Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010
Ron Johnson Hires Lobbyist as Chief of Staff
So Sen.-elect Ron Johnson has just hired his chief of staff, Don Kent.
While the official release describes Kent as a former Dept. of Homeland Security worker, that’s not Kent’s only job experience.
After leaving DHS, where Kent worked for Michael Chertoff, Kent became a lobbyist at Navigators Global, where he “heads up the Homeland Security practice.”
Politico reports that Kent will de-register as a lobbyist before signing on with Johnson.
Johnson’s choice of Kent shows that he’s trying to ingratiate himself with big defense contractors, Big Pharma and anti-worker groups.
Navigator Global’s clients include AgustaWestland North America, the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer; the Coalition of California Growers, which was fighting a bill that would make it easier for workers to organize; the Computer and Communications Industry Association, which was fighting an effort that would allow some taxpayers to file their state tax returns for free; the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, when then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer was investigating the industry; Pfizer; and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which wanted to block the reimportation of Canadian drugs to bring down costs for consumers.
Charming.
Guess Citizen Legislator Johnson needed a Washington insider/lobbyist to guide him in the nation’s capitol. Not exactly Mr. Smith stuff, hey?
While the official release describes Kent as a former Dept. of Homeland Security worker, that’s not Kent’s only job experience.
After leaving DHS, where Kent worked for Michael Chertoff, Kent became a lobbyist at Navigators Global, where he “heads up the Homeland Security practice.”
Politico reports that Kent will de-register as a lobbyist before signing on with Johnson.
At Navigators Global, Kent counseled corporations and other clients on strategy, policy and communications, particularly on issues related to the Homeland Security Department. He served as a lobbyist for Tyco International, AT&T, Advanced Micro Devices, UPS and other firms, according to Senate records. Kent will be deregistering as a lobbyist before joining Johnson’s staff, said Tracy Sefl, a senior vice president at Navigators.
Johnson’s choice of Kent shows that he’s trying to ingratiate himself with big defense contractors, Big Pharma and anti-worker groups.
Navigator Global’s clients include AgustaWestland North America, the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer; the Coalition of California Growers, which was fighting a bill that would make it easier for workers to organize; the Computer and Communications Industry Association, which was fighting an effort that would allow some taxpayers to file their state tax returns for free; the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, when then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer was investigating the industry; Pfizer; and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which wanted to block the reimportation of Canadian drugs to bring down costs for consumers.
Charming.
Guess Citizen Legislator Johnson needed a Washington insider/lobbyist to guide him in the nation’s capitol. Not exactly Mr. Smith stuff, hey?
I wonder if Johnson is going to renew his campaign to allow pedophile priests access to children like he did when he sat on the Financial Board of the Green Bay Archdiocese.
But hey - "this election isn't about details...it just isn't".
.
Barack Obama promised that lobbyists would not run his administration, and signed an executive order to that effect. He has broken that promise again and again, using a loophole that has allowed lobbyists to pervade his administration at all levels. Does that bother you, or are you OK with it as long as it's a Democrat doing the lying? Here's the link, in case you're interested:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/mar/17/obamas-lobbyist-rules-promise-broken/
I guess you're okay with the whole lobbyist/pedophile thing that Johnson is all about then.
Did I say that? Not at all. (1) The pedophile charge is bogus- just your bigoted hatred of Christianity. (2) You didn't answer my question- are you OK with lying if it is a Democrat telling the lies? And by the way, if one lobbyist means Johnson is "all about" it, is Obama then also "all about it"? Answer the question- your response is a waste of everyone's time.