Lobbyists

Re "Too bad for true clunkers," Aug. 13 Nothing has changed in Washington when it comes to Congress and lobbyists. The "cash for clunkers" program was a great idea that was good for people, our environment and the auto companies. But somehow the lobbyists for the Specialty Equipment Market Assn. convinced Congress to put age limits on trade-ins. Money talks, and the poor and middle class lose. Many people who have cars older than 25 years need a cash infusion so that they can purchase a more economical car that is more fuel-efficient and produces less pollution.

Re "GOP legislator quits over taped sex comments," Sept. 10 Regarding the resignation of Assemblyman Michael Duvall, Assembly Republican leader Sam Blakeslee is quoted as saying: "I am terribly disappointed by the situation surrounding Assemblyman Duvall's comments. The statements he made were inappropriate and unacceptable." With all due respect, Assemblyman Blakeslee, the problem is not with ex-Assemblyman Duvall's comments -- the problem is with his actions. The man's behavior was ethically atrocious: unethical with respect to the legislative process, unethical with respect to the taxpayers and, of course, unethical with respect to his wife and family.

Re "Reporters' access restricted," Oct. 15 The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors should read the U.S. Constitution allowing freedom of the press. Why is the board restricting access? Is there something to hide? If lobbyists and union representatives are entitled to conduct business in hallways during board meetings, then the journalists should be too. It is increasingly important for reporters to have access to local politicians. Supervisors are rarely in the spotlight. We need the information provided by newspapers to keep us updated and politicians honest.

Artie Samish never ran for public office, but for decades he was one of the most powerful -- and colorful -- players in California politics. Before California had a full-time Legislature and when special interests could quietly give unlimited amounts of money to elect favored candidates, he was a consummate string-puller, a hired gun working for the highest pay.

Even though he has come under investigation for his ties to a lobbyist whose clients have benefited from millions of dollars in congressional earmarks, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) was among the top lawmakers securing money for special projects in this year's spending bills, a watchdog group's analysis has found. Lewis, the senior Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, secured $137 million in earmarks on his own or working with other lawmakers.

Aides to Sen. John McCain confronted a telecommunications lobbyist in late 1999 and asked her to distance herself from the Arizona senator during the presidential campaign he was about to launch, according to one of McCain's longest-serving political strategists. John Weaver, who was McCain's closest confidant until leaving his presidential campaign last year, told the Washington Post that he met with Vicki Iseman at a cafe in Union Station in Washington and urged her to stay away from McCain.

Sen. John McCain strongly denied allegations Thursday that he was warned during his first White House campaign, in 2000, to avoid meetings with a female telecommunications lobbyist who allegedly claimed to have special access to the senator and his aides. McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, denied any improper relationship with the woman, Vicki Iseman, whom he called a friend.

Broadcaster Lowell "Bud" Paxson on Friday contradicted statements from Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign that the senator did not meet with Paxson or his lobbyist Vicki Iseman before sending two controversial letters to the Federal Communications Commission on Paxson's behalf. Paxson said he talked with McCain (R-Ariz.) in his Washington office several weeks before McCain wrote the 1999 letters urging a rapid decision on Paxson's quest to acquire a Pittsburgh television station.

The Justice Department's corruption probe into the far-flung dealings of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has ensnared one of its own. Robert E. Coughlin II was charged in federal court Monday with violating federal conflict-of-interest laws by aiding a lobbyist and an unnamed lobbying firm -- believed to be Abramoff's -- while serving in the department's office of legislative affairs between 2001 and 2003. According to the document filed in U.S.