DO LIEBERMAN’S LOBBYIST TIES EXPLAIN HIS DEFENSE OF EARMARKING?

Earmarking is at the center of the scandals surrounding convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and was the culprit that put Rep. Duke Cunningham behind bars. So why would Lieberman defend earmarking in the wake of that illegal behavior? Maybe because he’s so tied into the lobbying community that is making huge profits off earmarking. Days before the primary election, the Hartford Courant reported on a fundraiser a large group of Washington lobbyists held for Lieberman. That fundraiser featured Michael Lewan, Lieberman’s previous chief of staff who went on to be both a major Washington lobbyist for companies like Enron and a top fundraiser for convicted Connecticut Gov. John Rowland®. In fact, over his career, Lieberman has received approximately $3.3 million from lawyers and lobbyists, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That includes more than $2.5 million from lawyers and lobbyists in just this election cycle. [Source: Center for Responsive Politics Lieberman career report Center for Responsive Politics 2006 Lieberman report Hartford Courant, 8/4/06]