You Gotta Have Friends
Jan 28th, 2006 at 3:25 pm by Susie
More on my favorite local politician, Curt Weldon, the Congressman from Boeing:
How a little-known Pennsylvania lobbyist would significantly boost Advanced Ceramics’ political influence in Arizona was not clear.
A representative from another company that has lobbied Weldon’s office said a senior Weldon aide suggested the firm retain Grimes. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to protect his company from retribution.
“He didn’t flat out say to hire her,” the official said, recalling the aide’s advice. “But he said … it would be good to have her on our side.”
The company did not retain Grimes because “the situation didn’t feel right,” the firm’s representative said.
Canfield said neither Weldon nor his aides had ever recommended that any company hire Grimes or any other lobbyist.
Congressional watchdog groups said it appeared that some companies retained Grimes not only for future access to Weldon but also to say thank you for the congressman’s past support.
“The only thing that she seems to be bring to the table is her relationship with Weldon,” Keith Ashdown of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a Washington watchdog group, said when told of Grimes’ work as a lobbyist.
“If I were looking to hire a lobbyist, I’d want someone with experience…. There’s a big difference between selling houses and selling legislation to the House.”
I just wonder why the L.A. Times, and not the Philadelphia Inquirer, is the only paper doing this kind of great work on this bozo.
Two Democrats are running in the primary election to oppose Mr. Weldon in the seventh district: Dr. Paul Scoles http://www.scolesforcongress.com and Mr. Byron Lentz wwwlentzforcongress.com
Please visit their websites, choose a candidate and support him with your money and your vote. You know Mr. Weldon will be WELL FINANCED.