Airline Lobbyist's Job Is a Dogfight

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Among the latest hires: Democrat Kenneth Levine of Levine & Greelegs has been retained by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a private equity firm that wants to go public. Also, Bain Capital of Boston has added Public Strategies Washington, including Paul M. Snyder and Joseph P. O'Neill.

The two main honchos of private equity's defense are Republican fundraiser Wayne L. Berman of Ogilvy Government Relations and Kenneth B. Mehlman, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee who is now with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

It's almost easier to mention the people who are not on a private equity payroll. One of them is Grover G. Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, who -- for philosophical reasons -- is putting together an anti-tax-hike coalition to help the firms out.

But Norquist does not want to remain pro bono. "I would be delighted to have nice private equity people shower us with cash," he said. "You should probably put our address in the paper."

On the more threadbare side of the dispute, a couple of gadfly groups -- OMB Watch and Citizens for Tax Justice -- are forming their own coalition to try to shut down what they call the private equity firms' "tax loophole."

Let the games begin!

Please send e-mail tokstreet@washpost.com.

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