Keep Your Friends Close and Your Lobbyists Closer

During the recent Republican National Convention, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) had this to say in his acceptance speech: "I've fought the big spenders in both parties who waste your money on things you neither need nor want. And the first big spending, pork barrel earmark bill that comes across my desk, I will veto it. I will make them famous and you will know their names. You will know their names."

This quote certainly makes for great headlines. However, the words certainly ring hollow following the news that McCain has named William Timmons to head his "transition team" should McCain win the presidential election. Timmons is currently the Chairman Emeritus of Timmons and Co., an influential lobbying firm he founded in 1975 shortly after resigning from the White House as Assistant to President Gerald Ford. With that being said, here is just a short list of the clients for whom Timmons & Co. has lobbied since 2001:

• American Petroleum Institute, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Freddie Mac, National Rifle Association, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Unocal (now owned by Chevron)

It is very interesting that Freddie Mac is on this list of clients for Timmons & Co. Why? Both McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had this to say earlier this month in a joint op-ed piece in "The Wall Street Journal": "Fannie and Freddie's lobbyists succeeded and Congress failed. Under our administration, this will not happen again." Contrary to his comments from the Republican National Convention, it is probably safe to assume that McCain won't make his name famous any time soon. By the way, if you wish to read more information on McCain's extremely close ties to lobbyists, go to http://mclobbyist.com/.