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The lobbyist as puppet master
Posted On:Jan 30, 2008
But I’m interested in what you think. Did Puckett do something wrong?
I’ve spoken with ethicists at the Poynter Institute and Washington and Lee. Both believe there was an ethical lapse here, but have divergent views on the seriousness of the offense. At any rate, it appears this sort of behavior is pretty common for lawmakers, both on the state and national level. The message seems to be don’t get caught.
When you read a column with a lawmaker’s byline, is there an expectation that the lawmaker actually wrote it? Or is he merely signing off on someone else’s work? Does it make it worse that a lobbyist rather than a legislative aid wrote the piece?
What should happen to Puckett as a result?
Posted by Andrea Hopkins Back to the blog »
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Ken ) on January 30, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I’m probably in the minority but I don’t expect anything presented by a politician or celebrity to be their own work. Most either don’t have the training or the time to write what they send out as their own. I only hope that the politician or celebrity has carefully read the writing and it accurately reflects their thoughts and beliefs before it is used.
I had a relative that was a lobbyist in Washington for many years and he had input in some legislation presented in congress. He would assist politicians or their aids with legislation when the politician agreed with the position he was representing.
I expect their books to be ghostwritten and their speeches to be written for them. If a typical politician gets off of their talking points they were given to read, they get a deer in the headlights look.
I don’t highly respect or expect a lot from politicians but I always hope to be pleasantly surprised.
Posted by ( RD ) on January 31, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Andrea: I am surprised an intelligent and artistic communicator such as yourself would label a respected Senator who has worked very hard for the people of Southwest Virginia as a “puppet” simply because he did not sit down at his computer or with a pen and paper and physically write an article he signed.
He made no bones about the fact he approved the article and authorized his signature. Surely you don’t think the legislators have time to write all the things they attach their names to.
Do you think the President of the United States writes his own speeches? This is fast track world now - let’s be realistic in how it works.