K Street Confidential

Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, August 7, 2006 1:00 PM

K Street Confidential columnist Jeffrey Birnbaum was online to discuss what happens when business, politics and government collide.

Read today's story: Number of Black Lobbyists Remains Shockingly Low

A transcript follows.

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Jeffrey Birnbaum: Hi All,

Thanks for writing in.

My column this week about the dearth of African American lobbyists. But we can chat about all sort of Washington topics.

Send one, send many. I look forward to your questions.

Let's begin.

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Washington, D.C.: Interesting column today!

Lobbying seems like the ultimate "who you know" chess game where access is a privilege not granted so easily to anyone who wants to play. For communities/industries that are grossly under-represented in Congress, how do they begin to break into lobbying to add another voice to the political process?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thanks.

I don't have a good answer to the question: How does this situation with black lobbyists get better?

It's a mess, that's for sure. There are far too few African Americans in the lobbying game.

If experience in other businesses is any guide, however, corporations and other potential employers must reach out actively to hire minority employees.

That's right. There have to be internship programs, special education programs and even scholarships. Lawmakers in Congress also have to think harder and work harder to hire blacks. Taht would increase the pool of potential lobbyists in the future.

But none of this will change matters quickly, that's for sure.

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Washington, D.C.: Thanks for doing these chats! Why do you think that the GOP is getting crushed in fundraising recently and why don't they utilize 527's, like the Democrates have?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: These are two of the best questions I've gotten in a long while.

Democratic congressional committees are outpacing their GOP counterparts in fundraising, but Republican groups and individuals otherwise are maintaining their usual leads. The reason the House and Senate committees for the Dems are doing so well, I guess, is that there's a better-than-usual chance that the Democrats could take control of the House in November. A senate takeover is also possible but not likely. In any case, money tends to flow to the winners, or at least to the potential winners in politics.

As for 527s, corporations, which supply a lot of the Republican money, are loath to donate to any entities that are on shakey legal ground. And these independent organizations fall under that description. Court cases and regulatory questions have made contributions to 527s iffy and business executives tend to stay away in those cases. A lot of the Democratic 527 money is coming from billionaires who are much less risk-averse, and from labor unions, which tend to have the same attribute.

Hope this helps.

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Sanibel, Fla.: Jeff:

Good column. And I'm glad you mentioned Fred McClure, originally from John Tower's staff, who became the first African-American to head up the White House lobby operation for Bush I. Fred's a real pro. I think you covered perfectly all of the reasons why it hasn't happened.

Now, as to PoliticaMoneyLine being acquired by CQ, that's a natural fit. When will DC lobbying, CQ and others make the connection with website lobbying as well? "Net neutrality" (phones and cable) finally has.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Many thanks, Sanibel.

Web site lobbying has been a vastly growing part of the game and I've tried to write about it regularly. I guess you're telling me it's time for me to write about it again. Okay, then, I will!

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Washington, D.C.: Where can one learn more about the appropriate steps for becoming a congressional aide and lobbyist? It would also be useful to have an idea of the salary ranges for both. Thank you.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Well, on salary, there's a much bigger range than you might imagine. Or so I'm told.

Low level lobbyists for nonprofit, do-gooder groups make very little money. I know we hear about million-dollar lobbyists, but, in fact, there aren't too many of those and they tend to be the most experienced in the industry.

All of the major universities that ring D.C., and are in it, have lobbying programs, I believe. Two places to find out more about these programs are the Bryce Harlow Foundation and the American League of Lobbyists. Just google them, call them, and I'm sure you'll get a lot of information. I actually teach regularly at American University's version of a lobbying program.

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Los Angeles, California: Hello,

A couple of months ago I met a man who was promoting an interesting jobs program for African American men and women.

This man sid he had developed a program when he ran for Congress in 2004. I remember his name and that he said that Congressman John Conyers thought it was a very good outline.

His name was Jeff Fisher.

Do you know anything about the relationship between Mr.Fisher, the NAACP and John Conyers? I have done considerable research and I think you might be interested.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I don't anything about this topic but would be glad to hear more. Please send it to kstreetconfidential@washpost.com

Thanks.

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Washington, D.C.: Why don't we read more about 527 and trade groups that raise millions of dollars to help shape elections?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Oh, I bet you'll read plenty about those topics as the election nears. Independent groups will probably pour a lot more money into the close congressional contests than the candidates themselves. Stay tuned!

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cmason: Do African-American lobbyists primarily work to lobby to effect changes that ultimately impact the Black Community?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Some do but by no means all. Most, in fact, lobby on the kinds of topics that white people do, or so I'm told. It's just that African Americans often find themselves lobbying on social issues more than corporate ones, which is another type of discrimination, in my estimation.

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Washington, D.C.: I have a comment re: the "regret that blacks are often directed into social policy rather than corporate-type lobbying roles." I do research and "lobbying" - - although I believe we call it advocacy when, among other things, you're not required to be registered - - on local policy issues. If the desired goal is to have a significant representation of African Americans who work in jobs that influence government, I think counting only registered (corporate) lobbyists misses the point. All year long, I am at the bargaining table, influencing the development of the laws, programs, and priorities that shape this city. I have to come to that bargaining table just as armed with research and data packaged just as persuasively to protect the interests of the people I'm there to represent. The fruits of my labor and that of my colleagues are often, in fact, covered in this very publication. I wonder if you'd get a different picture if you also looked at those of us who do the work but call ourselves "advocates" instead of "lobbyists."

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Two comments:

First, I think that lobbying laws are ridiculously lenient about who should register and who shouldn't. You are a lobbyist and I would call you one in my stories, though clearly the government doesn't make you register.

Second, I assume that the proportion of registered-to-nonregistered lobbyists is roughly the same for whites as it is for blacks. Therefore, the problem is equally bad no matter how you define it: lobbying or advocating.

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20036: What do you think Bob Ney's chances are in the lobbying world? (Assuming of course that he doesn't end up doing his lobbying from San Quentin.)

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I am always amazed at how financially well off people who leave government under a cloud can be. I would not be surprised to see Bob Ney double or triple his government salary as a lobbyist if he chose to become one. Then again, he does face a serious federal investigation and until that is resolved one way or the other he probably won't be able to make the big bucks.

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Washington, D.C.: One reason for the lack of black lobbyists is the assumption by K Street folks that black people only know other blacks, and thus the full measure of your possible influence is limited to the Congressional Black Caucus. African Americans seeking business in both lobbying and national politics get this all the time.

Yet, junior staffers for senior white congressmen who only have access to that particular member routinely get sweet deals after serving only a few years. It's an insider's racket, period.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thank you for your insight on this. I know that there are bunches of people in town whose job is the care and feeding of the Congressional Black Caucus. But it seems to me it would be shameful if black lobbyists were thought to be useful for only that purpose. That is the central message of my column this week.

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DC - lobbying: You have to go deeper than lobbying to see how African Americans (and other minorities for that matter) continually get the shaft in senior political positions on the Hill and off. Media consulting is another key area. Though the minority vote is almost always considered key in major elections, Black consultants often only get to do the ad buys for creative done by majority agencies. And then, only for the two weeks prior to an elction for get out the vote efforts.

So think about that in terms of profit,particualrly in a presidential primary campaign. While a perennial loser like Bob Shrum gets to make millions doing ads in Iowa and around the nation, a black consulant gets only to do a but for South Carolina for two weeks on black radio and in black newspapers. I've done it -- total cost of the buy? About 10 grand.

Wonder why no black Jim Carvilles and Frank Greers? No money to be made.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Now there's a dollar and cents example.

But you're right in general. I don't know very many media consultants who are African American. I guess that's an extension of the same problem faced by lobbyists, yes?

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Washington, D.C.: Other than the expensive Hotline, what are other free sources of information that you follow on a daily basis?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: There are many many.

Opensecrets.org and a lot of politicalmoneyline.com.

