Lobbyists Wonder If They'll Be Included in Obama Inaugural Fun
Seems like the entire country is anxiously awaiting details of Barack Obama's inaugural festivities, including Washington lobbyists who aren't quite sure how they'll fit into the picture.
"The No. 1 question on K Street and beyond is: what's the structure going to be this time around for underwriting the inaugural balls?" says Tom Jolly, a veteran Democratic lobbyist, who, like every other "L Word" in town, was as shunned as Hester Prynne by the Obama presidential campaign.
Jolly tells the Sleuth he has clients who are longtime Democratic donors who have already made their travel arrangements to come to Washington to celebrate on Jan. 20, but they have no clue how to go about getting tickets to the balls. "There's a lot of anxiety right now," Jolly told us, expressing hope that since "so far Team Obama seems to have everything else right" they'll pull through on inaugural organization.
But it's unclear whether Jolly and rest of his ilk will find themselves standing out in the cold on inauguration night wearing their scarlet letter Ls, peering in the windows as the non-lobbyists celebrate history.
After all, Obama prohibited lobbyists from participating in his presidential campaign -- including donating money. And on Tuesday, the president-elect's transition chief, John Podesta, announced tough restrictions on the role lobbyists can play in the transition. But he declined to say what role they may or may not play in the inauguration. ("We'll have more to announce at a later point," he said.)
Traditionally, inaugural celebrations have been feeding frenzies for lobbyists looking for an in with the new administration. Lobbyists typically help raise money to throw lavish balls and, therefore, scoop up plenty of tickets for their corporate clients.
Two days before George W. Bush's second inauguration in 2005, for example, lobbyists had contributed $400,000 of the $24.9 million collected by that point for inaugural events, according to the watchdog group Public Citizen. The group projected it to be the most expensive inauguration in history. And lobbyists helped raise enough dough to hold an unprecedented 14 balls for the second inaugural of one William Jefferson Clinton.
Podesta's brother, Tony Podesta, is among those lobbyists who professes not to know whether he'll be allowed to help raise money for Obama's inaugural celebration. But he doesn't hold out much hope.
"The Obama campaign has indicated they don't want help from registered lobbyists," he said. "So I doubt they're suddenly going to have a sharp U-turn at this point."
Easy for him to say, his brother is running the show. (Tony says if brother John "wants to take me as his date to the ball instead of his wife, I'd love to go.")
But no one expects lobbyist restrictions will put a damper on Obama-palooza. The party will go on. And, as always, there'll still be plenty of corporate schmoozing to be had, recession or no recession. Scott Talbott, chief lobbyist for the Financial Service Roundtable, which represents banks and other corporations, tells us his members are still planning to throw cocktail receptions all over town and fully expect to don their tuxedos and ball gowns.
"A celebration of the inauguration is a business opportunity," he said. "There's a lot of business done at these celebrations."
And how will companies that just got federal money in the financial bailout justify their inaugural party budgets? "They'll be more subdued, more business-like," Talbott says.
By
Mary Ann Akers
|
November 13, 2008; 7:00 AM ET
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Posted by: DCsolah | November 13, 2008 11:48 AM | Report abuse
I am planning a trip to the inauguration on January 20. How can I get a couple of tickets to one of the balls?
Posted by: thomasj2 | November 13, 2008 12:17 PM | Report abuse
Given the current economic situation it might be prudent to have one inaugural ball or party. Make it known that any other celebrations are unofficial and will not be attended by the incoming administration. Limit tickets to the official celebration to staff, campaigners and members of congress (and spouses or significant others). Make it a smaller celebration that acknowledges the reality of many people's economic situation. If they wanted to get really classy, they could forgo the party and donate the money that would have been spent on it to charities that help those in need. Since that will never happen, I would love to see the very, very limited ball.
Posted by: puppiesandkitties | November 13, 2008 12:45 PM | Report abuse
"The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget."
Posted by: diana9 | November 13, 2008 3:47 PM | Report abuse
Why not offer assistance for all who donated to Pres. Elect Obama's campaign. Get them to the parade and the swearing in ceremony. I for one would love to go! Forget the expensive balls and hoopla. Let this be a celebration of, for, and by the people.
Posted by: nwsjnky1 | November 13, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
It would certainly be a wonderful change if lobbyists were told directly that they are not welcome at any inaugural celebration. That includes, of course corporation owners and heads. They are always looking for a 'deal'. Sure hope that that is one of the changes planned ! No more Corporation U.S.A. in the White House or Congress !
Posted by: donald_mcmunn | November 14, 2008 3:00 AM | Report abuse
I think Obama Palooza could have a lottery type deal for all the supporters who volunteered during his campaign. Buy a lottery ticket with numbers on it for $20 bucks. Winner gets two tickets that includes travel/hotel. And another for the inauguration ball. (is that legal?)
Posted by: nielsendeedee | November 14, 2008 6:09 AM | Report abuse
"The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget."
Posted by: diana9 | November 14, 2008 3:31 PM | Report abuse
www.need4trth.blogspot.com
Lobbyist know that in Obama they do not have a friend. He ran his campaign with the money of the average voter who decided they couold trust him to lead our country into the change we need. One of his very first premises was that lobbyist were running Washington and that we had to take our power back from them. Obama hasn't even taken a seat in teh Oval office and you right wing nut jobs are already at it. Assumptions...make an a--hole out of you and me
Posted by: need4trth | November 15, 2008 1:53 PM | Report abuse
"The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget."
Posted by: diana9 | November 17, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
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Another feel-good story about the post-Bush era of politics. I would love to see Obama do something dramatic related to inaugural balls, perhaps limiting them to political office-holders and those directly involved with his campaign--leave all those looking for political (and $700B) handouts out in the cold. Another 'for the people' party on the National Mall (similar to Clinton's approach in 1993) would be welcome as well.