Quote

There are good people in the lobbying industry. Lobbyists can serve a very useful purpose.

Real lobbying reform must end the practice of corporate lobbyists writing our laws.

I want to make it clear that the lobbying sector does an important job. It is very useful to the government to hear the views of a broad range of groups to make sure we get the best.

In reality, everybody in Congress is a stand-in for some kind of lobbyist. In many cases it's difficult to tell whether it's the companies that are lobbying the legislators or whether it's the other way around.

I have had lobbyists, and I have had some very good ones. They could do anything.

I'm not a lobbyist.

There are a lot of people in Congress who would never have made a great career or fortune in any other profession. But after they spend a while hanging out with the rich guys, they begin to feel they've been undervalued, and that an eventual seven-figure income as a lobbyist isn't just an opportunity, it's their due.

I'm a lobbyist and had a career lobbying. The guy who gets elected or the lady who gets elected president of the United States will immediately be lobbying. They would be advocating to the Congress, they'll be lobbying our allies and our adversaries overseas. They'll be asking the business community and labor unions.

My four years as governor, I never met with a lobbyist once, never. Not one lobbyist got in my office.

The corporations don't have to lobby the government anymore. They are the government.