REVOLVING DOOR

Ex-Congressman Open About Cashing In

Former lawmaker touts doors he can open in D.C.

Jan 11, 2013 by David Mark

Editor-in-Chief t

Then-Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) being sworn-in ceremonially in 2011 by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH). Image: AP.

Give ex-Rep. Steve Rothman points for candor. The NJ Democrat, who left office in early January, is "joining the local law firm of Sills Cummis to lead their new defense industry lobbying group," notes David Nir of Daily Kos Elections.

"My experience with defense issues and my familiarity with how to get one's foot in the door for consideration at the Pentagon stems from my eight years as a member of the House appropriations subcommittee on defense - a 25-person subcommittee that recommends all of the military spending for the U.S."

Former members of Congress are usually a bit more coy about how they plan to earn a living in the private sector. Lobbying jobs are euphemistically called "government relations". But "for once, a former politician is being forthright about exactly what he's up to," Nir writes.

Rothman, 60, served 16 years in the House. But he lost a bruising member-vs.-member primary last year to fellow Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell.

Via Daily Kos Elections.

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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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It's always a Democrat. Gee, I wonder why? No, actually I don't wonder, simply because I know why. Carry on.
- B3 • Vote Up r19 Replies
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Jan '13

Dan_Tien

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Are you saying that Republicans don't cash in on their government positions, or that they just lie about doing it?
- B3 • Vote Up
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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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@Dan_Tien - I'm saying I'm not surprised that Steve Rothman wants to cash in on his congressional connections and get paid to be a lobbyist sucking more money from the government teat.
- B2 • Vote Up
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Jan '13

Denizen_Kate

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Really, Neo? Republicans never sell out, or cash in, or take lobbying jobs after serving in congress? Really?
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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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@Denizen_Kate - What Steve Rothman is planning to do is so sad. So, so, so very sad.
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Jan '13

Libertyiskey

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What about Jack Abramoff?
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Jan '13

DARSB

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Seems like business as usual. http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/departin...
- B Vote Up r3 Replies
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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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It shouldn't be that way. We had a chance to clean house back a couple of months ago and we voted for business as usual. So truly sad...
- B2 • Vote Up
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Jan '13

DARSB

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@Neo_NtheMatrix But Neo, had the voters decided to "clean house" that would just make a bunch more ex-Congress types looking for work as lobbyists. ;)
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Jan '13

thejimbo

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@DARSB I think Neo has found himself up a blind alley, hasn't he?
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Jan '13

Keyjo

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You mean it's always a Democrat who is forthcoming? Not always, although the Republicans are the sneaker snakes.
- B2 • Vote Up r1 Reply
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Jan '13

thejimbo

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....on what scale, Keyjo?
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Jan '13

Dan_Tien

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I guess this means that he will be lobbying against ending the US involvement in Afghanistan. Peace is bad for the profit margin.
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Jan '13

jjme9

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never thought term limits was a good idea, but the last few decades they (pols) have been to in your face (our face)
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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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I love the idea of term limits. Steve Rothman spent too much time in Congress learning how to cheat the system.
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Jan '13

jessejaymes

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Business as usual. Both parties are corrupt to the core.
- B2 • Vote Up
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Jan '13

Denizen_Kate

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OMG! A politician being honest about his dishonesty! Will this nightmare never end?

In other news, water has been found to be wet.
- B1 • Vote Up r4 Replies
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Jan '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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The nightmare could have ended if we all cleaned house way back in November. Instead we reelected the same crooks and liars. So sad, so very truly sad...
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Jan '13

Denizen_Kate

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@Neo_NtheMatrix - How long are going to keep milking that one? LMBO!
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Jan '13

SignifiedNBlue

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Its been done for so long, and not stopped that, hell why not openly admit it now!
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Jan '13

thejimbo

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@Neo_NtheMatrix What shall we do two years from now?
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Jan '13

FollowTheMoney

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Hell yes, it bothers me. But it serves as just another example of what's wrong with our government, Legislation and Litigation for profit.
- B3 • Vote Up r2 Replies
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Jan '13

thejimbo

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"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators."
- P. J. O'Rourke
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Jan '13

FollowTheMoney

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@jamesmitchell Ain't that the truth.
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Jan '13

artjeb

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Remember some yrs ago law was past that any member of congress leaves office or resigns they were by law prohibited becoming a lobbist for a 2 yrs ? Any one want to bet it will be forgotten ?
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Jan '13

idiot

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We are not stupid. They only make $150,000.oo and they are the richest people in the world. I want the same insider info so i can invest with them, freaken genius.
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Jan '13

Mogal

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The old song "Love for Sale" ran through my head while I was reading the article, for some odd reason.
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Jan '13

Food4thoughts

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I read this article and the first thing that comes to my mind is Eisenhower's military industrial complex speech :-/
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Jan '13

Raptor

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Just another republican politician who sold out! Were is the surprise in that?
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Jan '13

Raptor

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Excuse me, I ment to say politician, my bad.
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Jan '13

lawnmowrman

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Congress could pass law to use the revolving door to help pay the national debt. Why not charge lobbyists by the hour say a billion $ an hour?
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Jan '13

bsking

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Yeah be nice if they made a rule once you're out of Congress of your voted out are you resign you cant come back ever you cant come back to the city. that's it you're banished
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Jan '13

BelinKS

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He is not in office anymore. He is free to chose how he makes his living now and is being forthright and honest about it. There will always be lobbyist trying to get their agendas recognized by the legislators. He lost his seat to another democrat. He may be very familiar about how to get your foot in the door. That does not mean the current legislators will let him. His decision of career will just have to play out to see if he still has the clout he thinks he does. In my opinion, he does not.
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Jan '13

cpeter133

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Having made his venality so clear, chances are that he won't be getting his foot in the door now. Anything he tries will be scrutinized to death by the press...which is the exact opposite of what a lobbyist or congress wants.
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Jan '13

harold_lloyd

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This is one of those issues where congresspersons benefit, but only congresspersons can fix it.
It demonstrates who they really work for.

If you want this to stop, we'll need a law that forbids congresspersons and their staffs from taking employment with any firm that was the subject of legislation or regulation during the congressman's term in office for five years after he leaves that office..

Otherwise this is what happens...
https://www.youtube.com/watch...
- B1 • Vote Up
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Jan '13

armed_liberal

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Our government was sold to oil companies and defense contractors a long time ago.
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Jan '13

MadAmerican

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That's why they spend millions to get a $174,000.00 a year job. Politics, power, and yes millions in under the table dealings.
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