Governor Hires New Lobbyist For N.M. (John Podesta connection)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | January 3, 2006 | Colleen Heild

[CedarDave]

Gov. Bill Richardson's office wanted bigger guns to represent New Mexico's interests in Washington, D.C.

So the state has hired a high-profile lobbying firm whose co-chairman is the brother of John Podesta, Richardson's friend and former colleague at the Clinton White House.

The firm of PodestaMattoon was selected from among six that responded to a request for proposals issued last summer. Under the contract, PodestaMattoon will receive $11,500 a month or $138,000 a year, plus expenses.

John Podesta's brother, Tony Podesta, is one co-chair of the company. He is a Democratic strategist who ran John Kerry's presidential campaign in Pennsylvania. He is also former counsel to Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Dan Mattoon, the other co-chair, is a former deputy chairman of the Republican Congressional Committee. He has been called one of Washington's most powerful lobbyists and is friends with Dennis Hastert, Republican speaker of the House.

John Podesta was White House chief of staff from 1998 to January 2001 and served there while Richardson was U.N. ambassador and later, Department of Energy secretary. Richardson and John Podesta at one point became figures in the Monica Lewinsky controversy after John Podesta, as a deputy chief of staff, asked Richardson if he would interview Lewinsky for a low-level job in 1997.

Richardson and his then-chief of staff interviewed Lewinsky. Richardson and Podesta said later the interview was done as a favor to Clinton's secretary, Betty Curry. Lewinsky was offered a job but turned it down.

John Podesta now heads the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan think tank.

[CedarDave]

King Bill positioning himself for 2008. Any benefit New Mexico will get from this arrangement is strictly secondary, I suspect.

[TCats]

Funny, I thought putting forth a State's interests in Washington were the responsibility of it's Representatives and Senators. I would never have thought they were really in the hands of a paid Lobbyist. I guess I'm just Old Fashioned about these things though.

[sgtbono2002]

You are not old fashioned . We all know thousands of dollars are spent with lobbyists and by lobbyists and accepted in some form by politicians of both sides. Its unethical its immoral and it just aint right. But it goes on. What they are buying is a foot in the door. Now we all have a right to go see our Representatives , but these guys get appointments while we talk to staffers.

[CedarDave]

The article (the part I couldn't post) discusses the efforts of the State's senators and representatives and that they have been very successful in "bringing home the bacon" [or pork!]. It also mentions that the Republican predecessor did not have a lobbing firm or staff office there.

Richardson's chief-of-staff said "Obviously, with the governor's profile and the delegation's assistance, we have a lot of influences in Washington for a small state. However, a lot of things get done in the depths of the bureaucracies and that's where a lot of these firms know people and know how to get things done."

[TCats]

I guess I should have used a /sarc tag.

Let's face it, the Gov't at all levels has become, in the last 20 years or so, about as corrupt as many Third World Countries. IMO The Abramoff thing is just the tip of the iceberg and it infects both sides of the aisle. Short of serious revolution I really don't know how it gets corrected and I'm serious.

[TCats]

Thanks for the addition. A lot of influence for a Small State is DC-ese for, we'll get more from the Feds than we pay and, in this process, we'll shortchange other States.

The solution to this fraud is to not give it to the Fed. Gov't in the first place.

[LegendHasIt]

Dear old Bill has already spent a million dollars + of state money on TV commercials that are supposedly to prevent drunk driving..... But that message is not particularly evident... The main message is "Hey look at me, Bill Richardson; Ain't I great?"

[sgtbono2002]

Funny, I thought putting forth a State's interests in Washington were the responsibility of it's Representatives and Senators.

The Senators and Representatives put forth the States interest in so far as trying to make sure their state gets its share of pork. That way their constituents are happy and they get re-elected.

But thats not where the fun starts.

The fun starts when the lobbyists come through the door with handfulls of money wanting federal funds. Trips to nice vacation spots, Golfing trips, use of corporate jets, women--Yes women, Good booze and great meals.

Now evidently Richardson dosnt think his boys are sending enough pork home so he hires these people to shore them up.What he pays these folks isnt half what it will cost in the end, when he gets their expense accounts.