The question isn't that this is a surprise - it isn't. The question is how anyone who made a pledge not to take money from lobbyists -- and then take money from lobbyists -- isn't being gang tackled by the GOP presidential candidates. New York Times: At least 15 of Mr. Obama's "bundlers" - supporters who contribute their own money to his campaign and solicit it from others - are involved in lobbying for Washington consulting shops or private companies. They have raised more than $5 million so far for the campaign. Because the bundlers are not registered as lobbyists with the Senate, the Obama campaign has managed to avoid running afoul of its self-imposed ban on taking money from lobbyists. But registered or not, the bundlers are in many ways indistinguishable from people who fit the technical definition of a lobbyist. They glide easily through the corridors of power in Washington, with a number of them hosting Mr. Obama at fund-raisers while also visiting the White House on policy...(Read Full Post)