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Katrina Swett, Registered Washington Lobbyist

by: Dean Barker

Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 06:59:32 AM EDT
DiStaso does journalism:
Swett's name is listed on a 1997 federal Lobbying Registration form for Dick Swett Associates, Inc., in a section requiring the "name and title of each employee of the registrant who has acted or is expected to act as a lobbyist for the client."

...Another form, a Lobbying Report filed in 1999, lists the registrant firm as "Katrina Swett Associates (formerly Dick Swett Associates)." The form was signed by chief operating officer Shireen Tilley.

...Based on those forms, the Swetts were described as registered lobbyists in a 2007 report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. The Swett Associates website archive from 2007 lists "government relations" as chief among its services, with clients including the U.S. State Department, Design Futures Council, Computer Generated Solutions, Hans Christian Andersen Foundation, Gold Coast Innovation Center, Raytheon, Guardian Industries and EUA Cogenex.

But do click the link to read the painful pretzel logic Dr. Swett uses to explain this away.

Here's the thing.  This wouldn't have been much of a story.  But Katrina Swett spent the summer going negative on Kuster for her work in New Hampshire. It's been a one-note campaign.

When Kuster spent yesterday outlining her clean energy jobs plan, Team Swett simply hit send on yet another negative LOBBYIST!!!1! release, to use just one of many examples.

Credibility matters for voters.  
Dean Barker :: Katrina Swett, Registered Washington Lobbyist
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Katrina Swett, Registered Washington Lobbyist | 51 comments
Lobbying for PhRMA is not a good thing (4.00 / 2)
Sorry Colin, but PhRMA has maintained the status quo on preventing drugs from losing their patent protections and keeping prices high.

As a physician, I do not consider PhRMA a friend of my patients, although admittedly not everything they do is evil.

[For the record I am neutral in this race]

who you gonna believe, me or your lyin' eyes? (0.00 / 0)
This reminds me of many dodges... the kid caught in his room with a bong...'its not mine I am just holding it for a friend', or 'its a science experiment for school'.
More relevantly it reminds me of the incident in 1996 where some young staffers on the Swett Senate campaign were accused of falsifying signatures on a ballot petition during a primary, but were 'disappeared' so they couldn't give testimony to the people investigating. It completely besmirched them, while the controlling legal authority was in the clear because he/she had plausible deniability. Nothing was ever written down. It would have been helpful to act that way here too. Blaming the staffer, or some 'secretary' is just a convenient excuse.

http://www.theunionleader.com/...
Van Ostern countered, "There are more than 16,000 New Hampshire citizens who've received free medicine in their time of need because of the medication bridge program that Annie Kuster helped create" as a lobbyist for PhRMA. "After being exposed for dishonestly concealing her own history as a lobbyist, Katrina Swett should know better than to try to twist her opponent's record as well."

snip

Also in May, Swett's campaign manager told NHPolitics.com, "Katrina has never lobbied at any level."
The Swett camp recently sent out a mailer saying she will "stand up to corporate lobbyists."

(Katrina)Swett's name is listed on a 1997 federal Lobbying Registration form for Dick Swett Associates, Inc., in a section requiring the "name and title of each employee of the registrant who has acted or is expected to act as a lobbyist for the client."

Swett's husband, former congressman and ambassador Dick Swett, signed the form as the firm's president, while Katrina Swett was listed as vice president.

snip

Another form, a Lobbying Report filed in 1999, lists the registrant firm as "Katrina Swett Associates (formerly Dick Swett Associates)." The form was signed by chief operating officer Shireen Tilley.

Congressional Quarterly's Political MoneyLine lists the Swett firm as having received $10,000 in 1999 and $21,620 in 1998 from the M.A. Berman Co.

Based on those forms, the Swetts were described as registered lobbyists in a 2007 report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.



When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST
That is true... (0.00 / 0)
Not only is it true that Katrina Swett's campaign told us that she never lobbied before, I asked both Katrina and Dick Swett immediately after she signed up in the SOS office if she had ever lobbied, and even addressed what some of your posters said on this site about how Swett Associates held themselves out.  

Both Dick and Kartina were emphatic that did not mean lobbying government agencies in any way.  I had already posted our story and just let it drop there.  

Your story troubles me, but only to the point about the Swetts.  If people on this site find comfort in Kuster's major lobbying activity, almost 300k personally, and being partners in one of the largest Republican lead lobbying firms in Concord which raked in almost 1 million dollars from which all partners would profit from, I think you are mistaken.

