Jeg har fulgt med på OpenSecrets.org, siden jeg første gang så den omtalt i en bog, vist nok ‘Find det på nettet‘ af Tommy Kaas og Michael Holm.
Nu præsenterer de (OpenSecrets.org) så en ny feature, der gør det muligt at søge i lobbyisters tidligere jobs i det offentlige rum:
OpenSecrets.org Now Offers Lobbyist Search By Former Government Post:
Say you’re looking into the network of influence behind the climate change bill. And want to know which registered lobbyists reported working for an energy-related congressional committee during the last 20 years.
No problem! Now you can search the Center for Responsive Politics’ lobbying database by “covered position,” which means you can type in the name of a lawmaker, committee or agency to bring up a list of registered lobbyists who reported working for that lawmaker, committee or agency in the last 20 years.
Det ville være enormt stærkt, hvis danske journalister også havde adgang til den slags databaser omkring danske lobbyister. Men en i USA er trods alt bedre end ingenting.