As Tapper posted moments ago at his "Political Punch" blog, Biden doesn't share the same supposed disdain for lobbyist cash as his presumptive running mate (emphasis added throughout, photo courtesy UPI):
The Center for Responsive Politics has a thorough analysis of Sen. Joe Biden's campaign cash intake now that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has selected him as his running mate. [...]
Obama may decry lobbyist cash (or at least federal lobbyist cash), but Biden has taken $344,400 from lobbyists since 1997 -- making lobbyists the 10th biggest contributing industry.
Also of note is Biden's contributions from the credit card and lending industries:
Biden's largest business contributor over the years has been MBNA, the credit card company from his home state of Delaware. Conservative journalist Byron York has written about whether Biden's relationship with MBNA has been too cozy.
As OpenSecrets pointed out Saturday (emphasis added throughout):
As an industry, finance and credit companies have contributed nearly $300,000 to Biden in his career, making them his 12th most generous industry. Obama has vowed to target credit card companies as president, setting up a five-star rating system so consumers know the risk involved with various credit cards and establishing a bill of rights so consumers aren't exploited by unfair practices.
Going to be interesting to see him do that with a Vice President that has so benefitted from this industry's contributions.
Something that Tapper didn't point out that could be very interesting for media to explore:
[O]ne of Biden's top donors, law firm Baron & Budd, was in the news recently because its founder, trial lawyer Fred Baron, acknowledged paying for former presidential candidate John Edwards's mistress to re-locate. Baron & Budd employees have given Biden $108,100 during his career.
Think this will get a lot of attention in the days to come?
