It makes the lobbying business even grubbier because the cash isn't necessarily ring-fenced for public service, which really - in nicey nicey world - it ought to be, to whatever extent that's practical.
In the end, the model of lobbyists steering contributions is doomed, in my opinion, as far as it being a great way to gain influence goes. It just can't compete with the small-donor model. Both will go on, of course, but inevitably the influence of the lobbyist falls, especially when you can, as Obama has, run partly on not taking their money and perhaps get even more donations. Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin
