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Hunter Biden Quits Lobbyist Work

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September 13, 2008 1:21 PM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe reports: Hunter Biden, son of Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., has quit working as a federal lobbyist.

"I no longer expect to act as a federal lobbyist," he wrote in a letter to the Clerk of the House and the Senate Office of Public Records, released on Friday.

The campaign of Sen. Biden and Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., had come under fire from Republicans for Hunter Biden's work with his lobbyist firm Oldaker, Biden, & Belair. Just this week, more questions were raised about his work for a couple that runs an online gambling business.

Obama, who refuses to accept donations from federal lobbyists, released a new ad Friday targeting his rival Sen. John McCain's lobbyist ties, but Republicans argued that Obama's claims are undermined by Hunter Biden's work.

"This is another example of Obama's words not matching his actions," said Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant. "Obama speaks against special interests, but he doesn't stand up to them, as evidenced by his selection of a Washington insider like Joe Biden. The disconnect between Obama's rhetoric and record undermines any claims to being an agent of 'change' and will hurt him this fall."

Sen. Biden has said in the past that Hunter Biden never lobbied his father's office or committees.

"The McCain campaign and their henchmen at the RNC have broken their own world record for sleaze and scum, attacking the children of the candidates after spending weeks decrying perceived media slights of their own families. Give me a break," responded Biden spokesman David Wade. "Joe Biden's been standing up to the big powerful interests in Washington for 35 years while John McCain has voted their agenda again and again."

"Hunter Biden could've gone anywhere after college but chose the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the inner city, gave up a big job in corporate America to work in public service for the Clinton Administration, and has represented colleges, universities, and hospitals," Wade said. "I'd put his character up against the attack dogs of the McCain campaign any day and come out a winner."

September 13, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (67)

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Obamamoma - You're a good example of a white demographic vote McCain has captured, racist and low information oriented. It's says it all in your name and postings. Enjoy your afternoon of diatribes.

Posted by: kat | Sep 13, 2008 2:20:40 PM

Jayhawk,
To add to your report, here's one from the L.A. Times of 8/28/08:

"The Senator's brother and sons are linked with a law firm that has benefited from his congressional votes.

When Joe Biden's brother and son wanted to buy a hedge fund company two years ago, they turned for financing to a law firm that had lobbied the Delaware senator's office on an important piece of business in Congress-and in fact had recently benefited from his vote. The firm promised James and Hunter Biden that it would invest $2 million, and quickly delivered half of it.

That arrangement eventually fell through, and the firm's money was returned. But the investment highlighted the close ties between the Bidens and SimmonsCooper, an Illinois law firm that specializes in representing asbestos victims-a multimillion-dollar line of business that was under threat in Congress.

In addition to providing financing for the hedge fund deal, SimmonsCooper picked the law firm of another of Biden's sons, Beau, to work with it on dozens of asbestos cases in Delaware.

....And SimmonsCooper employees have donated about $200,000 to Biden's campaign efforts since 2001...."

Posted by: Donoke9_10 | Sep 13, 2008 2:39:51 PM

As a replubican women and a nurse I am thrilled that this organization endorsed Obama. I am sorry I do like Palin and I will can not trust her as a president.


Yesterday, the American Nurses Association officially endorsed Barack Obama for the 2008 Presidential Election. The ANA represents the interests of the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses.

"As President, Barack Obama will bring real change to our health care system," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "Nurses are consistently voted the most trusted profession by the American people, and we, as a profession, trust that Barack Obama will see that affordable quality health care is made available to everyone."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the American Nurses Association," said Sen. Barack Obama.

"The nurses of America serve our country tirelessly, and I share their belief that we must bring affordable and accessible health care to all Americans. My plan lowers health care costs for the average American family by up to $2500 and finally makes health care work better for American families than it does for the drug and insurance companies."

"Both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton spoke at ANA's House of Delegates in June about the need to move forward in unity to bring about real, much needed change to our health care system, and our nursesresponded; 'Yes we can'" Patton added. "Nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals in this country, and working together, we can use our power in the voting booth to make health care a priority, and make Barack Obama the next President of the United States."

Senator Obama is committed to signing universal health legislation by the end of his first term in office that ensures all Americans have high-quality, affordable health care coverage. Barack Obama recognizes that nurses play a critical role in every aspect of patient care, and the nursing shortage ranks as one of the most pressing issues facing our health care system. Obama's health care plan includes expanded funding to improve the primary care and public health practitioner workforce; including loan repayments, improved reimbursement and training grants.

Barack Obama has a history of advocacy for nurses and patients. In the Illinois senate, he helped lead efforts to protect nurses and improve the quality of health care. In the U.S. Senate, he cosponsored the Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act, which limits mandatory overtime for nurses to true emergency situations, and as President, he has promised to sign this important legislation into law.

ANA has been making presidential endorsements since 1984. The endorsement process includes sending a questionnaire on nursing and health care issues to all of the Democratic and Republican candidates, an invitation to all of the democratic and republican candidates for a personal interview and an online survey of ANA's membership regarding which candidate is most supportive of nursing's agenda.

