And this STILL doesn’t make him a LOBBYIST for Ethanol. IF you’re a lobbyist, you have to register as a LOBBYIST and the whole world knows it. To advise on strategy and “speak positively to the media” is NOT a lobbyist.
Calling all Palin people... remember “death panels”.....
“Gingrich’s consulting business and think tank had more than 300 members and clients, generating gross revenue of nearly $55 million between 2001 and 2010, according to a statement by former Gingrich aide Desmond, who remains chairman and chief executive of the operation.” (Karen Tumulty and Dan Eggen, “Newt Gingrich Inc.: How the GOP hopeful went from political flameout to fortune,” The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com, 11/26/2011)
“Gingrich also broke from the right when he praised his client Gundersen Lutheran Health System‘s end-of-life best practice as one that ‘empowers patients and families.’ At the height of the health care debate in which end-of-life care became a key dividing issue between Republicans and Democrats, Gingrich stood out alone in the Republican field.
“Gingrich’s campaign has said the firm brings in revenue of $5 million a year, a figure Meyers would not confirm.” (Huma Khan, “Newt Gingrich Had Lucrative Health Industry Ties,” ABC News,abcnews.go.com, 11/18/2011)
Despite Gingrich’s frequent protestations that he’s never technically “lobbied,” there appears to be a great deal of anecdotal evidence that the former House Speaker has directly sought to influence legislation since leaving office.
“Multiple sources have told me and the Washington Post stories of Newt privately pushing members to vote Aye — the position of the drug clients he had. So, again, here’s the story, based on multiple sources, and never denied by Gingrich, in bullet points:
* Drug companies were paying Gingrich to help them pass the drug bill
* Gingrich was privately leaning on lawmakers to pass the bill
“That sounds a lot like lobbying for the drug companies. “It doesn’t mean he sold his opinion. It just means he’s not telling the truth when he says he never lobbied.” (Timothy P. Carney, “Gingrich’s lobbying denial is not a denial,” The Washington Examiner, campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com, 11/21/2011)