Exclusive ... Becerra draws crowd - American Conservative Union launching super PAC - Pelosi to attend Rangel fundraiser - Lobbyists get earful at Chamber event Presented by Philip Morris International

EXCLUSIVE … BECERRA DRAWS CROWD: K Streeters were all ears at a breakfast fundraiser this morning at the Democratic Club Townhouse for supercommittee panelist Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.). Cristina Antelo of Podesta Group, which sponsored the event, introduced Becerra according to a PI tipster. While all attendees certainly had much at stake in what the powerful deficit slashing panel comes up with, the tipster said Becerra was light on specifics at the event.

Other K Streeters in attendance included: Podesta’s Oscar Ramirez and Claudia James; David Jones of Capitol Counsel; Dan Maldonado of Holland & Knight; and Ben Abrams of Northrop Grumman. Kevin Fisher of American Airlines, Jamie Gillespie of the National Association of Broadcasters, Alfred Campos with the National Education Association and Cynthia Bradley from AFSCME were also in attendance.


PI SCOOP … AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION LAUNCHING SUPER PAC: The American Conservative Union plans to announce the creation of a new super PAC this week, officials confirm to PI. The new committee, called ACU Super PAC, may raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for and against political candidates. “It’s responsible for a conservative group like ours to have available to it every tool in the toolbox. And thanks to the Supreme Court, we have this tool,” Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union, told PI this afternoon.

Cardenas says his organization hasn’t yet decided which specific candidates it will support or oppose but that he expects the ACU Super PAC will be active in the presidential race. Asked if he hopes to raise a seven-figure amount during this election cycle, Cardenas replied, “We want to go as far as we can go.” Melissa Bowman, the group’s legacy council and development administrator, will serve as the new super PAC’s treasurer.

PELOSI TO ATTEND RANGEL FUNDRAISER: Nearly one year after Rep. Charles Rangel’s (D-N.Y.) public shaming on the House floor, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is slated to attend a Rangel fundraiser Wednesday evening at Bistro Bis. Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Reps. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), John Conyers (D-Mich.) and DCCC Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.). Cost to attend ranges from $500 to $5,000.

LOBBYISTS GET EARFUL AT CHAMBER EVENT: Occupy Wall Street activists crashed a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event Monday where Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association President Scott Serota was speaking. A lobbyist in attendance said “a dozen people were spread out around the room and did a call-and-response just after he started speaking. Lasted about 15 minutes.” The lobbyist also told PI that “many lobbyists were present” and the protest “was about the 99 percent vs. the 1 percent, how much money Serota made, how bad the health care system is, how evil insurance companies are.”

A good Tuesday to you, PI faithful, as the Clean Air Act celebrates its 21st birthday. We’d recommend that the newly of-age act, which no longer needs a fake ID to get its party on, go straight here: http://bit.ly/tpXxL1

For those of you not doping on nature’s eighth element, please send your best tip, tidbit, news item or campaign fundraiser invitation to [email protected] and [email protected]. Please be sure to also follow us on Twitter, where we’re at @apalmerdc and @davelevinthal.

Now, back to today’s influence news …

STUDY SAYS AMERICANS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ON LOBBYING: Americans are of two minds when it comes to lobbying — not thrilled about corporate lobbying in general, but tend to support specific corporate lobbying objectives, such as creating jobs or expanding markets, according to a new report from the Public Affairs Council. “The expectation might be that the public regards ‘lobbyist’ as a pejorative term,” said Doug Pinkham, president of the Public Affairs Council. “But these results show that Americans understand the importance of a company’s efforts to protect jobs, open markets and level the playing field through advocacy and lobbying.” Read the full report, which also tackles other issues concerning the public’s perception of corporations, here: http://pac.org/pulse

** A message from the National Retail Federation: True or False: Under federal law, it’s okay to collect taxes for businesses on Main Street but let Oak Street businesses get a free pass. Answer: True. And Congress is letting it happen. Learn more at www.RetailMeansJobs.com/SalesTaxFairness. **

CONGRESS … DEFINITELY PART OF THE 1 PERCENT: Nearly half of Congress — 249 members — are millionaires, a new report by the Center for Responsive Politics concludes. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), as well as Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) rank among the most wealthy. Meanwhile, congressional lawmakers’ top 10 favorite stock investments are: General Electric, Procter & Gamble, Bank of America, Microsoft, Cisco, Pfizer, Intel, Wells Fargo, AT&T and ExxonMobil. Read the full report here: http://bit.ly/vrjYCl

BRACEWELL BRANCHING OUT: Our own Robin Bravender reports that Bracewell & Giuliani will formally announce a new subsidiary tomorrow dubbed the Policy Resolution Group, which promises clients one-stop shopping for advocacy, strategic communications and legal representation. The new branch will remain a part of Bracewell, according to founding partner Scott Segal, but the founders are hoping the new venture will give them an edge in the lobbying world and more flexibility to hire and promote professionals who aren't attorneys. In addition to Segal, founding partners include Ed Krenik, Frank Maisano, Dee Martin and Paul Nathanson. Click here for the full roster and more details: www.policyresolutiongroup.com.

TICKLE ME OBAMA? With the holiday season upon us, a California-based company will soon learn whether it may launch a novel shopping program, in which common purchases, from toys to tires, could translate into political contributions. Indications that Social Financial Inc. will be allowed to implement its “ GivingSphere” program are positive: A draft advisory opinion, which the FEC's six commissioners will formally consider Thursday, indicates the company would be cleared to engage in various activities it described last month to the FEC. Read the draft advisory opinion here: http://bit.ly/tj0hed. And review our October exclusive on this matter: http://politi.co/oEK2Ic

SPACE TO VORYS ADVISORS: Former Rep. Zach Space (D-Ohio) is joining Ohio-based Vorys Advisors, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. Space won’t be the only ex-member from the Buckeye State. Former Rep. David Hobson (R-Ohio) also hangs his hat at the firm.