But yes.  NHPolitics.com was told not only by Kartina's campaign, but also right from Katria herself, and Dick too, that there was nothing in Swett Associates activities that could be construed as lobbying.  

In good faith we dropped the story.

[ Parent ]
DD Pinnochio alert (0.00 / 0)
http://www.bluehampshire.com/v...

"No. Katrina Swett has never been a registered lobbyist.  This is a matter of public record.Case closed.Drop it."


When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

the temptation to cut-and-paste all DD's self-righteous cant about lobbying here is a strong one n/t (4.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]
honestly (4.00 / 3)
He is a good guy, and when its over he will play ball for the home team. Loyalty in politics is a rare currency. He worked for Tom in D.C. and Swett campaigns in NH while at Dartmouth.

I fully expect he will keep his word and work for Annie's election. Having a Democrat in the 2nd CD is too important to his agenda.

I see this like the Primary we went through for President.We let it all hang out, but when it was over we pulled the wagons in a circle and elected Obama, Lynch, Hodes, Shea Porter, Larsen, Norelli, Pignatelli, Shea, and Hollingsworth.
C'mon let's do it again.



When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

[ Parent ]
Thanks, buddy (4.00 / 3)
As I have noted many times, I will proudly support Annie in the fall if she becomes the nominee.

And I know that you will do the same for Katrina.

[ Parent ]
Except, of course,, (0.00 / 0)
that Lynch endorsed Odell in Senate 8.
[ Parent ]
Which leads me to ask again, is the Tony Lynch of (0.00 / 0)
Odell, Simms and Lynch related to John?
[ Parent ]
That statement was accurate n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
This is my favorite part- (4.00 / 3)
Swett said that in her role for the firm, "I helped run the business but was not really sort of involved with Dick's clients, per se."

So she was not really sort of a lobbyist, per se. Thanks for the clarification!

because who is to doubt the American Way is not the way?

Methinks Thou Dost Protest Too Much (4.00 / 1)
Looking beneath Swett's relentless lashing out at Kuster, the reason seems clear.

Who is perceived as being the corporate chosen candidate? Katrina Swett.

She is widely and correctly recognized as the very epitome of being in the pocket of Washington/corporate power interests.

A classic case of the pot calling kettle black.

NH deserves better.  

No'm Sayn?

Widely perceived by whom? (0.00 / 0)
Who is perceived as being the corporate chosen candidate? Katrina Swett.

She is widely and correctly recognized as the very epitome of being in the pocket of Washington/corporate power interests.

By Burt Cohen's fantasies, perhaps.  

I don't the the DC "corporate power interests" are to into a candidate who is a 100% labor supporter with a commitment to campaign finance reform, expanding access to health care, and protecting the environment.

[ Parent ]
"Lobbying" Is An Honest Profession... (4.00 / 7)
...and it is the occasional dishonest lobbyist I have a problem with.  Through the years, there are six lobbyists in State Government who I have absolutely refused to talk with or listen to -- if I'm deceived on the facts of an issue just one time, that cuts my respect.  Others I've had some disagreements with, but most all I respect and I appreciate the work they do.

The question is not whether a candidate is or has been, or ever registered as a "lobbyist."  It's what they advocate, what their positions are on issues, and whether they're honest.

We're not voting for "Pope" or "King" or "Best Looking" or "Most Friendly" for any of these offices.  A years-ago DWI or bankruptcy should be weighed with the good of a person.  Just like we shouldn't consider someone who is a cook, or owner of a cleaning business, or stay-at-home Dad or Mom any less capable of serving in office than a lawyer or someone who might have never held a paying job or started a business but instead inhereted money and contributed to society in other positive ways.  

We see some people elected just because of the way they look or their ability to smile, or some campaign consultant's Marshmallow ads.  Let's spend more time judging candidates on how they're going to serve.  While records and backgrounds are certainly important, what I'm more concerned about when I vote for people is what I think they're going to do rather than what they tell me they done.  Otherwise we'd just be voting by resume, and a computer program could be designed to do that.  

Well said. (4.00 / 1)
Let's hope then that this episode lets the Swett campaign focus on issues going forward.

From Friday to Monday I counted - without even really looking around much - no less than five links to either press releases or media articles where the Swett campaign featured lobbying front and center.  That is no accident.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

[ Parent ]
Actually, one tiny quibble, now that I think of it. (4.00 / 1)
I would not put DWI and bankruptcy in the same category.

A DWI for me would factor to a degree into the things I would weigh on support, a bankruptcy would not.  But suum cuique!

