đ¨ SLUDGE REPORT: Obstruction. Vaping Lobbyists. A $100-million campaign. đ¨
Your regular summary of the most shameful corruption in politics.


Welcome to the preview edition of our weekly, members-only Sludge column to let you know about the sludgiest characters in politics!
Let’s get right to the sludge.
5. Revolving-Door Swamp Creatures

In the latest revolving-door news, former Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Ryan Costello plans to open a corporate lobbying shop as soon as his one-year âcooling-offâ period expires in January. (Members are barred from officially lobbying their former colleagues for a year after leaving Congress, although thereâs plenty of shadow lobbying going on. Be sure to check out the Center for Responsive Politicsâ new shadow lobbying report.) This year heâs been doing policy work that is 100%, absolutely, undeniably âin no way lobbyingâ at all. Costello says heâll apply his expertise in telecom, tech, pharma, health insurance, energy and transportation when lobbying on behalf of his corporate clients. (The Hill)
The White Houseâs recent Cabinet secretary, William McGinley, is also headed for greener pastures (pun intended). Trumpâs top liaison with government agencies will now become a principal at The Vogel Group, a bipartisan government affairs and business consulting firm. He canât lobby the White House for five years, due to ethics rules, but heâs free to lobby Congress any time. McGinley is one of many ex-Trump staffers who appear to suffer no professional penalties for helping run the most corrupt administration in modern history. (The Hill)
4. Tom Steyer, Debate Slot Purchaser

Yes, itâs possible to buy yourself a spot on the presidential debate stage. Liberal hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer has spent the past few years plastering his name, and a call to impeach Trump, in Times Square and all over the internet. Many speculated this was really an effort to amass a giant email list he could use for personal political gainâand that seems to be exactly the case. In July, he entered the Democratic presidential primary, vowing to spend $100 million on his campaign. Let me repeat that: $100 million of his own money. This is *not* what democracy looks like, folks.
While former Rep. John Delaneyâs enormous wealth and self-funding couldnât keep his incessant fearmongering over Medicare for All on the debate stage for very long (shocking!), Steyer has been more savvy in his approach to national prowess. He entered the race relatively late, and his giant warchest and decent name recognition have allowed him to do well enough in the polls and raise enough small donations to qualify for the fourth Democratic presidential debate on Oct. 15.
Steyer has been funding independent political spending groups for a while now, but to be honest, Iâm pretty surprised about this new factoid: He recently gave $2.7 million to a super PAC he founded, Need to Impeach, as it continues advocating for Trumpâs ouster. Steyer resigned from the super PAC, but this is quite shady. Sure, the group probably wonât directly advocate for Steyerâs campaign, but itâs already linked to Steyer and obviously has the same message to spread. Its websiteâs front page still has a big photo and bio under the heading, âMEET TOM STEYER.â
Steyerâs 2020 campaign funded publicity of his decision to give millions to Need to Impeach, according to a screen shot from reporter Dave Levinthal.
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