Guest editorial: The political big-game hunt

Tauzin is one of the most powerful congressmen, a lead negotiator on the plum-stuffed energy bill. Like other ranking members, he receives generous political donations from corporate sources, some of whose business falls into his committee's sphere. Over the years, old friends and former staff members have become well-connected lobbyists; the closest of these go hunting with him, paying membership dues of $2,000 a year to defray expenses. The last thing they want to do in thrashing about the bush, the hunters claim, is talk shop.

"You can't work in Washington 22 years without knowing some lobbyists or socializing with some lobbyists," Tauzin's spokesman points out. Yes, and this can only be news for Americans who imagine lobbying involves busloads of advocates swamping the Capitol in photogenic attempts at gallantly influencing lawmakers. Real power is exercised privately. The rewards can be as impressive as a handsomely racked white-tailed deer.

Tauzin's office emphasizes that his hunting getaways are entirely legal and ethical by House rules. Which only makes it more interesting for anyone wondering about the workaday ways of Washington's political class.