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www.mybaycity.com October 29, 2006
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Lobbyists, Bosses, Ideologues "Puppetize" Candidates, Issues

Effects of Political Manipulation Invade Public Decision-Making

October 29, 2006       Leave a Comment
By: Dave Rogers

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Dennis Cawthorne, front left, and Frank Kelley, front right, head the Cawthorne Kelley lobbying firm, said to be the pre-eminent firm influencing Michigan legislation.
 

What you see is not always what you get in government.

If you think your legislators always vote their consciences, or consistently reflect the views of their constituents, think again.

If you think the candidates in the Nov. 7 election sat down and wrote all their own ads, think again.

If you think the initiative referenda on the ballot came from honest efforts of civic-minded Michigan citizens to guide the direction of state government, think again.

If you believed the rhetoric, "tax cuts save you money," the experts warn that you will pay the price in the future for government debt. A game of "gotcha" is underway because of the Alternative Minimum Tax and deficits, laying the groundwork for higher taxes and problems financing government no matter who is in office.

The power of lobbying, campaign consultants and political vote-seeking lures are like icebergs -- the truth floats far below the surface.

"You have to look awfully close and be very sharp to find out what the real story is behind candidates and issues," warns a local politico with experience on the Hill and Lansing.

Lobbyists are not a handful of cigar-smoking backroom boys like the old days: there are 2,591 lobbyists registered with the State of Michigan, from companies like giant Alticor and Ford Motor Company to colleges, school districts, hospitals and trade associations.

Lobbying, even in "off the beaten track" Michigan, often creates images and reality of underhanded dealing reminiscent of Tammany Hall and other political machines of legend.

So-called Washington "super lobbyist" Jack Abramoff is facing federal charges for his activities, that allegedly involved $14 million in fees from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and their Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant in the past few years. U.S. Sen. John McCain's Indian Affairs Committee has been holding hearing on the activities of Abramoff, Ralph Reed of the Christian Coalition and others who are accused of illegal lobbying.

Michigan is ranked 10th among states nationally in total spending on federal lobbyists, led by General Motors with $48 million 1998-2004. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe was listed 8th at $4.8 million during the same period and the University of Michigan was 12th with $1.9 million.

That's just lobbying at the federal level; then there's the whole universe of state lobbying.

A defender of the University of Michigan lobbying program wrote for the online watchdog website Ypsi-Dixit: "UM, and all universities, need to have lobbyists in Washington -- in addition to the issues above (stem cell research, immigration restriction), the U needs to lobby for federal aid for low-income students (i.e., elimination or severe restriction of subsidized loans -- which I would hazard to guess that many of us used to finance part of our education). Also, aid for libraries and other non-science facilities. I am confident that a good lobbyist more than pays for him/herself when it comes to the interests of the UM. Our legislative system is broken, but UM isn't going to fix it by not playing the lobbyist game."

Former Michigan Republican legislator Dennis Cawthorne is reputed to be the state's leading lawyer/lobbyist, heading the Lansing firm of Kelley Cawthorne Attorneys and Government Affairs Counselors. He was recently named by the political newsletter "Inside Michigan Politics" as Michigan's most effective lobbyist. His "salt and pepper" combine with former Democratic attorney general Frank Kelley has skyrocketed the firm to the top spot among such companies in the state in a few years. See http://www.insidemichiganpolitics.com

Michigan even has a magazine just for lobbyists, the Michigan Lobbyist, with T. Scott listed as editor and publisher. The magazine's website boldly boasts it is "the first and only magazine focused on the business of influencing public policy in Michigan." http://www.michiganlobbyist.com

Scott promotes his publication: "As someone who cares about public policy, especially how it's developed and enacted into law, do you ever find yourself wondering why much of the coverage of issues is so superficial? Why conflicts over public policy become trivialized into morality plays between the 'public good' and 'special interests?' Why the real behind-the-scenes stories of influence and policy-making only get told behind the scenes?"

Very often outside influences with big bucks are being brought to bear to sway local voters on various issues, for who knows what reason.

Candidates nationally and in the tri-county area have complained that their views were not accurately reflected in advertising that ran in their support.

Some candidates, like Republican Bob Corker who is opposing Democratic U.S. Rep. Harold Ford for the open U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee, are crying "foul" against their own campaigns." Corker asked that an ad that some considered racist be "taken down" but only after it ran a full week.

A candidate right here in the Saginaw Valley is said to be "mortified" by television advertising that makes a vicious personal attack on his opponent claiming he protects sex criminals. The ad played for a while and then disappeared.

"This candidate is a really straight guy who would never think of running such an ad," said an area political consultant. "But the state party committee dictates the kind of advertising that will be run and what it will say. The candidate has no choice in the matter."

Campaign committees and independently financed advocacy groups often go far beyond the bounds of propriety in ads making outlandish charges against candidates they want to defeat. It would be hard to believe, for instance, that Dick DeVos, who seems to be a pretty decent fellow, approved of a recent mailing accusing Gov. Jennifer Granholm of causing deaths by allowing a murderer to go free. That ad probably came from a national political "hit squad" eager to win a seat for its party at any cost.

There are legislative referendums on eminent domain in five states: Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, and New Hampshire. [Editor's note: In Louisiana, the referendum passed in the September primary with 55 percent of the vote.]

Wealthy New York string-puller Howard Rich is said to be behind many of the ballot initiatives in various states and is funding a large share of the advertising in attempts to achieve passage of the proposals.

The Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C., states: "Many stories have suggested, for example, that Rich may have poured more than $10 million into ballot initiatives that will be put to voters on November 7."

"The property-rights movement, as it is known, has a major new benefactor - Howard Rich, a wealthy libertarian real estate investor from Manhattan," The Washington Post recently reported. "He has spent millions - estimates run as high as $11 million - to support initiatives that will appear on ballots throughout much of the West."

But Rich's donations over the past 26 years to political candidates and committees are puzzling, says the Center for Public Integrity. Federal Election Commission filings from 1980 through October 2006 show only $190,050 contributions from Rich.

The records also don't show what Rich has to gain by the big spending on these initiatives, except perhaps the personal satisfaction that comes with having enormous political power.

Affirmative action foe Ward Connerly, a Californian said behind the Michigan "Civil Rights Initiative," is under fire by members of Congress for his $1 million annual income received through non-profit organizations, the American Civil Rights Institute and the American Civil Rights Coalition.

The proposal aims to amend the Michigan Constitution to ban affirmative action and is on the Michigan ballot next week.

The Democracy Center explains the workings of the process:

"One form of lobbying takes place in the Capitol. It includes a mix of the following:
  • Meetings with lawmakers and legislative staff.

  • Providing analysis and information to committees and legislative offices.

  • Testifying in committee.

  • Negotiating with policy makers and other lobby groups.

    "For the most part this type of lobbying is carried out by, or in coordination with advocates who work on a regular basis at the Capitol.

    "An effective lobbying campaign also requires activity outside the Capitol, aimed at shifting the politics and pressure around the issue. Some of these activities include:

  • Media activity including news conferences, editorial board visits, and assisting reporters with stories.

  • Local lobbying visits by constituents to their legislators.

  • Building broad and diverse coalitions.

  • Letter writing campaigns to legislators.

  • Grassroots activity such as rallies, etc.

    "It is important that these kinds of "outside" lobbying activities be coordinated with "inside" lobbying activity, to assure that they make strategic sense in terms of timing, targeting, messages, etc."###

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    Dave Rogers

    Dave Rogers is a former editorial writer for the Bay City Times and a widely read,
    respected journalist/writer in and around Bay City.
    (Contact Dave Via Email at carraroe@aol.com)

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