Emptywheel has a great catch from Roll Call [subscription]
In a reflection of the sensitivity of the subject matter, and an apparent recognition that they would undermine their own messaging by appearing to be motivated by fundraising concerns, Republicans on and off Capitol Hill declined to comment on the record.
But several confirmed the griping in GOP leadership ranks over the phone companies' shifting donations.
"When those numbers are made evident, it causes some angst," one Republican lobbyist said. "Leadership are told by staff, who look through this. There's communication back and forth" between GOP leadership and downtown.
"There's no question that from time to time staff, and maybe some Members, say to fellow travelers: 'Are you giving us some air cover? Are you helping us help you?'"
Added another K Street Republican: "There's a growing frustration that a lot of these guys getting screwed by Democratic leadership are continuing to load their coffers."
Republican leaders, this lobbyist said, "sit there and scratch their heads and say, 'We've always been very supportive of free markets and our opponents haven't, so why do they keep feeding the beast?'"
Hmmmm.... Sounds to me like the telcos are a little less concerned about amnesty than they are about coming out on the right side of the next Congress. And maybe it sounds like the Republicans are a little more concerned about trying to protect their hold on the telco lobbyists and all their money than they are protecting America.
Go figure.
