- Sun. Sep 7, 2008
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Still Liking Washington
Rudy Giuliani failed in his quest for the White House this year, but the former New York City mayor is still making it in Washington: His law firm, Bracewell & Giuliani, continues to attract lobbying business in the nation's capital. The Houston-based firm reported federal lobbying fee income of $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2008. In February, the firm nabbed four new energy clients, just days after Giuliani's January 30 announcement ending his bid for the GOP presidential nomination. The new clients include Ameren, Duke Energy, Energy Future Holdings (formerly utility giant TXU), and the Salt River Project. In 2007, the firm posted $6.8 million in lobbying fees, up from $5.8 million in 2006, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Giuliani isn't a registered federal lobbyist, but as a name partner he benefits from income generated by the lobbying practice. The firm's employees were also helpful during the nomination battle, contributing $121,250 to Giuliani's campaign. And he may look to tap that network in the future: His presidential fundraising committee is still seeking donations through the website joinrudy2012.com. --Bara Vaida
Will the Next CEO Please Stand Up?
Executive searches are under way to find successors to two of Washington's veteran trade association CEOs--Red Cavaney of the American Petroleum Institute and Andrew Sharkey of the American Iron and Steel Institute. Both are poised to retire later this year or in early 2009. Oil-industry lobbyists say that the hunt to replace Cavaney is partly focused on other trade group leaders with experience in issues similar to the API's. One name being mentioned is Jack Gerard, the president of the American Chemistry Council, who used to run the National Mining Association. Former elected officials are also being eyed as candidates, a source said. In 2006, Cavaney received a pay and benefits package of more than $1.7 million. At the iron and steel group, Sharkey's package was $787,000 in 2006. --Peter H. Stone
Who Files?
Are public-relations firms working on behalf of K Street coalitions covered by the new lobbying disclosure law? Consider three PR firms hired by three different alliances battling over patent law reforms in Congress. Last year, none of the three registered as lobbyists.
But this year, Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter and Associates has done so after being hired by the Coalition for Patent Fairness. Firm partner Beau Phillips said that although his shop doesn't frequent Capitol Hill, attorneys advised it to register when its work is "part of a broader effort to pass legislation," such as preparing talking points or "leave-behinds"--PR-speak for information given to congressional offices.
The Fratelli Group, which is working for the Innovation Alliance, has not registered in 2008. The issue "hasn't come up for any of our clients, frankly," said principal Eric Thomas. The firm, he said, has limited direct contact with Hill staffers but does produce leave-behinds and press kits, and manage its client's website.
Also not registering is Public Strategies, which was hired by the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform. Public Strategies Director Bill Mashek said his firm works with the coalition's lobbyists but is not registered in this instance because it didn't have more than one direct contact with Hill offices or spend at least 20 percent of staff time on "lobbying activities." --Julie Kosterlitz