Bailout Watch 578: GM Embraces Publicly-Funded Lobbying

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The Washington Examiner reports that, having previously moved its lobbying efforts to an exclusively in-house arrangement, GM is now hiring outside lobbyists again [UPDATE: GM’s chief in-house lobbyist just retired]. GM has rehired its old lobbying firms the Duberstein Group and Greenberg Traurig, and has added GrayLoeffler to its K-Street roster. GM is also keeping the “well connected” Washington Tax Group on its lobbying payroll, having picked up the firm’s representation in 2007. From these firms, some 18 lobbyists have registered as GM representatives, including a list of what the Wasington Examiner calls “well-connected revolving-door players from both parties.”

Former Reps. William Gray III, D-Pa., and Jim Bacchus, R-Fla., are both on GM retainer, as are fabled Republican and Democratic operatives Ken Duberstein (White House chief of staff under Ronald Reagan) and Michael Berman (counsel to Vice President Walter Mondale and campaign aide to every Democratic presidential nominee since LBJ).

Heading GM’s lobbying push for expanded R&D tax credits is the Washington Tax Group’s Gregory Nickerson, formerly the top lawyer at the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee and the staff director of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. Nickerson’s partner is Mary Ellen McCarthy, formerly the top lawyer at the Senate’s tax-writing Finance Committee.

So what is this all costing taxpayers? GM wouldn’t reveal its exact lobbying budget, but the WashEx explains that

Duberstein Group’s average quarterly fee last quarter was $94,000, while Greenberg Traurig’s was $40,000 and GrayLoeffler’s was $28,000. In the third quarter, GM paid the Washington Tax Group $25,000.

And since GM isn’t making money of its own, these Beltway barons are being paid with public money from GM’s $52b bailout. And GM isn’t just paying these guys for general representation. For a GM IPO to be successful, the Volt will need to be commercially viable. And short of significant consumer tax breaks, there’s not much chance for the 2,900 lb, $40k, compact four-seater EREV. Having already scored a grip of Volt subsidies, including hundreds of millions for its Korean battery supplier, expect GM’s lobbying team to push hard for deeper tax breaks for Volt purchases. Because, as is surely being whispered around the corridors of the Capitol, what’s good for GM is now literally good for America. And if some lobbyists get rich in the process, well, the system must be working.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Skcusmg Skcusmg on Dec 30, 2009

    Ah so now they are using our money against us to further their own interests. I'm shocked! The more things change, the more they stay the same.

  • Odomeater Odomeater on Dec 30, 2009

    This is normal operating procedure for most if not all major corporations that strive to operate in the best interests of the company. This constant GM bashing is getting really old.

  • FreedMike Off topic, but folks, this site is not working well for me from a technical standpoint, and it doesn't matter if I'm using my phone, or my computer (on two different browsers). It locks up and makes it impossible to type anything in after a certain point. Anyone else having these issues?
  • Syke Kinda liked the '57, hated the '58. Then again, I hated the entire '58 GM line except for the Chevrolet. Which I liked better than the '57's. Still remember dad's '58 Impala hardtop, in the silver blue that was used as the main advertising color.
  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
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