K Street Files: Obama Taking Lobbyists’ Cash?

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President Barack Obama has made a habit of calling out special interests and railing on lobbyists, but according to recently filed Senate lobbying disclosure reports, it appears that Obama gained from companies that lobby and even from a few K Streeters.

Chrys Lemon of McIntyre Law Firm, lobbyist John Huber and Athan Manuel of the Sierra Club all reported that they had contributed cash to Obama for President in 2009. Manuel reported the largest donation of $200 in October.

Obama also was honored by several firms contributing to minority-related Congressional nonprofits. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. reported contributing $50,000 in July to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. The donation was in honor of Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), according to the company’s LD-203 filing.

Van Scoyoc Associates also reported contributing $5,000 to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in September for an event honoring Obama, the Congressional Black Caucus, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.).

Foreign Agents. The Harbour Group recently renewed its lobbying contract with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, according to recent filings with the Justice Department. The firm billed $998,564 in 2009 to the UAE for its communications consulting services.

Harbour focused on several areas, including trade, bilateral relations and geopolitical issues.

Harbour Group isn’t the only firm inking deals with foreign countries. After rolling out a global advertising campaign to better the image of Chinese-made products this fall, DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc. registered to lobby on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

The ad company was paid $153,074 in May of last year as an advance for the production of the commercial, according to a Foreign Agents Registration Act filing. The total budget for the ad campaign was $306,148. The ads use the tagline “Made in China. Made with the world.”

K Street Moves. Duane Morris Government Affairs has added Nancy Roberts as a managing director. She will focus on grass-roots campaigns and strategic communications. Her clients have included the Baltimore Ravens, Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., Duke Energy North America, Lockheed Martin IMS, DuPont Worldwide and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

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