Politics

How Big Pharma Got Their Special Deal

By Sunlight Foundation & Participatory Politics Foundation

Our colleague Paul Blumenthal, blogging at Sunlight Foundation Blog, tells the story of how a President who ran for office on his rejection of insider-lobbyist culture in Washington ends up, within one year of taking office, striking a secret deal with a giant lobbying firm that ultimately contributes to the downfall of his signature policy priority.

It involves all of the plot elements you would expect, including:

• The revolving door
• Campaign contributions
• An army of lobbyists
• Closed door meetings
• Special-interest advocacy
• Private industry as the fourth branch of government

It’s a must read, so read it.

Full post as published by Open Congress on February 12, 2010 (boomark / email).