Thursday, November 8, 2012

Good news, you were just defeated in your bid to be re-elected to Congress

Now the big money can start rolling in.

We've been discussing interest groups and lobbying, as well as the tendency of lobbying groups to hire ex-members of Congress. Here's proof from The Hill:

Several lawmakers who went down in defeat on election night could find a second act in Washington as lobbyists.

Many Blue Dogs, the ever-shrinking centrist Democratic faction in the House, lost their reelection bids, but their brand is strong on K Street. Lobby firms prize the conservative-leaning Democrats for their reputation as dealmakers who can get results.

Ivan Adler, a principal at the McCormick Group, said lawmakers with bipartisan credentials go for top dollar in the influence industry.


As we discussed in class - this helps sub-governments to form and is part of the revolving door in national government.

FYI: "Blue Dogs" refers to members of the Blue Dog Coalition. We mentioned them in 2306. A subspecies of the Yellow Dog Democrat, these were Democrats who would rather vote for a yellow dog than a Republican. Blue Dogs are Yellow Dogs who've been strangled by the liberal leadership of the national Democratic Party. Most Blue Dogs Democrats are now Republicans.