Two of George Stephanopoulos' guests on This Week work for the Alston & Bird, a D.C. based lobbying firm. Tom Daschle and Bob Dole spoke on health care reform in a four person panel. Did they represent their clients, their respective political parties, or their pocketbooks? Bob Dole joked that he "needed work." At least Dole had the decency to register as a lobbyist. Tom's wife Linda has her own lobbying firm with health care clients.
It's a shame Tom Scully couldn't join his fellow Alston & Birdans. Would Scully give another commercial for SHPS, like he did on C-SPAN? Does anyone disclose potential conflicts of interest anymore? Not ex-politicians tied to private equity underwriters (PEU's).
Forstmann Little appointed Bob Dole to the board of Community Health Systems, a for-profit hospital chain. How much CHS stock does Mr. Dole still own? In an odd coincidence, Community's purchase of Triad Hospitals grossed White House Health Czar Nancy-Ann DeParle over $1.4 million.
Tom Dachle has PEU ties. He has a short stint with Apollo Group, then landed a Board Chair with Intermedia Advisers.
Alston & Bird must be proud of the Sunday morning coup. Two birds on one show. I can hear the lobbying cash register chinging.
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