The Fleecing of America's Magazines
First, "A Washington Tidal Wave," in today's Newsweek:
The real scandal may be how lobbyists fleece their clients, conning them into believing that campaign contributions are essential to protecting their interests in Congress. Abramoff and his cronies played the game with exceptional cynicism.
And, "Lobbyist's Work for Publishers of Magazines Under Scrutiny," in today's Times:
The press has spilled plenty of ink writing about Jack Abramoff, the powerful Washington lobbyist at the center of an extensive corruption scandal. But little noticed is that among Mr. Abramoff's many clients was the press itself, at least part of it. In 2000, he represented the Magazine Publishers Association, and it turns out that some of the association's money may have been funneled to Mr. Abramoff's political allies....
"The magazine association paid at least $1.4 million from 2000 to 2003 to Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds, the lobbying firm where Mr. Abramoff was the chief lobbyist."
The MPA was paying Abramoff to lobby against postal-rate increases. Which makes this not at all surpising: That $1.4 million notwithstanding, postal rates for magazines went up yesterday, after jumping in June 2002, too.
A Washington Tidal Wave [Newsweek]
Lobbyist's Work for Publishers of Magazines Under Scrutiny [NYT]