Popcorn Politics
August 7, 2012 - by
**Gary is taking a break from blogging and he asked a few Tapsters to post a few blogs. Here is one a Tapster sent in:
The rankings of the allegedly most influential lobbyists were released last week by the NC Center for Public Policy Research. This biennial joke was greeted by the usual laughter and derisive snorts from knowledgeable insiders who see the list for the pitiful sham that it is.
Most pros concede that top-ranked lobbyist Dana Simpson probably deserves his spot, as do some of those in the top 10. After that, it’s pretty sketchy. The top half of the list includes a handful of nice people who couldn’t pass or kill a bill if they had to, and includes some treacherous backstabbers who spend more time lobbying for their spot on the list than on issues for their clients. Some folks in the bottom half of the rankings are complete nobodies.
So, here’s a sincere call to Center boss Ran Coble to come clean. Be transparent! Tell us how many votes each lobbyist received from legislators, lobbyists and the media.
Ran, you really need to do this. The 2012 fantasy list hurts the credibility of your organization. It’s simply not believable that the list published by the Center reflects the actual outcome of the vote. It looks contrived and manipulated.
If you are unwilling to be transparent, then quit doing the poll and leave the comedy lists to Letterman.
Popcorn Politics
August 7, 2012/
**Gary is taking a break from blogging and he asked a few Tapsters to post a few blogs. Here is one a Tapster sent in:
The rankings of the allegedly most influential lobbyists were released last week by the NC Center for Public Policy Research. This biennial joke was greeted by the usual laughter and derisive snorts from knowledgeable insiders who see the list for the pitiful sham that it is.
Most pros concede that top-ranked lobbyist Dana Simpson probably deserves his spot, as do some of those in the top 10. After that, it’s pretty sketchy. The top half of the list includes a handful of nice people who couldn’t pass or kill a bill if they had to, and includes some treacherous backstabbers who spend more time lobbying for their spot on the list than on issues for their clients. Some folks in the bottom half of the rankings are complete nobodies.
So, here’s a sincere call to Center boss Ran Coble to come clean. Be transparent! Tell us how many votes each lobbyist received from legislators, lobbyists and the media.
Ran, you really need to do this. The 2012 fantasy list hurts the credibility of your organization. It’s simply not believable that the list published by the Center reflects the actual outcome of the vote. It looks contrived and manipulated.
If you are unwilling to be transparent, then quit doing the poll and leave the comedy lists to Letterman.