Tired of ‘Tainted’ Image, Lobbyists Try Makeover
By ERIC LICHTBLAU, NYT
WASHINGTON — Howard Marlowe was speaking a few weeks ago to a government relations class at the University of California, Berkeley, about his work as a federal lobbyist when several students voiced their deep mistrust of his profession and their misgivings about ever considering it themselves.
As president of a Washington lobbying association, Mr. Marlowe had no real answer. Once a Washington insider becomes identified by the scarlet letter of lobbyist, he acknowledged afterward, “you’re a leper” if you ever want to run for office or work for the government.
“We’re tainted,” he said.
Remaking the image of an industry as battered as that of Washington lobbying might seem like a fool’s quest for even the most battle-tested public relations person. And it may be difficult to dredge up much sympathy for an industry that earned $3.3 billion last year for helping oil companies, drug makers, Wall Street firms and others get access to Washington’s elite.
But in a series of steps including pro bono work, ethics training and tightened disclosure requirements, some of Washington’s leading lobbyists are mounting a concerted push to earn, if not respectability, then at least something less than public disdain.
(More here.)
WASHINGTON — Howard Marlowe was speaking a few weeks ago to a government relations class at the University of California, Berkeley, about his work as a federal lobbyist when several students voiced their deep mistrust of his profession and their misgivings about ever considering it themselves.
As president of a Washington lobbying association, Mr. Marlowe had no real answer. Once a Washington insider becomes identified by the scarlet letter of lobbyist, he acknowledged afterward, “you’re a leper” if you ever want to run for office or work for the government.
“We’re tainted,” he said.
Remaking the image of an industry as battered as that of Washington lobbying might seem like a fool’s quest for even the most battle-tested public relations person. And it may be difficult to dredge up much sympathy for an industry that earned $3.3 billion last year for helping oil companies, drug makers, Wall Street firms and others get access to Washington’s elite.
But in a series of steps including pro bono work, ethics training and tightened disclosure requirements, some of Washington’s leading lobbyists are mounting a concerted push to earn, if not respectability, then at least something less than public disdain.
(More here.)
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