For Immediate Release:                         February 5, 2010

Contact:                                                  Ryan Hobart    (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125

FRIDAY FLASHBACK

Washington Post: House Majority Whip

 (Blunt) Exerts Influence by Way of K

 Street

Here are some excerpts from the article:

“House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the man one step behind Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in the Republican leadership, has built a political machine of his own that extends from Missouri deep into Washington's K Street lobbying community.”

“Working outside the glare of public attention, Blunt has maximized the organization's influence by delegating authority to Washington business and trade association lobbyists to help negotiate deals with individual House members to produce majorities on important issues.”

“Blunt, 55, was handpicked by DeLay in 1999 to become chief deputy whip and then assumed the majority whip's post in 2003 after DeLay became majority leader. Blunt has been a loyal defender of DeLay, despite the majority leader's mounting ethics problems.”

“Both ‘Blunt Inc.’ and ‘DeLay Inc.’ reflect the growing importance of commanding multimillion-dollar funds and having reliable loyalists in Washington's lobbying community. Blunt and DeLay are fundraising powerhouses. Their political organizations use multiple fundraising committees, have rewarded family members and have provided an avenue to riches for former aides now in the private sector.”

To read the full article about Washington insider Congressman Blunt's lobbyist pay-to-play system go to:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/16/AR2005051601334.html