Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg Claims Corporations and Lobbyists Are the ‘Solution’
As lobbyists make record sums and taxpayer dollars continue to flood Wall Street accounts, voters must realize that the fundamental principles of American democracy—capitalism, free-enterprise—are being dismantled by elected officials who claim they support traditional conservative principles.
When officials like Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg, currently running for a Republican seat in the Senate, claim corporations and lobbyists are working for pro-American policies it is an absolute sham. Read about Rehberg’s remarks to the American League of Lobbyists and consider whether these men truly represent the American public interest.
From The Huffington Post
Denny Rehberg, GOP Senate Candidate, Said Lobbyists Are ‘Solution,’ Government Is ‘Enemy’
Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg has been pounding Democratic Sen. Jon Tester over lobbyist fundraising in their tight Senate race, but Rehberg declared last year in a meeting with the influence peddlers that he probably would have chosen their profession over his own if he had been “smart.”
And further, he declared they were not only honorable, but that he could not do his job without them.
Rehberg made those assertions speaking to the American League of Lobbyists in October at an event that was recorded. The recording was forwarded to The Huffington Post by the Tester campaign.
In the speech, Rehberg recalls how he nearly became a lobbyist.
“A lot of y’all’s type came to me and said, ‘What are you nuts? You know, if we had the choice of either run for Congress or be a lobbyist, wouldn’t you like to try the Congress first?’ And I fell for it,” Rehberg said. “I ran for Congress. I probably, if I had been smart, I would’ve said nope, no, I think I’ll stay out of the political arena and go into lobbying.
“What I’m trying to suggest is I think lobbying is an honorable profession,” he said.
The back-and-forth between Tester and Rehberg over their respective ties to lobbyists has been especially fierce, with Rehberg pointing out repeatedly that Tester has gotten more cash from lobbyists this election than anyone else. Tester’s side has hit back by saying that Rehberg’s son works for a lobby shop, and that Rehberg hides donations from lobbyists.
“We’re pleased that Sen. Tester wants to highlight that Denny chose ranching over lobbying after he left the Lt. Governor’s office,” said Rehberg spokesman Chris Bond, referring to the career choice Rehberg made before running for Congress. “Given that Tester is the number one recipient of lobbyist money in Congress this cycle, it’ll be interesting to see if he chooses farming over lobbying after his unsuccessful reelection bid.”
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