Fred talked to AP about his lobbying career, saying “I have no apologies to make about it” and saying of his pro-choice group client and Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide( who he seems to have done very limited work for), “It has nothing to do with one’s political views. Lawyering is a profession and it’s also a business.”
Just a few thoughts. Being a lobbyist is a real problem is you are attempting to feign the role of Washington outsider. Although he initially sounded those themes I suspect that notion has gone by the wayside so the lobbying record may not be the issue it otherwise would have been. As for the lawyering defense, there are two problems. First, he wasn’t lawyering; he was influence peddling and not engaging in any legal advice when he was phoning Sununu or speaking to his former Congressional colleagues. This is simply not the same as a criminal defendant constitutionally entitled to representation. Second, everyone makes choice about how they want to use their time and make money. If it is indeed this is a “business” you as an individual can choose how to spend your time and who gets the benefit of your services. Finally, do I think this is the biggest issue or problem his campaign faces? No, not even close.