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On December 30, New York Times writers Ginger Thompson and Eric Lipton's article headlined, "Lobbyist's Client List Puts Him on the Defensive," saying:
Davis "built a client list that now includes coup supporters in Honduras, a dictator in Equatorial Guinea, for-profit colleges accused of exploiting students (by aggressive tactics, entrapping them in debt for degrees of dubious value), (and his) agree(ing) to represent" Gbagbo. His frequent role "stoked growing criticism that (he's) become a kind of front man for the dark side, willing to take on some of the world's least noble companies and causes."
In a business noted for disreputable practices, "Mr. Davis' firm st(ands) out." California WIC (women, infants & children) Association representative Meredith McGehee said:
"You look at who he represents, and the list is just almost unseemly, tawdry." Representing agencies that serve poor women with infant children, California WIC lost its battle with Davis, McGehee adding: "It is an illustration of what most of the American people think of as wrong with Washington," and Davis as one of its most sleazy exponents.
Yet he battles critics by lining up support from State Department officials, congressional members and business contacts to testify how he helped them. He also uses his customary media blitz approach, including making himself available for print and on-air interviews, a technique earning him a reputation as "spinmeister par excellence," a noted practictioner of distortion, misinformation, and bald-faced lies.
Repeatedly exposed as disreputable, his defense is that:
"My credibility is the only thing I have. If I defend people in indefensible, corrupt acts, then I lose everything I have, and I'm just another gun for hire. But when I see that I can help get out the facts, and improve people's lives, and peacefully resolve conflicts, then I feel an obligation to do so....I am a liberal Democrat. I've been (one) all my life. I haven't changed my values."
Phew! The last refugee of a scoundrel is wrapping disrepute in claimed honor, ethics and principle, never mind being bankrolled by some of the world's sleaziest dictators and corporations to do it. Also claiming everyone deserves a voice is baseless, not when claimants murder, steal, and ravage the environment for profit. Even Obama officials say he's on the wrong side of some fights.
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