Litigation

Washington Post Examines Interest Group Influence in Sotomayor Nomination

By Jason Barrett

An article in yesterday’s Washington Post examines the current state of interest group influence, highlighted by the differences between conservative and liberal interest group’s efforts with regard to President Obama’s Supreme Court pick.  While efforts supporting Judge Sonia Sotomayor seemed smooth and well-planned, efforts to oppose her confirmation were thwarted by infighting and disagreements over talking points.

Liberal special interest groups formed an early alliance in support of Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation, and by joining forces were able to mount a six-figure ad buy on network television within hours of the nomination. In contrast, conservative interest groups, unable to agree on a strategy, made no major ad buy.

The Sotomayor nomination battle is just one example of the ascendancy of liberal interest group domination in Washington following President Obama’s election. Liberals are reaping the benefits both in terms of increased political capital, and increased earnings. According to the Post, many left-leaning lobbying firms are posting record earnings despite the down economy.

Full post as published by The Gavel on June 04, 2009 (boomark / email).