Democratic Lobbyists Treated Slightly Better Than Ugly Girls

Democratic lobbyists aren't loving the treatment they've been receiving from the Obama administration, which has made a big fuss about a policy of strictly limiting lobbyist contributions. Quoted in The Politico yesterday, one blue lobbyists described the situation quite aptly:

 "It's almost like the ugly girl that you want to call late at night—but don't want to be seen with on a date."

To be fair, though, the lobbyists are getting treated rather better than an ugly girls on a booty call: They've been invited to stay for breakfast.

Being banned from Democratic fundraisers like one held on Thursday night hurts. But luckily, there happens to be a separate and utterly unrelated Friday breakfast happening totally coincidentally at the same Mandarin Oriental hotel as the previous night's dinner where lobbyists are welcome and contributions will be accepted.

How much money is at stake here? Well, the Dems expected to make about $3 million at the Thursday dinner. The parallel Republican event made $14.4 million.

One official familiar with the events sought to put the best face on the situation, arguing that Obama is bringing new money to the dinner that wouldn't be there otherwise — and that the K Street cash will still come through at the morning-after event.

"We'll still get the lobbyist money," said this official.

Former Federal Elections Commission head honcho Brad Smith saw this coming a mile away: