LEAP: Stories from the week of February 1, 2008

Leap on the Hill From Master to Howard (the grasshopper): A staffer sat next to me at a large table in the Senate restaurant and somehow we engaged in conversation. The conversation turned to the budget deficit swelling in 2009 (as proposed by Bush to rise to about 400 billion). That number in light of the push in Congress by the police lobby for an emergency appropriation of 1/3 of a billion to arrest local drug dealers (Byrne Grant). The wise staffer helped me to understand the Congress saying, “The longer you stay here, the less sense it makes.” Ah soooo.* Now I understand???? Hope was crushed by politics: The ‘other’ paper in DC this week, the Washington Times published a report that Senator Obama was ready to change simple marijuana possession a non-criminal act (civil infraction), i.e. no jail time possible. As some in reform were about to get excited, his campaign said his 2004 statement in no longer his position. Shucks.** Nonetheless, I have prepared a short memo on the topic. Acting on advice from an experienced colleague in marijuana prohibition, I will wait a month and then drop it off to Obama’s aid that I met last fall. I do my best work at night: A good friend and lobbyist in Trenton, New Jersey threw a party this week in DC and invited Karen and me. At one of the nicest steak houses in town I broke bread with several state senators and a House Delegate (who was a just-retired police officer). Bob had me meet a man who after learning of LEAP, hustled*** me over to his friend, the Chief of Staff of one of the most powerful men in NJ House. Three minutes later he said I must spend some time with his VIP boss, to describe LEAP, its mission and its resources. Karen spoke at length about LEAP to the retired cop turned politician. Besides the fabulous food and drink, much was accomplished. Though it was a ‘school night’ (Thursday), Karen was a valuable ally for LEAP. BTW, she was NOT wearing her now famous t-shirt, rather business clothes befitting a CPA. LOL