Vitter vs. Jindal The New Republic is out with an article about the two competitors for top dog in the Louisiana Republican Party. The bottom line: Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and Gov. Bobby Jindal respect each other, but don't really like each other. And the competition, for now, is favoring Vitter. The article notes that Jindal used a high-profile...
Vitter vs. Jindal
The New Republic is out with an article about the two competitors for top dog in the Louisiana Republican Party. The bottom line: Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and Gov. Bobby Jindal respect each other, but don't really like each other. And the competition, for now, is favoring Vitter.
The article notes that Jindal used a high-profile speech at the Washington Gridiron dinner last March to poke fun at Vitter's 2007 admission of a "very serious sin" after his phone number appeared on the records of a Washington escort service. And that Vitter helped elect fiscal hawks to the state Legislature that have, at times, been thorns to Jindal's legislative agenda.
"What makes their rivalry particularly noteworthy is that Vitter -- who has been the butt of many more and much better jokes than Jindal's -- may now be more popular and influential in the Louisiana Republican Party," the New Republic wrote in its edition marked July 15.
"This doesn't just testify to Vitter's underrated political skills; it also pulls back the curtain on Jindal's overrated ones. While Jindal was traveling the country, giving speeches on fixing the Republican Party and stoking presidential and vice presidential speculation, Vitter, who once seemed so isolated and politically vulnerable, was quietly and carefully courting influence in the state GOP."
You can read the article at http://www.newrepublic.com. But warning: You'll need a paid subscription to read the full posting.
Vitter and Fleming: God no reason to cut federal funding
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and Rep. John Fleming, R-Minden, are criticizing the Justice Department after it threatened to pull a $15,000 federal grant from a Bossier Parish youth program unless the sponsors agree to drop a voluntary prayer and a reference to God in the oath participants are required to declare.
The Bossier Parish Young Marines oath says participants agree "never to do anything that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my Country and its flag, my parents, myself or the Young Marines."
The Justice Department acted because of the Constitution's required separation between church and state, a spokesman told Bossier Parish reporters.
"It's deplorable that the administration is discriminating against this laudable program to help Louisiana youth just because they mention God," Vitter said. "The Department of Justice needs to take immediate action to fix this."
Less cash for lobbying
The Center for Responsive Politics is reporting that less money is being spent on lobbying. It noted that Patton Boggs LLP recently announced that 17 partners are leaving the firm and 65 lawyers and staff are being laid off. The firm, headed by Tommy Boggs, son of former Rep. Lindy Boggs and her late husband, former House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, has reported more revenue than any other lobbying shop since 2002, according to the center.
I think companies and interest groups are spending less money on lobbying for a number of reasons. One the economy has cut down on available cash for businesses and governments that tend to hire lobbyists.
But more importantly, given the current gridlock on Capitol Hill, it might seem unnecessary to hire a lobbyist to kill an unfavorable bill, or pass a law helpful to the bottom line, given that Republicans and Democrats are having a tough time passing even routine measures.
And the ban on earmarks in federal spending bills make it harder for even the most influential member to get a special provision benefiting a specific program or business.
Lobbyists still fill candidates' campaign coffers
Reduced lobbying spending doesn't mean lobbyists aren't continuing their status as among the top cash providers to congressional campaigns.
The Center for Responsive Politics recently came out with a list of the top 10 recipients of lobbyists' contributions for the 2014 congressional races.
The top recipient was Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who just won a special election to replace Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. Kerry is now the U.S. Secretary of State. Markey collected a cool $183,340, according to the center.
The No. 2 recipient is Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus, D-Mont., who recently decided he won't run in what would have been a tough re-election battle in 2014. But Baucus' committee during the next two years will determine whether tax reform, a priority both for the Obama administration and congressional Republicans, is enacted, and more importantly, what form it will take. Lobbyists No. 1 job for many clients is preserving their tax breaks.
Baucus took in $125,094, followed by Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., with $85,100 and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., with $84,700.
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., who is facing a tough 2014 re-election battle against Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and likely a few other candidates, rated No. 9 on the Center for Responsive Politics list, with $53,100 in lobbyist donations.