Chris Bell Joins D.C. Lobby Firm

This is indeed interesting news:

Former Democratic congressman and gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell will start a new job today with the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs.

Bell, who finished second to Texas Gov. Rick Perry in last year’s election, will work to bring in clients and develop a public policy lobbying business in Texas for the firm.

“I decided this would be the best way to really play to my strengths,” said Bell, who will keep his home in Houston and travel to Washington and Austin as needed.

[..]

Bell, who argued for ethics reform during his gubernatorial bid, said it won’t be difficult to work as a lobbyist after emphasizing ethics. He described Patton Boggs as “a very ethical firm” and said he’ll conduct himself properly.

Political scientist Bruce Buchanan of the University of Texas at Austin said the career change will be worth watching.

“We’ll see if Mr. Clean can hold to those high standards in this new line of work,” Buchanan said in a story posted Sunday night on the San Antonio Express-News Web site.

I’m sure Buchanan didn’t mean for his line to come off quite as harshly as it did. Even so, I’d bet that Chris Bell won’t find any excuses to compromise his ethics. He’s a pretty stand-up guy.

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