Indian Lobbyists Ranked!

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We can't believe we missed this. Two months ago, The Hill newspaper ranked the top Indian lobbyists in Washington, D.C. Suffice to say, Jack Abramoff was not on the list. But you won't believe who else was! Although it's hard to trust the list because no one would go on the record. [A lobbyist who won't talk? How surprising.]

• National Indian Gaming Association: "They are constantly broadening our circle of friends [even though] they have a tough nut to crack sometimes." Sometimes they even limit their circle of friends.
• National Congress of American Indians: "Indian Country is as diverse as America. It's a tough job to represent everyone, but they do a good job." Just ask Gale Norton!
• Holland & Knight: "The list of folks working for them is very, very distinguished." Who? Aurene Martin?
• Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker: "They have solid, good people." Yes, who will take money from a tribe no matter where the tribe got it.
• Monteau & Peebles: "He is well-liked. He has a very good understanding of how Washington works." We are pretty sure this comment doesn't refer to Mike Anderson.
• Ietan Consulting: "They do what they say they’re going to do. They are smart and work hard." Does this include paying line-holders for the Lumbee recognition hearing?
• Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry: Reid Chambers is "the godfather of Indian law." Yeah but who's the Chief of Indian law?
• Navajo Nation: "The Navajos have had the longest presence in Washington of any individual tribe, having established their Washington office in 1984." Although in 2004 they spent the longest time angering Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico).
• Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation: "The Mashantucket Pequots ... established their Washington office in the mid-'90s and are one of the few tribes with a significant presence in D.C." Yes, they like to hold significant fund-raisers!