Bush, whose closest advisers in recent months — including Mike Murphy and Al Cardenas — have worked for lobbying firms, isn’t alone in criticizing the industry. As presidential candidates look to portray themselves as Washington outsiders, the lobbying industry has emerged as a common, easy target.
Lobbying consistently ranks at the bottom of Gallup’s survey of the most honest and ethical professions, highlighting voters’ distaste for the industry. But lobbying firms rank high on the list of fundraising stops for presidential hopefuls. Earlier this year, Bush headlined fundraisers at lobby shop BGR Group and at the Washington offices of trade group National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. In May, several lobbyists hosted a “Mojitos with Marco” fundraiser for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker courted K Street donors at an event organized by the American Beverage Association’s Kevin Keane and BGR Group’s Bob Wood.