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Tim Carney

Does the RNC really want a corporate lobbyist as chairman?

The last few days have seen plenty of talk about former congressman J.C. Watts as RNC chairman. I liked J.C. Watts’ congressional record. He also was a good interview. He’s youngish. He’s black. All these things are in his favor.

But once he left Congress he became a K Street lobbyist for corporate clients, many of whom were asking the federal government for money. That hardly seems like the future of the GOP.

Watts’s lobbying clients include giants like AT&T, and green-energy companies lobbying for renewable-fuel standards like Syntroleum, plus government contractors like Lockheed Martin. Most of clients seem innocuous — such as NASCAR.

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The Party of Stupid

Good Lt on December 7, 2012 at 11:47 AM

We should have had the replacement debate when Boehners renomination was scheduled.

Valkyriepundit on December 7, 2012 at 11:51 AM

RACIST!!

No, I’m sorry. This is only a black Republican we are talking about.

BigGator5 on December 7, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Of course it sounds like the Republican party. It also sounds like the future of the Republican party.

When we replace the Republican party with a more conservative party, how many of those in the Republican party will join the new party compared to joining the Democrat party? I got a feeling that 70% will join the Democrats rather than be conservative.

astonerii on December 7, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Of course it sounds like the Republican party. It also sounds like the future of the Republican party.

When we replace the Republican party with a more conservative party, how many of those in the Republican party will join the new party compared to joining the Democrat party? I got a feeling that 70% will join the Democrats rather than be conservative.

astonerii on December 7, 2012 at 12:03 PM

In that case, you will lose :(

thebrokenrattle on December 7, 2012 at 12:13 PM

Come on…Lobbyist are people to….just ask Harry and Obama:

On the Money Trail: Lobbyists Are People Too, Reid Says
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Inauguration/story?id=6692815&page=1#.UMIlp1YyaPI

In his historic speech Tuesday morning, President Barack Obama said the era of “protecting narrow interests” is over – an echo of his campaign promise that lobbyists and special interests would lose their clout in his White House. But lobbyists still have defenders in Washington D.C., including one of Obama’s most powerful allies, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada).

Reid invited top lobbyists to join him and his supporters for an inaugural brunch Monday where he told ABC News that he will still do plenty of business with them.

“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” said Reid. “And Obama will be meeting with them too.” When asked to clarify his remarks, given Obama’s promises to change that part of Capitol culture, Reid responded that lobbyists are part and parcel of the job.

“People should understand that lobbyists, per se, are someone’s father, mother, son, daughter,” said Reid. “They work for a living.” The Democratic leader’s sons and a son-in-law have worked as lobbyists.

….just part of that “Hope and Change”

Baxter Greene on December 7, 2012 at 12:25 PM

Of course it sounds like the Republican party. It also sounds like the future of the Republican party.

When we replace the Republican party with a more conservative party, how many of those in the Republican party will join the new party compared to joining the Democrat party? I got a feeling that 70% will join the Democrats rather than be conservative.

astonerii on December 7, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Of course. You think they want to give up the endless largesse that makes up the gravy-train they ride? Most of them are unprincipled hacks who care for nothing but money and power.

Walter Sobchak on December 7, 2012 at 12:38 PM

After watching him on CNN, I don’t think I could stand to listen to anything J.C. Watts says. He basically answered in a self-promoting fashion that supported the liberal media narrative that the GOP is racist and if they don’t accept him in this position then it’s because of “intolerance”. And the interviewer was lapping up those answers. He is a phony. We need someone that will say “If you libtards are so noble and altruistic toward different races and identities, why have you failed them so badly?”

MechanicalBill on December 7, 2012 at 12:43 PM

Wasn’t JC Watts the one that said he might vote for Obama in 2008. I am really starting to think we are the party of stupid, because why do we keep making these people who can’t sell our message and don’t believe in our message- our spokespeople..

http://www.wnd.com/2008/06/67247/

melle1228 on December 7, 2012 at 12:55 PM

This is what he said in 2008:

“I don’t necessarily like his policies; I don’t like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it,” Williams said. “I can honestly say I have no idea who I’m going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that’s incredible.”

Williams added: “Among black conservatives, they tell me privately, it would be very hard to vote against him in November.”

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2008/06/67247/#wjRtIPApaiTYa6WR.99

melle1228 on December 7, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Sorry that was Armstrong Williams who said that.. Misquote

melle1228 on December 7, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Watts said this:

Watts was quoted as saying: “I think all of America can take some pride in this (Barack Obama’s success in getting the Democratic nomination).”

Asked by Hannity if the McCain campaign had courted him, he said: “I’ve not talked to anyone.”

The former Oklahoma congressman criticized the Republican Party for neglecting the black community. Black Republicans, he said, have to concede that while they might not agree with Democrats on issues, at least that party reaches out to them.

“And Obama highlights that even more,” Watts said, adding that he expects Obama to take on issues such as poverty and urban policy. “Republicans often seem indifferent to those things

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2008/06/67247/#wjRtIPApaiTYa6WR.99

melle1228 on December 7, 2012 at 12:57 PM

What is Newt Gingrich up to? He would make a much, much better Chairman than any of these other clowns they’re hawking. Newt can actually go out there and smack the media around.

Punchenko on December 7, 2012 at 1:03 PM

“And Obama highlights that even more,” Watts said, adding that he expects Obama to take on issues such as poverty and urban policy. “Republicans often seem indifferent to those things

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2008/06/67247/#wjRtIPApaiTYa6WR.99

melle1228 on December 7, 2012 at 12:57 PM

Watts is another paid actor for Conservative Inc. like Steele and others. We could do without him.

Punchenko on December 7, 2012 at 1:16 PM

But once he left Congress he became a K Street lobbyist for corporate clients, many of whom were asking the federal government for money. That hardly seems like the future of the GOP.

Seems like the recent past, present and future of the GOP to me.

Joey24007 on December 7, 2012 at 1:19 PM