Fee” from the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents the shipping industry. The group lobbies the federal government regarding terrorism laws that affect shipping.

Panetta also received $28,000 from the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm that owns companies doing business with national-security agencies of the U.S. government. Carlyle holds a majority stake in the government consulting arm of Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., which works for the CIA and other agencies. Still nothing to see here, folks. Keep moving.

Another of Panetta’s many sources of income was California State University, Monterey Bay, which hosts the Leon & Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy, a nonprofit foundation run by Mr. Panetta and his wife. The school paid Mr. Panetta $150,000 in “consulting fees.” Because the institute has his name on it.

So what it seems we have here are a bunch of lobbyist consultants, who clearly are as pure as the driven snow, and in NO WAY influence government machinations. And all the banks are making loans left and right, we have full employment, and the housing market never looked better. Aw, crap sandwiches again today?!

Share this Right Soup with others: