On Oct. 19 the chairs for the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITAC) sent President Obama a letter expressing opposition to the announcement that registered lobbyists should be prohibited from serving on federal advisory boards. The group asked Obama to reconsider the guidance. Norm Eisen, counsel to the president on ethics and government reform, posted another blog with both the group's letter and the administration's letter in response. "While we recognize the contributions some of those who will be affected have made to these committees, it is an indisputable fact that in recent years, lobbyists for major special interests have wielded extraordinary power in Washington DC, resulting in a national agenda too often skewed in favor of the interests that can afford their services."

The response letter further stated; "The President's overarching goal is to reduce special interest influences that threaten the public interest and undermine public confidence. And his concerns extend to the appointment or retention of those who lobby the government and simultaneously serve on federal boards and commissions."

These consistent remarks are confusing because the administration's initiatives are not seemingly reducing the influence of special interests, and in fact deterring transparency.

Meanwhile, Eisen continues to defend the administration's policies towards registered lobbyists. The Hill reports on Eisen's talk to the American Bar Association's (ABA) fall conference.

One particular sore point is how the administration had singled out lobbyists, as opposed to corporate executives or counsels, by using registrations under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) to limit access. Eisen said the White House felt it would be too difficult to set up a new regulatory regime and that it was best to build off the one already in place under the LDA, though he acknowledged relying on lobbying registrations had its limitations.

The Legal Times blog also covered the conference and noted one panelist Nick Allard, of Patton Boggs, who said; "Right now it’s popular to make a show of turning lobbyists away from the front door while sending them around the back."