Candidates differ on lobbyist policies

WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) -- A battle has emerged between Republican presidential hopeful John McCain and rival Democrat Barack Obama over who would overhaul how Washington does business.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that each senator has said he has done the most to protect his campaign from lobbyists' influence, and would continue doing so in the Oval Office.

The newspaper said Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, has done more to prevent lobbyists' participation in his campaign, but both White House contenders have advisers and campaign operatives who have strong ties to those who make a living by influencing politicians.

Obama said he now has no federal lobbyists on his campaign payroll and accepts no donations from lobbyists.

For his part, McCain requires volunteer campaign advisers to disclose any lobbying ties and to agree they will not lobby the candidate or his Senate staff during the race.

The Arizona senator accepts money from lobbyists.

"If not for lobbyists," said Stuart Roy, a strategist for Washington's Prism Public Affairs firm and a former congressional aide, "McCain's campaign would be only half-staffed."