The Obama administration’s crackdown on the influence and power of lobbyists will have little impact on trade associations, but many groups still say the new rules will damage the reputation of a profession and a politicking process that is as old as the republic. Many organizations say they were already abiding by gift rules set by Congress, which prevented officials from accepting gifts or meals worth more than $50. President Obama’s executive order, signed Jan. 21, 2009, extends that ban to members of his administration but with no meal or gift exceptions. “It’s an overage of caution, but the rules are what they are and I don’t see any impact on us at all,” said Jade… Read More