Benjamin Ginsberg, who long has represented the Republican Party nationally in legal disputes, is listed as a registered lobbyist to pass the bill giving native Hawaiians tribal status. The bill is opposed by Republican leaders and might be vetoed by President Bush if it passes.
The Washington law firm of Patton Boggs has received an estimated $780,000 from the Hawaii state government’s Office of Hawaiian Affairs for lobbying the bill. Ginsberg is one of six Patton Boggs lawyers listed on the registration form. National counsel to the Bush-Cheney campaign, Ginsberg played a key role in the 2000 Florida recount.
Hawaii political leaders, including Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, support the legislation. However, polls show two-thirds of the state’s residents are opposed.
”’This is reprinted from https://www.realclearpolitics.com”’