Former Senate Majority Leader, Former Senator from Maine
Lobbyist with Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson, and Hand, One of the law firms hired by the tobacco industry to lobby lawmakers.
See also: Government Time Line | Tobacco Deal Timeline | Michael Moore Interview | Matt Myers Interview | Phil Carlton
Matt Myers describes his first phone conversation with Mitchell: "George Mitchell said to me that he represented the tobacco companies, all of them. That he was convinced that they truly wanted to do business differently. And that he was simply calling me to ask me to meet with his law partners to hear them out. And I remember the conversation distinctly because I did something I normally wouldn't have done. And that was, I said to him, you know, every time the tobacco industry gets in trouble it goes and hires somebody with your level of credibility. And every time in the past that person's reputation has been destroyed. I hope what you are saying is right."
Who?
Mitchell was hired by the tobacco industry to help them lobby for a national settlement. He is useful to the tobacco industry not simply for his own name, but for his close connections with President Clinton. The liberal Maine Democrat used his reputation and skills as a peace maker to bring key settlement participants to the negotiating table. He made a personal call to publich health advocate Matt Myers to convince him to join in the talks.
At the April 3, 1997 meeting between state attorneys general and the Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds CEO's, Mitchell served as a "greeter" opening the talks by saying that he believed the meeting to be historic and that the tobacco industry was making an act of good faith.
Contribution to the Deal
The former Senate Majority Leader was one of many high powered lobbyists the tobacco industry hired in their attempt to reach a national settlement. The list includes former Governor of Texas Ann Richards and former Special Prosecutor Bob Fiske, among many others.
Expectations
It is difficult to understand why Mitchell would align himself with the tobacco industry unless he truly believed this settlement to be in the best interest of the American people. He is respected as a politician with integrity.
Personal Information:
George Mitchell is a former Senator from Maine and the former Majority Leader of the Senate. Since his departure from the U.S. Senate, George Mitchell has worked with the law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand, the company hired by the big tobacco companies to lobby Congress. He has also been intimately involved in negotiating the Irish Peace Talks. Many joke that it was easier to get the Irish to settle than it is to get the tobacco issue resolved.
Affiliations: Democratic Party
Cards they hold (issues):
Cards: Political Access to the White House | Political Access to Congress | Lobbying Power Negotiations, Senate, Lobbyist