Posted by: Barbra l Leonard | Sep 13, 2008 2:41:06 PM

I'm voting Ron Paul. He's the only republican with real integrity !

Posted by: RonPaulFan | Sep 13, 2008 2:44:52 PM

I'm a republican. Small governments. Keep lobbyists out of washington. Conservative social issues.

I was shocked to see that McCain's entire campaign staff is full of lobbyists. FULL of lobbyists. If he gets elected, he is going to be in the pockets of the special interests. YIKES!

As a republican, I won't vote Obama, but I think I might go for Bob Barr.

Posted by: Repub | Sep 13, 2008 2:47:08 PM

OH isn't that interesting. I'm sure it's just temporary though. I mean we wouldn't want to bring up lobbyist ties now would we? LOL NObama is showing his true colors and it ain't pretty and he's going down, down, down... in a ring of fire.

kat I don't see anybody playing the race card but you

Posted by: Palinrulz | Sep 13, 2008 2:50:49 PM

RonPaulFan

Ron Paul said that Obama is more in line with constitution then McCain is. I urge you to consider Obama has your choice.

And get McCain off the Texas ticket he miss the ballot deadline.

Posted by: MM | Sep 13, 2008 3:02:30 PM

Palinrulz

If you think Bush screwed up the country, look what the Republicans dragged in.

Posted by: MM | Sep 13, 2008 3:04:22 PM

Shame on the Democrat led Congress, for doing nothing
for the past months and just blaming other for their incompetence
regarding our ennergy crisis and let me add the economy too, President Bush
for years has been shouting for alternative energy like Solar, Wind and Nuclear energy
so we do not have to be dependent on foriegn energy but Democrat
San Francisco's Nancy Pelosi and Democrat Nevada's Harry Reid
just keeping on blocking the bill. This is the same Congress and the same party
that Obama belongs to, The DNC(Do Nothing Congess) the worse Congress in US history!!

Posted by: 2nfer | Sep 13, 2008 3:08:39 PM

This is a wonderful article about the Biden's and Sinclair.
http://gianni-socialobservations.blogspot.com/2008/09/troopergate-how-about-sinclairgate.html

Posted by: Dean | Sep 13, 2008 3:31:00 PM

Obama's and Biden's insider chickens are coming home to roost.

Posted by: Woody | Sep 13, 2008 3:39:45 PM

Obama and Biden are Hypocrites!
Obama rails against the oil companies
but he voted in favor of the 2005
giveaway to them! McCain voted against
it!
Obama rails against lobbyist ties, yet
his VP choice Joe Biden has a son,
Hunter who is and has been a lobbyist!
This not only shows Obama's hypocracy but it once again highlights his
Poor Judgement in picking Biden!

Posted by: reaganfan | Sep 13, 2008 4:20:56 PM

Proud of him.Now MCBUSH can ask his campaign leaders to quit also; these are McCains lobbyist working for him now, rick Davis, R. Schenemann, Charlie Black, Frank Donatelli, Nancy Fotenhaver, Wayne Berman,Jhon Green just to mention a few. McCain should syop his lies the truth is out there we are not all stupid like the ones that smile and vote for a lier. This Nation needs a true leader for our people Obama.

Posted by: Betsy | Sep 13, 2008 4:33:41 PM

I think the new Obama ad that makes fun of McCain because of his inability to type on a keyboard after is injuries as a POW is despicable.

From the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000):
McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes.

Obama scares me!

Posted by: MikeCAL | Sep 13, 2008 4:51:48 PM

How nice... he can wait until daddy is the Veep!

Of course he never lobbied his father... but c'mon his business card must have had as a title "Son of the Sen. From Del"

Posted by: diamond lou | Sep 13, 2008 4:52:27 PM

Hillary supporters should support McCain/Palin. If Obama wins, Hillary will not have a solid position in DEM. Obama, Kenndy and Blacks will dominate the party. Hillary will never has a chance to run again!!!

Think about it!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: kerry | Sep 13, 2008 5:11:07 PM

This aft, Zogby just released latest poll/map.... TURNING RED!!

Posted by: Jimbo | Sep 13, 2008 5:34:08 PM

Proud of him??? Now Obama can ask his VP to quit also; these are his lies the truth is out there we are not all stupid like the ones that smile and vote for a liar. This Nation needs a true leader for our people with integrity like McCain!

Posted by: Ed | Sep 13, 2008 5:35:45 PM

Obama is a fake. This year he requested no earmarks, but only after he's running for President. Our very own Obama is a very hideous guy.

Posted by: country voter | Sep 13, 2008 5:49:54 PM

Kerry.

It is NOT JUST an Obama victory that would put Hillary out for "12", those few far right Reps who plan to sit out this election, waiting for a Ronald Regan to pick up the pieces from the Obama four year disaster, are right about one thing. No doubt, an Obama presidency will be a disaster, but some Ronald Regan (Palin?) will come along and be elected in "12". It will NOT be Hillary. Afer Obama, the dems will probably be done for a while.

Posted by: Jimbo | Sep 13, 2008 5:54:43 PM

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