Federal lobbyists kick in close to $20,000 to Hulshof campaign

When is a lobbyist not a lobbyist?

When he contributes to Kenny Hulshof's campaign for governor.

Hulshof's second quarter disclosure form, filed Tuesday with the Missouri Ethics Commission, shows he accepted at least $19,475 from 17 federal lobbyists, with only one listed as a lobbyist.

Among those contributing to Hulshof were:

-Sarcoxie native Tony Feather, $1,350, listed as a consultant for FLS (Feather, Larson & Synhorst): Feather, Larson, and Synhorst has done lobbying work for AT&T, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, General Motors, and the Teamsters. A recent Washington Post article described Feather as a friend of Karl Rove, and a close advisor to the Bush White House. FLS has specialized in creating third party front groups to make it appear that issues have grass roots appeal.

-The Leonard Group, $1,200, listed by its name, is a lobbying firm.

-Diane Miller, Alexandria, Va., $500, is a lobbyist for the DCI group, which works closely with Tony Feather's FLS. She is listed as "retired."

-Gregg Hartley, $1,350, listed as "Cassidy & Associates." Hartley is the former chief of staff for Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt, and Cassidy & Associates is one of the most powerful lobbying firms in Washington. Hartley was featured in a recent edition of Harper's talking about his efforts on behalf of the dictatorship in Equitorial Guinea. Consider this passage from the article: "The proof: 'Three years ago,' Hartley said, 'Parade Magazine had ranked Obiang (the dictator of Equitorial Guinea) as the world's sixth worst dictator,' grimacing as he stated that last word. 'He's still not a great guy,' he went on, 'but he's not in the top 10 any more, and we can take some credit for helping them figure out how to work down that list. Is he going to win a humanitarian award next year? No, he's not, but we're making progress.' "

-Holly Feraci, Alexandria, Va., $1,350, listed as "Greenberg Traurig," is that firm's director of governmetal affairs (lobbyist). Greenberg Traurig, you may recall, was th firm Jack Abramoff was working for during that recent scandal.

-Manning Feraci, $1,350, is Hulshof's former chief of staff, and is now the vice president of federal affairs for the trade lobbying group, the National Biodiesel Board. Feraci is listed as "National Biodiesel Board" on the Ethics Commission document.

-John Ashford, Alexandria, Va., $1,275, listed as Hawthorn Group vice president of public affairs: The Hawthorn Group's lobbying clients have included Commonwealth Atlantic Properties, Environmental Technology Council, Partners for Environmental Protection, and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

-Marc Lampkin, McLean Va., $500, is listed as "DCI Group."

-Mary Rosado, Alexandria, Va., $1,350, listed as "Express Scripts," is the vice president for government affairs at the pharmacy benefit company.

-Miller Wenhold Capitol Strategies, Fairfax, Va., two contributions totaling $2,550, is a lobbying firm which has a client list that includes Career Gear, Adams Marketing, Modular Building Institute, National Office Products Alliance, and Silver Users Association.

-Paul Miller, Alexandria, Va., listed as "Miller Wenhold Capitol Strategies," $1,200. Miller is past president of the American League of Lobbyists.

-David Wenhold, Woodbridge, Va., listed as "Miller Wenhold Capitol Strategies," $500.

-Daniel Scherder, Vienna, Va., listed as "Compressus executive," has worked as a lobbyist.

-Jack Buechner, $300: Buechner is a former Missouri Congressman who has spent most of the time since he left the House working as a lobbyist. He is listed with his law firm name, "Anderson, Kill & Olick."

-Jill Hamilton, Fairfax, Va., $1,350, listed as "Sustainable Energy Strategies Biofuels Consultant." According to the Sustainable Energy Strategies Biofuels website, Ms. Hamilton "provides liaison between the public, private, and government contact."

-Larry Schafer, Washington, D. C., $1,350, is listed as "Renewable Fuels Association legislative counsel. Schafer is the former lead lobbyist for the National Council of Farm Cooperatives.

-Timothy Tryska, Washington, D. C., $1,000, is listed as "Alston & Bird LLP." Tryska, a one-time legislative aide to former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer, R-Texas, is described in newspaper articles as a "lobbyist for Alston & Bird."

In addition to the federal lobbyists' contributions, the Hulshof campaign also received a considerable amount of cash from registered Missouri lobbyists, only one of whom was described as a lobbyist in the Ethics Commission documents. That will be explored in a post later today.