I’m currently sitting in Northern Israel thinking about swimming in the Dead Sea tomorrow… but the AEA is still at it in my absence.

We’ve been hearing a lot of rumblings lately about the AEA trying to get some highly-connected Republican-leaning lobbyists in their corner. However, I’ve learned today that they have already been turned down by many of the top-tier folks.

It will be interesting to see who ultimately steps up to take the assignment. Can a GOP lobbyists maintain credibility with lawmakers while lobbying for the historically anti-GOP AEA?

This is no-doubt part of a larger AEA strategy to regain some of the influence they’ve lost… We’ll be the first to let you know if/when a conservative firm jumps in their corner.

[editor's note: the featured image on this post is Henry Mabry, new AEA Executive Secretary]