(CNN) – Hunter Biden – the second son of Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden – has informed congressional officials that he is resigning his job as a federal lobbyist.
In a letter dated August 25, two days after Biden’s father was announced as Barack Obama’s running mate in Springfield, Illinois, Biden writes that as of that date, “I no longer expect to act as a federal lobbyist.”
The letter also lists the nine clients that Biden lobbied for, including six universities. The other three are two pharmaceutical companies and a law firm that represents an internet gambling company.
Obama refuses donations from lobbyists and has repeatedly slammed Republican nominee John McCain for hiring former corporate lobbyists into senior campaign positions. The Democrat’s campaign launched a new multimedia offensive Saturday highlighting what they called “John McCain’s ties to DC Lobbyists.”
The senior Biden has insisted that his son has never lobbied him, and has claimed that he is the only senator who doesn’t meet with lobbyists.
UPDATED with GOP, Biden camp reaction after the jump
RNC spokesman Alex Conant called Hunter Biden's letter "another example of Obama's words not matching his actions."
"Obama speaks against special interest, but he doesn't stand up to them, as evidenced by his selection of a Washington insider like Joe Biden," said Conant. "The disconnect between Obama's rhetoric and record undermines any claims to being an agent of 'change' and will hurt him this fall."
Biden spokesman David Wade fired back at the RNC, saying “The McCain campaign and their henchmen at the RNC have broken their own world record for sleaze and scum, attacking the children of the candidates after spending weeks decrying perceived media slights of their own families.
"Joe Biden’s been standing up to the big powerful interests in Washington for thirty five years while John McCain has voted their agenda again and again," continued Wade. "Hunter Biden could’ve gone anywhere after college but chose the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the inner city, gave up a big job in corporate America to work in public service for the Clinton Administration, and has represented colleges, universities, and hospitals. I’d put his character up against the attack dogs of the McCain campaign any day and come out a winner.”
From CNN Politics
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McCain is trying to compare lobbying for universities and non-profits with lobbying for big oil and foreign nations (like the people he has on his campaign staff)?
What a joke.
"Joe Biden’s been standing up to the big powerful interests in Washington for thirty five years while John McCain has voted their agenda again and again," continued Wade. "Hunter Biden could’ve gone anywhere after college but chose the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the inner city, gave up a big job in corporate America to work in public service for the Clinton Administration, and has represented colleges, universities, and hospitals. I’d put his character up against the attack dogs of the McCain campaign any day and come out a winner.”
Quoted for the truth...
The GOP just cannot help it self with the "phony outrage" rove agenda...
throw the bums out...!!!
THIS IS A AMERICAN STORY. THEY LOVE HARD. IF YOU WANT TO ATTACK HIS STANCE THAT IS OK BUT PEOPLE DON'T ATTACK HIS FAMILY. HE HAS TAUGHT THOSE BOYS WELL.
While i don't condone lobbying, i do wonder what exactly it was Hunter Biden was lobbying for. Obviously, it doesn't sound good if you're lobbying for pharmaceutical companies or a law firm for an internet gambling company, but lobbying for universities and hospitals doesn't sound that bad to me. It all depends what he was lobbying for. I wonder if those reports are allowed to be released in order to clear the air. Furthermore, as Joe Biden has repeatedly said that his son did not lobby him, and there's no evidence pointing to the contrary, we'll have to take him up on his word as a man. Also, the way the McCain camp and the RNC are hammering away at this is the same thing as bringing up Palin's family, McCain's wife and family, and Obama's family. IT'S OFF LIMITS! Shame on McCain and the RNC!
Biden's son isn't running for VP or working with the obama campaingn so what he does for a living is irrelevant. It's like being concerned because one of biden's cousin lobbys for companies.
WE BELIEVE IN YOU JOE!!!!!!! I WAS A HILLARY SUPPORTER AND NOW STAND PROUDLY BEHIND YOU AND SENATOR OBAMA. WHEN GOV. PALIN'S COVER UPS, LIES, AND INEXPERIENCE COME OUT YOU WILL ROCK THE WHITEHOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't understand how McCain's campaign can say things like this when they are all lobbyists themselves? I keep hearing McCain/Palin saying they are going to stand up to special interests and lobbyists. How can they do that when that is who is running their campaign? How come nobody says anything? I watched Palin and Charlie Gibson talking about it last night and he never asked her about it.
Good, now let John McCain do the same.
ok, bidens family has backed up the tax release with this. now lets see mccain and palin do the same by releasing both there tax returns and lobbiest campaign members.
It all sounds hypocritical to me.
Can the past be wiped out as easily as that? politics is dirty business.
Way to go JOE!!
Thank you CNN for giving BOTH sides of the stories and not following the TV talking heads who continually disappoint US independents with John McFool's talking points.
Obama/Biden 08 & 12
HONESTY all though the Biden family, Yet the Republican and Mr Lying McCain and Palin will still be looked at no matter how much they lie to us, as the Peoples choice in office. Biden you raised your sons well!!!!!!! and You and Obama are the Role Models for my kids.......HONESTY!!!!!!!!!! Nothing HID and if found out.......NO Excuse........unlike McCain and Palin!!!!!!!!!!what a world
If Biden is the only senator that doesn't meet with lobbyists, then Obama does? Who, when, where, why?
McCain wants family off limits, but then again, I guess not.
HUNTER BIDEN ANOTHE RSHINING EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF FATHER AND PERSON JOE BIDEN. A MAN WHO IS DUE EVERY BIT OF RESPECT, AS A MAN AND A PERSON. HUNTER SIMILAR TO SEN OBAMA CHOOSE TO GIVE UP BIG CORPORATE AMERICAN JOBS TO WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICE. HE HAS ALREADY BECOME A WINNER EVEN THOUGH PALIN LOOKS DOWN, THUMBS HER NOSE, AND DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS TYPE OF WORK WORTH DOING. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK HUNTER.
If all of McCain's lobbyists resigned, he would no longer have a staff.
What if everyone just did not vote this Nov? Maybe that would send a message to Washington that we are not going to take you crap anymore. Imagine the pundits, the media and yes the candidates when no one turned out to vote. It would be a Nightmare on Pennsylvania street for sure.
No more mcbush. Go back to your cave!
alex is typical republican liar.
I can't IMAGINE why he would quit...
I wonder how much Obama will "compensate" Hunter for leaving his lobbiest postion?
"there is no conflict of interests between me and the lobbyists around me,
as our interests perfectly coincide."
hey, mcshameless,
the conflict of interests exist
between YOU and the People,
as YOU pretend to work for people's interest
but in fact work for your lobbyists' interests.
too complicated for you? thought so.
mcshameless is the public enemy No. 1,
as he works for the loan sharks and war profiteers,
not for the people of the country.
Why not? I,m use to the double standards of this presidental ticket
what hypocrites.Do as i say not as i do.Obama not good for this country,period!!Its all empty words no action.Do not be fooled America.It is a grand conspiracy by the liberals and all the media outlets to push in Obama into power.America will resist that horrible and despicable plot.