Lobbyists

Lobbying Watchdogs Have A Good Laugh Over Newt Gingrich's 'Historian' Line

Ryan J. Reilly | November 10, 2011, 12:53PM

Good government types are getting a kick out of Newt Gingrich's claim at Wednesday's debate that he wasn't a lobbyist for Freddie Mac but was rather hired for his skills as an historian.

"I have never done any lobbying," Gingrich said, adding that he only offered "advice as an historian."

For some context, a full-time professor of history made an average of $63,119 per year around 2006. Newt racked up $300,000, or about 4.75 times as much.

But to get at a larger point, lobbying watchdogs say Gingrich's justification shows just how weak lobbying disclosures are and how easy it is to avoid registering.

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Topics: Lobbyists, Newt Gingrich, Public Citizen, Sunlight Foundation

Campaign Contributions

New Tool Tracks How Shopping Habits Impact Political Process

Ryan J. Reilly | November 30, 2010, 2:06PM

Worried your donation to the Human Rights Campaign could be diluted thanks to your Target habit and the company's support of anti-gay politicians?

The Sunlight Foundation has you covered with their new Checking Influence tool, which analyzes online bank account and credit card statements to show how your spending is being used to influence the political process. The tool allows users to determine if their spending habits are aligning with their political beliefs.

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Topics: Campaign Contributions, Campaign Donations, Campaign Finance, Sunlight Foundation