Why Dems Must Crackdown on Lobbyists

I have argued in the past that the national Democratic Party has a real opportunity to become the party of reform - if it takes Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer's (D) lead and supports a lobbying/ethics reform package in Congress and in states throughout America. And today, the Denver Post published a story that supports my thesis.

The paper notes that lobbyists trying to influence the Colorado legislature "have earned more than $7.5 million so far this year, sending some of the most influential people at the statehouse well on their way to another year of record earnings." A comprehensive review of lobbyist records "shows that the special interests got their money's worth" - killing a series of bills aimed at protecting taxpayers and standing up for the middle class.

With lobbyist scandals still swirling around people like House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), the time is ripe for Democrats to strike and nationalize this issue. It strikes to the heart of a new populist agenda, as it perfectly encapsulates how Corporate America has allied itself with corrupt politicians to rob America's government away from ordinary people.

But make no mistake about it - that will require a complete change of attitude from the insulated Democratic party Establishment - many of whose members (let's be honest) have been embarrasingly milking the system themselves. The Democrats need to take this seriously, change their own behavior (which is still much better than the GOP), and not just pay lip service to it. They need a federal lobbyist/ethics reform package, and they need statewide initiatives like the one Gov. Schweitzer will be pushing to galvanize the electorate. The Republicans are vulnerable - will the Democrats step up to the plate?