The place to find lots of free Web sites on politics is the Sunlight Foundation at www.sunlightfoundation.org

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Phoenix Arizona: Hey,

I know about Jeff Fisher.

Check this out.

http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/46494.php

He brings up K Street.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thank you.

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Seattle, Wash.: Also, for that matter, why are there so few US-born Mexican-American lobbyists? I have family that have lived in Texas since before the US existed, and California as well, and it seems they aren't there in numbers equal to their population percentage.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Now that's another column. I don't have the answer other than a repeat of the same ones that have prevented black lobbyists from proliferating.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Jeff, i enjoyed your column today; an extension of your book from 12 or so years ago. I am a black lobbyist, and did not know about this group until your column. My question to you is this, do you see a correlation between black Hill staffer becoming lobbyist versus white Hill staffer becoming lobbyist?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thanks.

Yes, I think it's much easier for a white staffer to become a lobbyists because white people tend to do the hiring. Or at least that's what I'm told by the black lobbyists who have had such a tough time finding work on K Street.

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Seattle, Wash.: Why are there so few Canadian-American lobbyists?

We're severely underrepresented.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I catch the sarcasm. But it doesn't diminish the problem that minorities face in the lobbying world. Diversity helps us understand the world better and lobbyists often frame the world that our lawmakers live in. Why would we want Congress to live in more of a bubble than it already does? I think we need to open the doors and windows a little, don't you?

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Silver Spring, Md.: Can't we increase the percentage of black lobbyists by cutting the number of white ones by 75%? ... Just saying, two birds, one stone and what not...

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I was waiting for this one.

The problem isn't too few black lobbyists, but too many lobbyists in general. That one is hard to argue.

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Blue-southerner in Florida....sigh: Will Ney join DeLay in starting their own new more slimy version of a Jack Abramoff Lobbying Firm (after the elections of course)?

Seriously, what's the scoop on the bilious Delay these days?

Also, I'm so glad Ralph Reed got his booty kicked -- what are his prospects for a 2nd act?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: In American, everyone seems to get a second chance. I'm not sure that's so bad.

DeLay may be forced by the courts to run for the House seat he resigned from. The Supreme Court will be given a chance to toss him off the ballot (though I'm better it will allow the lower court ruling to stand).

Reed will probably go back to his highly lucrative lobbying and political consulting business. He's a young man and a brilliant strategist. We have not heard the last from him, I am sure.

I don't know about Ney's future. But whatever it is, I hope to have a chance to write about it. Watch this space.

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Washinton DC Capitol Hill : I think this subject needs to be expanded upon.

As for Jeff Fisher, he is well known on the hill. Call John Conyers office, Call Maxine Waters office, Call Patrick Kennedy's office

If they say anything different than they know him. Call the NAACP, most of the Black Churches in DC and several people in law enforcement throughout the entire city.

This man does have insight to our community.

I can say this for he helped me get a job in this city where I had tried for over a year to get one but my color of skin stopped me. I never changed anything on my resume.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Many thanks.

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Anonymous: Having read how few Blacks are lobbyists, is there any chance Jack Abramoff might do some mentoring of young blacks wanting to get into this lucrative field as a form of community service? THANKS

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I can't tell if you're kidding.

I'll just assume you are and let everyone laugh with you.

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Newtown, Pa.: In a democracy, even a republic, the source of all power is individual voters. Any influence should come at ballot box. While lobbying is legal is it not a break in democratic principles when any group (non profit or for profit) which does not have a vote maintains influence--in reality it is the use of a subtle form of hierarchy to gain collectively what individually cannot be gotten. Electoral integrity would be so easy if only individual voters could lobby and contribute. In reality, the decision to equate $$$ with freedom of speech is a backdoor approval of bribery. Just some thoughts that haunt me, can you help???

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I don't know how I can help.

The restrictions you suggest (allowing only individual action on the legislative front) are impractical and probably illegal.

I'm afraid money and politics will always mingle and produce a volatile substance.

