Obama heads to Democratic fundraiser
WASHINGTON — Lobbyists were banned from a fundraiser Thursday night where President Barack Obama was expected to raise $3 million for Democratic candidates, but that won’t stopping them from donating cash to the same political account.
They just can’t show up at the presidential event.
Obama has prohibited lobbyists from donating to the Democratic National Committee, his re-election campaign in-waiting and any fundraisers where he’s the star attraction. The Democratic Party’s campaign arms for House and Senate candidates, however, can still accept donations from the special interests.
The double standard has left the president open to criticism. It was his fastidious campaign against lobbyists that helped win him the populist vote last year, set up an us-versus-Washington tone to his campaign and pave the way for him to raise millions from small-dollar donors.
“We stand by what we said in the campaign. And we haven’t changed that policy now that we’re here,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. “So I think the president has been consistent, has taken steps — both in the Senate and as a candidate and as a president — to reduce the influence of special interests in Washington.”
Asked how the ban limits lobbyists’ influence, Gibbs replied, “We’re not taking their money.”
Maybe not at the event itself, but lobbyists can send checks to the committee anytime they want.
“President Obama pledged on the campaign trail that special interest groups and lobbyists will not fund his party, but the reality is Democrats are happily accepting funding from special interests and lobbyists 364 days a year,” said Republican National Committee spokeswoman Gail Gitcho.
Reporters asked Gibbs why Obama, as titular head of the Democratic Party, was letting lobbyists donate to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Gibbs replied: “Call Bob Menendez,” chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
The fundraiser was Obama’s latest move to help his congressional allies defend majorities in both chambers on Capitol Hill. The president’s popularity has helped his party raise millions since the November elections.
Republicans, meanwhile, announced their own fundraising tallies. The RNC reported it raised $5.6 million in May and had $21.5 million in the bank. That May total likely included some parts of a $14 million fundraiser with radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh this month. Many of the checks would have been written before the event.
The DNC didn’t expect its fundraising tallies to be released until Friday at the earliest.
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