The 4th Branch May Steer a New Course Come November

The Washington Post reports that K Street lobbying firms, trade associations, and corporate offices are anticipating that Republicans will lose a majority in at least one chamber of Congress, and are looking to hire more Democrat-friendly staff.  Some Democrats have claimed in recent years of being shut out of lucrative lobbying jobs on K Street, largely because of the efforts by Grover Norquist and ex-Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to strengthen Republican dominance over the lobbying profession (referred to as the “K Street Project”).

Many Democrats welcome the sea change in the lobbying profession.  James J. Blanchard, former Democratic governor of Michigan and a new chairman in the prominent lobbying law firm, DLA Piper Rudick Grey Cary LLP, said, “This is going to be a big Democratic year.”  Time will tell what this means for the public.  The Democrats are not immune to charges of ethics and lobbying abuses, as noted most recently by the investigation into ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D-La).