US Lobbyists Lining Up for Biden... Early Interest in Likely Cabinet Picks

Video Conference on Camp and Future Policies... Mention of Ron Klein, Susan Rice, etc.
Trump Highlights Allegations Against Biden's Son

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Lobbyists are flocking around Joe Biden's Democratic presidential campaign. With two weeks left until the election and Biden's support rate still ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump, it appears they have concluded that the likelihood of Biden becoming the White House occupant has increased. Lobbyists have begun verifying information about expected policy changes and potential appointees in the event of a regime change.

According to CNBC on the 19th (local time), lobbyists active around Capitol Hill have recently been holding video conferences with Biden campaign officials, including campaign advisor Lett Butler. Their main concerns are how campaign pledges such as tax increases and infrastructure reform will be reflected in future policies and the possibility of cooperation with Congress. The Biden campaign has been evaluated as difficult to obtain hints about internal information or future policy directions due to limiting contact with outsiders. Except for insiders, information has effectively been blocked.

What is unusual is that the Biden campaign has accepted lobbyists into the campaign. Steve Ricchetti, who is considered a strong candidate for White House Chief of Staff if Biden takes office, is an example. CNBC also reported that many lobbyists are likely to participate in the transition team. Given Biden's over 40 years of political activity, it is expected that he has many relationships with lobbyists. Matthew Eperly, Managing Director of the lobbying firm Chartwell Strategy Group, predicted that if Biden is elected, "a more predictable and traditional policy-making process will be restored." This suggests that policies will be formulated in a more traditional manner compared to the Trump administration.

However, Biden still maintains a stance to limit the influence of lobbyists. The Obama administration also had ethics rules preventing former lobbyists from handling matters related to lobbying groups or companies they were involved with within two years before taking public office.

Despite the Biden campaign's restrictions, some lobbyists have begun moving regarding Biden's infrastructure investment pledge, which includes benefits for electric vehicles and trains and investing $1.3 trillion in restoring highways, roads, and bridges, according to CNBC.

Bob Crow, partner at lobbying firm Nelsell Mullins, who claims to be a longtime friend of Biden, predicted, "The Biden administration will focus first on passing infrastructure-related legislation." The increased possibility of a 'Blue Wave,' where the Democrats win not only the presidential election but also the Senate, controlling both chambers, has further heightened interest in the Biden administration. Former lobbyist Tony Podesta told CNBC, "Almost all Republican (lobbying) firms are desperately looking for Democrats connected to Biden and are trying to recruit people close to Biden."

The biggest issue for lobbyists boils down to who will be appointed to the next government. In this regard, a document presented by the heavyweight lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has attracted attention. The list of potential appointees includes ▲Ron Klain, former Biden Chief of Staff, as Chief of Staff ▲Jake Sullivan, former Biden National Security Advisor, and Tony Blinken, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, as National Security Advisors ▲Lawrence Summers, former Treasury Secretary, as Chair of the National Economic Council ▲Susan Rice, former National Security Advisor, and Mitt Romney, Utah Senator, as Secretary of State ▲Elizabeth Warren, Senator; Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase; and Neel Kashkari, President of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, as Treasury Secretary ▲Michelle Flournoy, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, as Secretary of Defense ▲Amy Klobuchar, Senator, as Attorney General.

As the election enters its final stage, public attention is focused on the third TV debate scheduled for the 22nd. This debate is considered an important opportunity for President Trump to lay the groundwork for a comeback or for Biden to solidify his lead. The organizers announced a rule change that when one candidate speaks, the other's microphone will be turned off, considering the criticism over interruptions during the first debate.

Ahead of the final TV debate, President Trump, targeting battleground states, held two rallies in Arizona on the day, focusing on turning around public opinion that has shifted toward Biden. During transit, Trump told reporters, "The FBI should investigate Biden," once again highlighting allegations related to Hunter Biden's scandal.