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

[ Parent ]
LOL. (4.00 / 1)
I swear I did not know the below before I wrote the above:

According to Portsmouth District Court records, Binnie was arrested by Rye police on a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated - first offense on Oct. 25, 1998. Binnie, then 40, was arraigned two months later, and on Jan. 13, 1999, the charge was dismissed.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/...

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

[ Parent ]
It's combining Lobbying With Public Service That's the Problem (0.00 / 0)
Jim, you are both right and wrong.  Sure lobbying is a job.  It pays the bills.  They represent their clients, both good and bad.  Kuster was or is Partners with Tom Rath and their customers are good and bad, from my view.

It's when you try and mix that with public service that it gets very unpredictable.  

These firms go after public servants from both parties.  Kuster benefited from HMO and drug companies, and financial institutions, oh you've seen the list here on this site, from being lobbied every which way.  She wasn't just a lobbyist.  She was a partner profiting from ALL clients.  Her business interests were devoid of any conviction.  That is evident in both her person client base, and the client base for the whole firm from which she profited.

Tread carefully you guys.  You're in for a very big disappointment relying on that type of personality structure.

These lobbying folks have all their bases covered and it really at best retards, and at worst prevents, constructive change.

That's my two cents, anyhow.  I'm in district 1.  I voted for Porter in the general every time because she didn't owe anybody anything.  Period.  If your story is right there is no one like that in 2.  That's too bad.

Bob Jean

[ Parent ]
I agree that issues matter. (4.00 / 1)
You can't compare a lobbyist for KBR to a lobbyist for ACLU.

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

[ Parent ]
You are all ignoring PhRMA (0.00 / 0)
That is indefensible, IMHO, although Annie has lobbied for many admirable groups.

I think people are picking at straws - it made sense for Katrina to register as a lobbyist for her husband's business - she knows many people in Congress and who knows what kind of situations she could find herself in.

Whether she said she is or isn't a lobbyist is irrelevant.

Annie's lobbying for PhRMA is a red flag. They can be very evil.

[For the record I am neutral in this race]

Credibility is irrelevant? (0.00 / 0)
Trust is the number one issue for voters, imo.

The entire raison d'etre of the Swett campaign strategy has been to target Kuster's former employment, while Katrina has depicted herself as not a part of that world.  

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

[ Parent ]
ruse de guerre (0.00 / 0)
not raison d'etre

not my favorite strategy, but the drug thing does bother me

[ Parent ]
BFD (0.00 / 0)
What will Bass say about Annie's clients if she wins.

You can't ignore this.

[ Parent ]
How could I or anyone ignore it? (0.00 / 0)
Bass' oppo research is already done. It's been rolled out ceaselessly in this primary by Annie's competitor. Which is all well and good to have sooner than later.

As for Annie and health care related issues, I'm down with everything here.

As for the BassMaster, he has his own Big Oil and Big Tobacco ties to worry about. As well as his support for Bush tax cuts and the Iraq war, and pretty much anything W. wanted with just a few exceptions.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

[ Parent ]
How could ignore Annie;s PhRMA work? (0.00 / 0)
Much more damaging, IMHO.
[ Parent ]
Not exactly (0.00 / 0)
Bass' oppo research is already done. It's been rolled out ceaselessly in this primary by Annie's competitor.

Dean, speaking for myself, everything that I put on this site has been about two clicks -- Boston Globe, Concord Monitor, the Secretary of State's web site and a state contributions database.  (I have deliberately avoided use news aggregator services or reaching out to non-doccumented sources.)  Annie's lobbying clients are public records.  It's hard to blame the Swett campaign for citing material that Charlie's elderly father could probably find on the Internet.

And, given your relentless negative diaries about Katrina, I find your double standard more than a bit interesting.

[ Parent ]
I should have known better than to expect a simple "I was wrong." n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Well. . . (0.00 / 0)
I could have predicted that you would have avoided the topic in favor of gratuitous insults, but the odds on that are about 100%.  So no credit for that.
[ Parent ]
"gratuitous insults?" (0.00 / 0)
where? and as for avoiding the topic, I can't possibly imagine what I would add to what I said before here.
[ Parent ]
Credit where due (0.00 / 0)
Anyone looking for opposition research on Bass should call DD, and I hope whoever wins the primary does just that. Really.

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

[ Parent ]
Thanks, Doug (4.00 / 1)
I gave my Swett '02 research papers on Charlie to the NHDP months ago.  Whoever wins the primary can find them there.
[ Parent ]
as opposed to Raytheon? n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
I feel as though this battle is getting dangerous... (4.00 / 2)
in the sense that I'm feeling a little depressed about both candidates. Am I going to be left with a corporate-DC-fauxDemocrat either way?

