(I think the NRSC has an opinion on this. What do you think? -editor pp)
NRSC To Brendan Johnson: Stop Cashing in on Tribal Rolodex
Republicans Call on Former U.S. Attorney to Take Tribal Clients for Free
WASHINGTON – In light of recent reports revealing that Former U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson on the search for new tribal clients for his law firm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is calling on Johnson to only take South Dakota tribal clients on a pro bono basis as he transitions through the revolving door from the public to the private sector.
It has recently been reported that the former U.S. Attorneys for the districts of North Dakota and South Dakota, who both recently resigned from their federal government posts to join the national law firm Robins Kaplan LLP, will lead a tribally focused group for their new firm. This pass through the revolving door is likely to raise flags as these lawyers start calling on all their tribal contacts developed while on the government payroll to see about getting new business for their new national law firm.
“It’s no secret that Brendan used his dad to initially get the U.S. Attorney job and now it looks like he’s using his U.S. Attorney Rolodex to land tribal clients,” said NRSC spokesman Matt Connelly. “This sort of practice might be standard operating procedure at Brendan’s national law firm, but it’s not going to pass the smell test in South Dakota. If Brendan brings any new tribal clients to his law firm, he should do it on a pro bono basis.”
South Dakota Public Radio recently revealed that Johnson has been making trips out to meet with Lower Brule Sioux tribal leaders. Johnson denied any attempts to gain new clients for his firm but tribal leaders weren’t so sure about the purpose of the trips.
“South Dakota taxpayers would feel much better if they knew that in the weeks after Brendan Johnson left the federal government’s payroll he was meeting with tribal officials in efforts to gain new pro bono clients, not pad the pockets of his new national law firm,” said Connelly.
“Just as federal lawmakers must take part in a ‘cooling-off period’ before lobbying, so should our U.S. Attorneys before they start cashing in on the connections they made,” concluded Connelly.
Who is Matt Connelly? He purports to know quite a bit about South Dakotans; is he from here?
So if a dem does that not ok .If a Republican over turns a bill which passed by the people thats ok then.
his awesomeness is evening the odds for the tribes…don’t you read the argus?
Instead of being the beacon of principle and light to a floundering nation, the GOP has become just like that which principled Republicans oppose.
Relying on manipulation of rules and confusion of voters to take both sides of an issue (Rounds, Thune helping Lynch confirmation).
Now? Preemptivly attacking Johnson before he is a candidate instead of telling the electorate principled issues Republicans stand firm on. Then again, with so many RINOs in the ranks and leading the party, there is no more Republican absolutes. We are no longer the party of limited government, of gun rights, pro-life, of traditional family values.
Can’t wait to see the advertisements GOP is now forced to run as a result of little differences between D’s and RINOs: “Vote Republican, because red is a prettier color than blue..”. “Vote Republican, because our moderates raise taxes and increase government more effectively than Democrats..”
Hi Stace.
If Kristi runs for Governor then he will run for Congress and that congressional race might be as crazy as the governors race.
I don’t think Dusty Johnson could defeat him in a general. I would think Lucas Lentsch would have a better chance with the military background or maybe Jim Seward.
Seward would be tough.