Democrats in the Washington antitrust bar -- some likely hopeful of
becoming the next Federal Trade Commission chief -- held a fundraiser
for Sen. Barack Obama in September, and according to one, "the amount
of money that event raised was amazing." A similar event was also held
for New York-based antitrust geeks hopeful for Obama.
Continue reading below
At the Washington event alone, some 250 antitrust lawyers and economists showed
up, many of whom are hoping for a government enforcement slot in the
next administration. Some former Hillary Clinton supports were
certainly disappointed at having to start over with a new candidate,
but senior Democrats say if Obama is elected, it's unlikely that the
former Clinton supporters will be penalized.
Republicans never hosted a specific antitrust fundraiser.
Regardless
of who wins in Tuesday's election, Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., (pictured
above) is certainly going to maintain his participation in antitrust
politics. As the head of the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, Kohl has
helped vet -- and in some cases, groom -- people for antitrust jobs.
It's no secret that Jon Leibowitz, a member of the Federal Trade
Commission, was a subcommittee staffer for Kohl.
Several lawyers
are speculating that Leibowitz will be tapped for the FTC chairman job
in an Obama administration, while a McCain administration is likely to
stick with seasoned antitrust guru, Chairman Bill Kovacic. But there's an
open slot at the agency now, and another likely to open in a year. The
list of folks hoping for that job is even longer than the number who
are qualified. -
Cecile Kohrs Lindell
See related story from Corporate Dealmaker Cecile Kohrs Lindell is a senior reporter in The Deal's Washington bureau.
