Firm Finds Its Niche in Obscure Trade Associations

Snyder's office also conducts back-office functions for the Managed Funds Association, which represents one of the country's most controversial businesses -- hedge funds.

Snyder said he enjoys his new job and would recommend it to the next generation of Snyders. In the meantime, he has had to spend a lot of time just keeping his clients' acronyms straight.

What's Next? Ads in the Senate?

The campaign of Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Tex.) has asked the Federal Election Commission how far it can go to showcase its big donors.

Reyes, who chairs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is holding a fundraiser at a golf course in September. "One of the fundraising opportunities would be to sell a sponsorship for each of the eighteen holes," the campaign wrote the FEC.

In particular, Reyes's campaign said it wants to "sell the sponsorships to individuals and allow their corporations to be recognized." When it does so, it asked, "What wording" can it use?

The commission has not said. But here's my suggestion: "Hole 18 sponsored by Corporation X: We helped you, now it's your turn."

Hong Kong's Idea for K Street

Bernard C. Chan has an idea for you. Why not allow industries and professions to elect their own representatives to Congress?

Sound crazy? Well, it might be, but that's how it's done Hong Kong. Chan, president of Asia Financial Group, is the insurance industry's representative in Hong Kong's 60-member legislative council. He was chosen by the island nation's 200 insurance companies and was in Washington the other day singing the system's praises.

"It works," he said. "It provides a good balance."

Half the legislature is selected by popular vote, and the other half is chosen by "functional constituencies." For example, there are representatives from banking, real estate, accounting and teaching, and three delegates from labor unions.

Would such in-house lobbyists work in the U.S. Congress? "It's good for us, but I'm not so sure it's good for your system," Chan said after some serious thought.

He's probably right. So you can stop salivating now.

Family Values, Detroit Style

The recent fight over fuel efficiency standards in Congress included a surprise pleader on the side of the auto industry: the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition.

The coalition generally focuses on attacking gay rights initiatives and advocating against abortion. But it chimed in with a letter asking senators to oppose a measure that would mandate improved gas mileage for vehicles. The stated reason: family values, of course.

"Families with children need larger capacity vehicles to be available, safe, reliable, and affordable," the letter stated. "The extreme corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFÉ) standards being mandated on family cars like vans, minivans, SUVs and trucks will place an unnecessary and harmful burden on America's families."

Sheldon became infamous a couple of years ago when investigators discovered that disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff had enlisted his group, which opposes gambling, as part of a $2 million pro-gambling lobbying campaign. Sheldon said at the time that he could not recall receiving any money as part of the Abramoff effort.

In this instance, Sheldon declined to comment. "Unfortunately, no one is available to comment due to international travel," said April Waugh, the coalition's chief of staff.

Please send e-mail tokstreet@washpost.com.