WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., says he isn't tied to lobbyists, but his fundraising team lists members of law firms paid to lobby the government, records show.
Those lawyers, including 10 former federal lobbyists, pledged to raise at least $3.5 million for Obama's presidential race, USA Today reported Wednesday. Employees of their firms have given Obama's campaign $2.26 million, the report said.
While on the stump, Obama would note he is "the only candidate who isn't taking a dime from Washington lobbyists." Lobbyists are raising money for both Democratic contender Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
"It makes no difference whether the person is a registered lobbyist or the partner of a registered lobbyist, if the person is raising money to get access or curry favor," said Michael Malbin, director of Campaign Finance Institute, a non-partisan think tank.
Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said the candidate's refusal to take money from lobbyists "isn't a perfect solution or symbol, (but) it does reflect Obama's record of trying to change the way Washington does business."
