Democrats Dodge Obama's Lobbyist Ban

Congressional Democrats have found a way around President Obama’s refusal to appear at events where lobbyists can make campaign contributions, Politico reports. Lobbyists won’t be able to donate at tonight’s fundraiser with Obama, but they’ll be more than welcome to do so tomorrow morning, at a specially convened “Issues Conference.” The invitations to the $5,000-a-head event all but spell out its ban-dodging mission.

“Please note that the Friday Issues Conference is NOT subject to lobbyist restrictions,” the e-mail reads, the sentence bolded for emphasis. Lobbyists aren’t happy. “It’s almost like the ugly girl that you want to call late at night—but don’t want to be seen with on a date,” said one. Nor are Democrats pleased; the ban will make their dinner far less lucrative than its Republican counterpart. (More congressional Democrats stories.)