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Chicago, IL RE: 527 Question: Please give an example of an Independent group getting involved in a race? Thanks.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Americans for Job Security (active in Pennsylvania essentially on behalf of Sen. Santorum). There are dozens of others as well.

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Washington, D.C.: Off the topic of your column, but in your experience, was it unusual for Senator Reid to call top lobbyists and instruct them not to lobby in favor of the estate tax-minimum wage-tax extenders bill? I mean, if they have legislative interests contained in the bill, why is he telling them not to do their jobs? I'm sure it happens on both sides, but I'm wondering how often you really think this happens.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I had not heard that Sen. Reid had called any lobbyists. I had heard that his staff asked Democratic senators' offices to keep track of who lobbied against the Democratic position. That is unusual but a far more subtle form or coersion than others I have heard about and chronicled. Last week, the fight over the estate tax-minimum wage bill was hardball all the way. Those sorts of threats happen when matter of big partisan import come down.

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fyi: http://sunlightfoundation.org/ is parked: it's actually http://sunlightfoundation.com/

Jeffrey Birnbaum: thank you.

Let me repeat, then.

http://sunlightfoundation.com/

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DC: What about lobbyists who are disabled? Deaf lobbyists? Blind lobbyists?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Okay, I get the joke.

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Fremont, Calif.: This may be a repetion of early discussions, but the phrase "Transactional Lobbying" popped up the other day. Just another word for bribes?

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Campaign donations are a form of legalized bribery, yes. But unless a lawmaker offers to do something specific in exchange for money, then the transaction is not legally a bribe.

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Washignton, D.C.: Why is the Washington Post's coverage always framed in terms of a Black/White paradigm including your article? It would have been just as easy and very relevant to include the numbers for Latino/Hispanic lobbyist, but, yet, you did not. Why? We live in a dynamic environment where there are now as many Hispanics as African Americans. Your article would have been far more interesting and perhaps provided greater insights into the lack of access to political power and institutionalized racism if you had actually provided an article that reflected the reality of America which is not Black/White, but instead far more complicated and frankly interesting.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: I publish your criticism. I don't agree with it, but I publish it.

I decided long ago not to allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. I never pretend to give the last or complete word on any subject. There are probably an infinite number of stories I could have done related to this topic, but I chose to do a story about the small number of African American lobbyists. And there you have it.

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What a shocker: Only the well off get into the game. I'm stunned,,.

Look, the entire DC system is set up as job protection for the kiddies of the upscale. You have to have full time internships to get in the game. Of course, and good internships are unpaid. And who can live in this town with no viable income? The kiddies with trust funds or checks from home.

This is what is known in Econ as an "implicit barrier to entry".

Swing a dead cat around Cap Hill, and the screams of pain will come from the kids of doctors, lawyers, business executives, etc...

This is a surprise? And good luck trying to get the system to change. The priviledged rarely open up the systenm without a fight, and since they have all the money and can buy (aka "lobby) all the officials, it ain't happening anytime soon.

Diversity? It will happen as soon as there are more minority millionaires who will buy their kids into these gigs, regardless of personal merit. You know, the old fashioned way here in the US.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Come on, tell us what you really think!

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Washington, D.C.: My comment has two parts. First, in my observation as an African American on the Hill, African American lobbyists are often tapped to lobby on issues that corporations believe are relevant to the African American community, when a majority of black lobbyists have wide ranging experiences that remain untapped. This is due to institutional racism - intended or not. The practice limits the job possibilities for black lobbyists and staff who might want to enter the lobbying profession. It will change when corporations realize diversity as a goal important to the bottom line.

Second, although a discussion of African Americans in the lobbying profession is useful, we should not lose sight of the bigger picture - supplier diversity and ensuring that minority businesses get a fair share of contracts awarded by major corporations. When this happens, it will be in the economic interest of major corporations to contract with a racially diverse set of lobbyists.

Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

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Jeffrey Birnbaum: Well, I had too many questions to answer today. That's great. Thanks! I look forward to our next chat in a couple weeks. Please write in then.

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