Hobson said of the hire: “Congressman Space will bring his hard work, enthusiasm and leadership to Vorys Advisors and put it to work for our clients. … During his career in both public service and the private sector he has made successful efforts to promote economic development, improve Ohio’s economy, protect the environment and expand access to quality health care. I am excited to welcome him to our team.”

It’s unclear whether Space will register to lobby. Space is expected to evaluate whether it is necessary to register following his one-year lobbying ban. Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease is registered to lobby on behalf of Grange Insurance, American Apex Corp., Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, among others.

SPEAKING OF SPACE: Heather Podesta & Partners is going to infinity and beyond … OK, not quite, but the firm recently registered Space Exploration Technologies. Heather Podesta and Eric Rosen are lobbying on commercial, civil and defense space transportation, according to the registration. Podesta also signed Uranium Energy Corporation. She and Benjamin Klein will educate lawmakers and the administration about UEC’s operations and monitoring legislation and regulations affecting UEC, according to the filing.

ANTI-SCOTT BROWN GROUP MAKES SIX-FIGURE BUY: Super PAC Rethink PAC, which opposes the reelection of Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), spent $156,000 today on online advertising against the senator, federal records show. “Rethink seeks to show Massachusetts voters that what Scott Brown says he’ll do for people in our state is very different from the way he’s actually voting in Washington,” Liz Morningstar, a senior strategist and assistant treasurer for the group, says of the ads. Watch the videos here: http://bit.ly/ubNOlj

HONDA LAUNCHES NEW LOBBYING WEBSITE: The Honda Government Relations Office today is launching a website, HondaInAmerica.com, to “provide the latest information about the company’s investment in America and efforts to enhance fuel efficiency, develop advanced safety technologies and deliver top-level quality to customers” and to serve as a “resource for policymakers, regulators and media at the federal, state and local levels,” the company said in a statement.

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T GO BACK IN TIME? The Ralph Nader for President 2008 Committee is terminating itself, Assistant Treasurer Neil Crossan recently told the FEC. Just one catch: “All remaining campaign funds and assets have been transferred to the Nader for President 2004 General Election Committee,” Crossan noted.

NOW MAKES AMENDS FOR FILING ERRORS: The N ational Organization for Women PAC has notified the FEC that it’s amended numerous campaign finance reports to correct various reporting errors. For example, in its February report to the FEC, it originally reported more than $85,000 cash on hand, but has since amended it to less than $39,000 cash on hand. “Please note that the committee conducted a comprehensive, voluntary internal audit of all financial reporting by the committee from 2008 to the present,” NOW PAC wrote to the FEC. “As a result, the committee filed amendments to all reports during this period to correct reporting discrepancies discovered during this internal audit.”

BERG FORMS LEADERSHIP PAC: North Dakota’s lone House member, Rep. Richard Berg, has formed a leadership political action committee. Called Building Effective Responsible Government PAC — BERG PAC — the congressman may use the new committee to raise and spend funds separate from his campaign committee for the primary purposes of touting political ideology, donating cash to political brethren and the like. Kelly Zander of Fargo, N.D., will serve as BERG PAC treasurer.

POLITICALLY ACTIVE HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR GETS AKIN GUMP BACKING: Holocaust survivor Leo Bretholz, who today testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs about his escape from an Auschwitz-bound train operated by France’s national railway, SNCF, is receiving pro bono support from a D.C. powerhouse: law and lobbying firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. The firm is pressing on Congress on the behalf of Holocaust survivors to pass the Holocaust Rail Justice Act, which seeks to block the rail company from claiming foreign sovereign immunity in defense against legal action.

COHEN TO CAPITOL COUNSEL: Aaron Cohen is heading to Capitol Counsel to help expand its health practice. The former chief of staff to then-Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) was the principal adviser to Ensign on legislative, communications and political strategy.

COALITION POWERING UP: The Consumer Energy Alliance, which has so far spent $90,000 lobbying the federal government this year, has added the National Tank Truck Carriers to its ranks.

NEW POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE FILINGS:

Texas Association of Business FedPAC of Austin, Texas — Treasurer: Sandra McGee

MAAT Political Action Committee of Los Angeles — Treasurer: Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi

RECENT LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS: (Firm: Client)

Alcade & Fay: Association of California Egg Farmers

Arnold & Porter: NACE International

Arnold & Porter: Sorlox Corporation

Delta Strategy Group: CTC Holdings, LP

Ferguson Group: Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation

Gephardt Group Government Affairs: American Council on Education

Gephardt Group Government Affairs: Experience Works

Goldberg & Associates: NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants

Greenberg Traurig: Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare

Heather Podesta + Partners: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.

Heather Podesta + Partners: Uranium Energy Corporation

Hecht Spencer & Associates: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company

Kirkland & Ellis: LightSquared

Monument Policy Group: Sonetics Corporation

Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough: Seniorlink, Inc.

Nossaman: Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc. / Drexel Heritage Furniture Industries

Patton Boggs: NCL Holdings (also known as VLOX)

** A message from the National Retail Federation: Inaction by Congress has perpetuated a distorted, archaic policy for sales tax collection that puts small Main Street merchants at a disadvantage over those who aren’t required to collect sales tax. Whether you work on Main Street or Oak Street — sales tax fairness benefits us all. Learn more at www.RetailMeansJobs.com/SalesTaxFairness. **



Follow us on Twitter Theodoric Meyer @theodoricmeyer