John Hamre is the president and CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. (CSIS) He also is the former deputy secretary of defense for William Cohen.
On 23 April, Hamre introduced a panel of experts to discuss the future of the Lockheed Martin F-22. But he opened his remarks with a fairly passionate defense for lobbying. He acknowledged that his pro-lobbying views could make him a target for critics. Lobbying is never a very popular activity, but has been especially under attack recently.
on April 28, 2009 7:10 PM | Reply
So we need defense industry lobbyists to connect politicians with the views of average citizens. Nice to know they're working on our behalf rather than those of their shareholders.
Out of curiosity, who funds the operations of the Center for Strategic and International Studies?
on April 29, 2009 5:48 AM | Reply
Like it or not lobbying is nothing more than the right of free speech. Each and everyone of us has that right and so do defense contractors. It's not popular but it beats the alternative.