The Daily Background

I’m noticing one or two little odd parallels in the presidential race. No, I’m not equating these candidates with each other, but it’s funny how these coincidences happen at the same time, isn’t it?

Hillary Clinton defends lobbyists:

On whether money from Washington lobbyists would influence her votes: “I don’t think, based on my 35 years in fighting for what I believe in, anybody seriously believes I am going to be influenced by a lobbyist or a particular interest group.”

Asked if she would continue to take money from Washington lobbyists:

“Yes, I will. I will. You know, a lot of those lobbyists, whether you like it or not, represent real Americans. They actually do.”

Fred Thompson defends lobbyists:

On the verge of joining the presidential race, Republican Fred Thompson on Friday unapologetically defended his career as a Washington lobbyist paid to influence the government on behalf of an abortion-rights group, a leftist Haitian leader and other special interests.
[..]
Thompson echoed Clinton’s defense.

“Not everybody can come to Washington and look out for themselves,” he said.

Thompson’s advisers initially denied that he worked for the abortion-rights group. Thompson himself told the AP that his memory was foggy.

John Edwards will divest from something he doesn’t agree with that he didn’t know he was invested in:

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who has called homeownership “the foundation of the American dream,” said Friday he will get rid of personal assets tied to lenders who have foreclosed on Hurricane Katrina victims.

“I will not have my family’s money involved in these firms that are foreclosing on people in New Orleans,” he told The Associated Press.

Mitt Romney will divest from something he doesn’t agree with that he didn’t know he was invested in:

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said his investments will change after the Boston Herald reported they included a stake in two companies which conduct embryonic stem cell research.

“My investments have been held in a blind trust, which means I have not directed where they invest nor do I know where they invest,” said the former Massachusetts governor during a swing through Atlanta on Wednesday. “The trustee of the blind trust has said publicly that he will endeavor to make my investments conform with my positions, and I am confident that he will.”

Filed under: Z-TDB Blog