Womble Carlyle

Governor Beverly Perdue's son, Garrett, has landed a plumb job lobbying for Womble Carlyle. Yes, that Womble Carlyle. They, of course, act like there's nothing to see here and we should just move along.

"While he'll have an office in Raleigh and will be working with Gov. Hunt, he won't be doing any lobbying in Raleigh," said Russell Thomas, a spokesman for the law firm.

Yeah, well, I have a question for you, Russell. How many (almost) fresh out of law school lobbyists do you hire? Since graduating law school at UNC in 2004 Garrett has worked briefly as an associate at Womble Carlyle, for two years with a commercial real estate firm and then full time campaigning for dear old mum. He also did a stint as a defendant in a law suit. I'll give it to the guy. He sure does know how to pack a lot of "experience" into a few short years.

Joseph Neff at the News and Observer has a great round-up story on the trials, tribulations and triumphs of Erik Prince, dark lord over all things Blackwater. Mr. Prince, as you know, is the top dog among mercenary mongrels here in the states. I hope you'll go read the article and learn how the Democratic Congress is continuing to pour money into Prince's pockets.

From the New York Times, this editorial about Blackwater's tax and employment practices:

As the nonpareil war profiteer in Iraq, Blackwater Worldwide keeps outdoing its own mercenary record. Ranking Blackwater executives have used inside
influence as administration fund-raisers to multiply their no-bid war contracts a thousandfold to more than $1 billion. Armed Blackwater guards redefined Ugly American for the Iraqi people last September in fatally shooting 17 civilians with impunity in a burst of “spray and pray” panic on the streets of Baghdad.

Mr. Dellinger,

Could you please submit a statement regarding the recent to-do on this blog regarding Womble Carlyle and the idea that it should be denounced for representing Blackwater?

Since the Congressional hearing in the Fall, Blackwater has been busy re-tooling its political machinery. Blackwater had previously retained the services of C&M Capitolink since June 2006. On Dec 4, 2007 a Lobbying Registration form was filed for Richard Cockrum of Capitol Assets, LLC, Indianapolis, IN. Cockrum is a former Chair of the Indiana Natural Resources Commission and a state lobbyist. On Dec 5, 2007 a Lobbying Registration form was filed for Gregory Hahn of Tabbert Hahn Earnest & Weddle, LLP, Indianapolis, IN. On January 8, 2008, just two days ago, a Federal Lobbying Registration form was filed for lobbyists at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, Winston-Salem, NC.

Moved for the day to the top of the frontpage by Anglico. Make sure you read the comments, please.