St. Paul, Minn. — DFL Senate candidate Al Franken is out with a new television ad calling for an end to politicians becoming lobbyists.
In his latest ad, Franken says Congress should not debate how long Representatives and Senators have to wait to become lobbyists after leaving office. Instead, Franken says they should pass an all-out ban on lobbying for former members of Congress.
And to bolster his case, Franken ties his lobby ban proposal to perhaps the biggest political issue of the moment.
"Right now hundreds of former Senators and Congressman are lobbying for big oil and special interests. No wonder gas is at four dollars a gallon. I'm Al Franken in Washington. I'll fight for a new law to prevent members of Congress from ever becoming lobbyists," said Al Franken.
In a fund raising message to supporters, the Franken campaign says its new ad will begin running today.
Republican incumbent Norm Coleman's latest ad features Coleman's wife saying that her husband is not influenced by special interests.
Egad. The only thing worse than lobbyist written laws would be the Congressionally written laws. Is there an argument here? Why should former public servants lose the right to pursue lucrative lobbying careers? Would such a ban, which obviously has no (and I mean absolutely zip zero none) chance of ever becoming law, be constitutional under the First Amendment? My gut reaction would be no, but I haven't completely thoght it through.
In any event, it's a stupid idea on its face. Not all that surprising given our choices for Senator in Minnesota this election year.
