House GOP Agrees To Stream Lobbyist Meeting Online

Yesterday, in response to reports that House Minority John Boehner (R-OH) was planning a meeting with top lobbyists to discuss the GOP agenda, PoliticalCorrection.org made a simple request: broadcast the meeting online, so the American people can hear the lobbyists' suggestions.  Today, House Republicans agreed:

Republicans plan to stream live a meeting with trade lobbyists next week after Democrats criticized the closed-door discussions.

House GOP leaders had planned to meet with trade representatives as part of their "America Speaking Out" campaign, an ongoing effort to develop a platform for the 2010 elections.

When word of the meeting got around, Democrats immediately accused Republicans of letting lobbyists "write their agenda." The DNC mocked the effort as "Lobbyists Speaking Out."

But House Republicans plan to rebut that criticism by streaming the meeting online, according to a Republican leadership aide.

Good.  This doesn't change the fact that House Republicans still don't have a clear agenda, nor does it change the fact that they're turning to the same old lobbyists for new ideas.  But we're happy that Boehner & Co. are inviting the American people to participate, and we sincerely hope that it leads to a meaningful discussion.  We'll be watching.