Tobacco, Oil, Bank Lobbyists Crowd Dem Senators' Retreat

Miami guest list doesn't quite jibe with anti-'fat cat' rhetoric
Tobacco, Oil, Bank Lobbyists Crowd Dem Senators' Retreat
Robert Menendez (NJ) center, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich) left, were among the Democratic senators rubbing elbows with lobbyists at a Miami retreat over the weekend.   (AP Photo)

Lobbyists for some of the industries most often blasted by Democrats—oil, big tobacco, banks—made up a good chunk of the guest list at a Miami retreat featuring a dozen Senate Democrats. A $30,000 contribution to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is typical, reports Politico, which scored a copy of the guest list; among the senators in attendance were Robert Menendez (NJ), Carl Levin (Mich.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Bernie Sanders, a nominal independent from Vermont.

Attendees had access to the lawmakers at “informal” mixers Friday and Saturday, plus receptions, briefings and dinners both nights.
(More lobbyists stories.)

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