WASHINGTON, June 6, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ ----How Will The DNC's Ban On Lobbyist Cash Bring Change When There Are Major Exceptions And Registered Lobbyists In Leadership Positions?

Obama Has Pledged To Reject Money From Federal Lobbyists And PACs Repeatedly:

The following was released by the Republican National Committee:

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Obama: "I just want to make sure that we understand: I don't take money from federal lobbyists. I don't take money from PACs." (Sen. Barack Obama, MSNBC Presidential Debate, Las Vegas, NV, 1/15/08)

Obama: "I'm not in this race to continue the special-interest-driven politics of the last eight years. I'm in this race to end it. I've been taking on lobbyists throughout my career in Illinois." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At A Town Hall Meeting, Billings, MT, 5/19/08)

Obama: "I believe I can bring about that kind of change - because I'm the only candidate in this race who's actually worked to take power away from lobbyists by passing historic ethics reforms in Illinois and in the U.S. Senate. And I'm the only candidate who isn't taking a dime from Washington lobbyists. They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my administration, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I'm President of the United States." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks To The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Philadelphia, PA, 4/2/08)

Obama Even Banned PAC and Lobbyist Money From The DNC:

Obama Prohibited The DNC From Receiving Contributions From PACs And Registered Federal Lobbyists. "Barack Obama put his stamp on the party Thursday, announcing the Democratic National Committee would no longer accept donations from political action committees or federal lobbyists. That brings the party in line with his campaign's policy." (Matt Kelley, "DNC Will Refuse Funds From Lobbyists, PACs," USA Today, 6/6/08)

Obama: "We will not take a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACS - we're going to change how Washington works. They will not fund my party, they will not run our White House, and they will not drown out the voice of the American people when I am president of the United States of America." (Sunlen Miller, "Obama Commends DNC For Cutting Lobbyist Contributions," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, 6/5/08)

But The New Policy Will Not Apply To Former Lobbyists, Unregistered Lobbying Firm Partners, Or State Lobbyists:

The Lobbyist Ban At The DNC Does Not Apply To Former Lobbyists, Unregistered Lobbying Firm Partners, Or State Lobbyists. "Sen. Barack Obama's decision to tell the Democratic National Committee to stop taking money from lobbyists isn't likely to dent fundraising efforts because the policy only applies to current federal lobbyists, experts say. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's decree doesn't rule out contributions from past lobbyists, unregistered lobbying firm partners or statehouse lobbyists." (Jim McElhatton, "Obama Decree On Funding Limited To Current Lobbyists," The Washington Times, 6/6/08)

And The DCCC And DSCC Are Not Required To Follow The New Lobbyist Rule:

"Unlike The Democratic National Committee (DNC) And Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Democratic Congressional Committees Will Continue To Take Money From Lobbyists." (Jackie Kucinich, "DCCC, DSCC Will Not Follow Obama's Lead," The Hill, 6/5/08)

The DCCC And DSCC Will Continue To Accept Donations From Registered Federal Lobbyists And PACs. "The Obama campaign confirms that two other arms of the national party - the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee - will continue to accept lobby and PAC money this election ... A DCCC spokesman said the committee will not ban lobbyist and special-interest PAC donations." (Jim Tankersley, "Lobby $ Ban Not For All Dems," Baltimore Sun's "The Swamp" Blog, 6/5/08)

The DCCC Will Not Follow Obama's Lead On Special Interests. "The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will not follow Barack Obama's lead when it comes to accepting campaign contributions from registered lobbyists, DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell says. Obama has banned lobbyists from contributing to the Democratic National Committee." (Ryan Grim, "DCCC Won't Follow DNC's K Street Ban," The Politico's "The Crypt" Blog, 6/5/08)

And The DNC's Vice Chair, Lottie Shackleford, Is A Registered Federal Lobbyist:

Lottie Shackleford, A Vice Chair Of The DNC, Is A Lobbyist, Despite The DNC's New Policy To Barring Donations From Lobbyists. "The DNC policy announced Thursday does not ban lobbyists from holding top positions within the organization. Lottie Shackleford, a vice chairman of the DNC, is a lobbyist for insurance firms State Farm and Allstate as well as student lender Sallie Mae." (Matt Kelley, "DNC Will Refuse Funds From Lobbyists, PACs," USA Today, 6/6/08)

Shackleford And The Obama Campaign Would Not Comment. "Shackleford did not respond to messages seeking comment. Paxton declined to comment when asked whether Shackleford's role conflicted with Obama's lobbyist restrictions. Obama spokesman Bill Burton did not respond to messages seeking comment." (Matt Kelley, "DNC Will Refuse Funds From Lobbyists, PACs," USA Today, 6/6/08)

Shackelford Has Been A Registered Federal Lobbyist With Global USA, Inc. Since At Least 1999. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 6/6/08)

Shackelford's Clients Have Included Allstate Insurance, FM Policy Focus, ARTEL, Hyundai Motor Co., Jacksonville Electric Authority, Kyocera Corporation, Lyondel Chemical Company, Metro-Miami Action Plan Trust, Miami-Dade [FL] County, NPR, Psychemedics Corporation, Quest Software, Sallie Mae, SBC Communications, And State Farm Insurance. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 6/6/08)

Shackelford Was A Registered Foreign Agent From September 1994 To December 1995. (U.S. Department Of Justice Website, fara.gov, Accessed 6/6/08)

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SOURCE Republican National Committee

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