the ties that bind...

salon.com points us to this interesting development:

the lobbyist for Kaddafi, also previously a Bush admin. energy official, has coordinated Bush's latest 'endorsement' by Arab Americans. newsweek reports, in the story "Lobbying for Libya, And Bush."

"Oct. 28 - A last-minute endorsement of President George W. Bush by a hastily formed coalition of Arab-Americans was coordinated in part by a registered lobbyist for the Libyan regime of Col. Muammar Kaddafi -- a government formally branded by the State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism.
"Randa Fahmy Hudome, who just this month signed a $1.4 million contract to represent the Libyan government, served as a behind-the-scenes 'media consultant' helping to prepare this week's press release praising Bush’s record in promoting 'human rights, democracy and self-determination' in the Middle East, a chief organizer of the group told NEWSWEEK. ...
"Until last year, Hudome was a top Bush administration energy official, serving as chief aide on international issues to Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. Her new role as Washington representative for the Kaddafi regime has raised eyebrows in Washington’s lobbying community -- both because of the lucrative size of her contract and her continued connections with the Bush campaign. Until President Bush lifted most economic sanctions against Libya this summer, citing its cooperation in giving up its nuclear program, it was illegal for Americans to have financial dealings with Libya -- or represent its government in Washington. ...