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During this year’s primary campaign, much has been made about Mrs. Clinton’s ties to campaign cash from lobbyists. Is it possible to accept massive donations from K Street lobbyists and not be influenced by them?
Mrs. Clinton came to her own defense on this issue.
She argued that these lobbyists, to use her exact words, “represent real Americans.” She went on to point out that some of these real Americans included “nurses, social workers and corporations that employ a lot of people.” Mrs. Clinton’s point was that it is perfectly acceptable for her to take money from lobbyists because, in representing “real Americans”, lobbyists give voice to the issues and concerns of the American people. What could be more democratic than a process that gives “real Americans” a chance to raise their issues and concerns with their elected representatives?
The lobbying process, according to Mrs. Clinton, is an opportunity for “real Americans” to influence their own government by educating the Congress and trying to influence legislation and policy.
And what did Mrs. Clinton say her reaction to these representatives of “real Americans” would be when they bring their concerns to her? Mrs. Clinton stated that she would “not be influenced” by anything they said. How’s that for representative government?
She justified taking cash from lobbyists representing real Americans and then, to prove her independence, stated she would not be influenced by them. She takes their money because they are real people with real concerns and then says it's OK to take their money because she will not be influenced by what they say.
Here is Mrs. Clinton’s full statement:
“A lot of those lobbyists, whether you like it or not, represent real Americans,” the New York senator said in defense of her decision to accept campaign contributions from lobbyists. “They represent nurses, they represent social workers, yes, they represent corporations that employ a lot of people. I don’t think, based on my 35 years of fighting for what I believe in, I don’t think anybody seriously believes I’m going to be influenced by a lobbyist.”
