For Campaign Contributions by the Wheelbarrow, the Back Door Is Open

(By Larry Crowe -- Associated Press)

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But do not weep for the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group. As soon as word got out that the techies had dumped them, the senators were flooded with offers from drug companies, which happened to be the tech industry's mortal enemies on the patent bill.

No deals have been struck yet, I hear, but any retention of the senators by pharmaceutical companies will involve issues well beyond patents.

Hire of the Week

Lorraine A. Voles, until recently communications director for the congressional office of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), has joined Fannie Mae as a senior vice president.

The move is a reunion of sorts. Voles, who was communications director to Al Gore when he was vice president, worked previously at the public relations firm Porter Novelli. There, her boss was Charles V. Greener, who is now Voles's boss at Fannie Mae.

Greener had been the mortgage finance giant's senior vice president in charge of communications and is now chief of staff to Fannie Mae chief executive Daniel H. Mudd. Voles is taking his old job. Before he joined Porter Novelli, Greener was a spokesman for the Republican National Committee.

That's right: A former mouthpiece for Clinton and Gore is working quite happily for a former GOP spokesman -- for a second time. Only in Washington.

Please send e-mail to kstreet@washpost.com.

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