Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me That It's Raining

Former Senator and current sleazeball Tom Daschle, who is advising both President Obama and the health insurance companies/big pharma at the same time (and probably pulling down millions of dollars to do it).

And he is, quite possibly, breaking the law:

Some of the health overhaul bills would make deep cuts in Medicare payments for home health services, but Mr. Daschle has instead argued for an increase. And though he does not lobby, he took that message to Capitol Hill last month, giving a paid speech at a meeting for Congressional staff convened by a group of home health care equipment concerns.

Making a case for something to congressional staffers is lobbying. "Lobbying" is not just talking to congresscritters, it is trying to persuade any government official to see things your way. The "oh, he only gave a speech" is a legal fiction. David Kirkpatrick and his editors at the NY Times ought to be pelted with rotten fruit for buying into it.