Let's not bring either of these women down anymore. We know that both candidates have voiced strong support for progressive ideals, and if we continue to blog about their past follies then that is what the media will focus on as well. The whole Lobbyist-Lieberman conversation is exhausted, and we know where we all stand. Let's get back to the positive, and hope that the campaigns and media follow.

However, it's a free blog, and I don't want to come off as if I'm preaching or trying to limit discussion. I'm just concerned by the way this ongoing battle is wearing on my enthusiasm and attitude about our candidates.

because who is to doubt the American Way is not the way?

Only one "corporate-DC-faux" candidate: Charlie Bass (0.00 / 0)
We have two strong candidates in this race.  Both have strong progressive accomplishments.  Both have issues that they'd rather not have raised in a Democratic primary.  So be it.

Re: your suggestion. . . . When I made a similar offer last month -- to stop arguing about the past on both sides -- I was called a terrorist and other fun names.  And I understand.  We are all so passionate about our candidates, and so frustrated by criticism against them, that (a) we are reluctant to trust each other, and (b) we are equally reluctant to take options off the table.

So let's put one on (see comment below in about 10 minutes).

[ Parent ]
I would have thought (0.00 / 0)
an Ivy League grad would know the difference between an "offer" and a "threat."

[ Parent ]
Proposal #2 -- A Joint Diary (4.00 / 2)
I would like to propose a joint diary to be published on Blue Hampshire by (a) a Kuster-supporting Managing Editor/Contributing Writer, and (b) me, as the most active Swett backer left on this blog.  The diary will be entitled "Three Reasons Why I Will Proudly Support Ann Kuster or Katrina Swett in November". My partner and I will then document these selling points for each candidate.

The catch: We flip.  I will write my three reasons why I would gladly back Annie against Charlie Bass, and Dean, Laura, Jen, Elwood, Mike, Susan, or William would do the same for Katrina.  

Two conditions:

1. No backhanded praise.  The reasons need to be real and positive.  No "she doesn't suck as much as Charlie Bass" or "she no longer supports Lieberman/lobbies for PhRMA".  No "she has a nice family" or "she went to Dartmouth".  If we can do this right, then I'm pretty sure that we'll have six reasons why we should be excited for November.

2. Diary must be front-paged.  That will facilitate more attention to the positive than the negative, and, hopefully, a discussion about this primary that doesn't end with vitriol and TRs all over the place.

If a member of the BH board volunteers, I will gladly make the first move by documenting my three pro-Annie points and emailing that person by the end of the weekend.  If he/she doesn't feel that I have followed my end of the bargain, then they have the option of backing out.  For my part, I will trust my partner, and will not ask to see their pro-Katrina arguments before posting the diary.

I hope that communicates my good faith. Will look forward to responses.

[ Parent ]
these demands masquerading as "rules" and "proposals" are really tiresome. n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Whatever (0.00 / 0)
I can't possibly imagine what you find objectionable in a joint diary in which we praise each other's candidates.

Then again, I don't really care.

[ Parent ]
no, I suppose you can't. n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Feel free to start a blog. (0.00 / 0)
That is, after all, how Blue Hampshire started -- out of Dean, Mike Caulfield, and I all starting our own blogs in the lead-up to the 2006 elections.
[ Parent ]
Thought it might be a healthy thing to do it on this one (0.00 / 0)
But, if you disagree, I'll respect that.  It was only a suggestion.
[ Parent ]
In other words, if you don't like what we're doing "go fly a kite" (4.00 / 1)
That is not how things should be.

It is your blog, but with out us you're nothing.

There is something troubling about what you are saying Laura.

[ Parent ]
Please (4.00 / 1)
DD wrote his own diary, and it was front-paged. His offer is way beyond the usual boundaries. He doesn't get to assign work to editors. Neither do you, neither do I. Democracy.

[ Parent ]
Not my intent, Jim (0.00 / 0)
I wasn't trying to "assign work to editors."  Rather, thought it might bridge the gap, and help us to regain our focus on Charlie Bass.

This is not campaign strategy.  There is no hidden agenda.  I did not discuss this with anyone in the Swett campaign, nor do I care to do so.

I know that Laura is not a big fan of my criticisms of her Kos diary last month, which I stand by 100%.  Still, if other editors or contributing writers think that this is a good idea, then let me know.  If not, then no harm in asking.

[ Parent ]
Oh, and. . . (4.00 / 1)
I will not be pressured into leaving Blue Hampshire.  Just so you know.
[ Parent ]
Katrina Swett, Registered Washington Lobbyist | 51 comments

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