26: The Insider's Lobbyist: How lobbying really works, with David Carmen
Aug 25, 2023
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David Carmen, founder of the Carmen Group and one of the top lobbyists in the nation, joins Fundrise CEO Ben Miller to discuss the history of lobbying and its transformation into a professional industry. They dive into lobbying efforts in major projects like post-9/11 cleanup and environmental support. They also explore legislative permission and regulatory obstacles, telecom mergers, government regulation of AI, and the impact of innovation in the financial industry.
Revitalizing a declining city requires visionary leadership, strategic planning, and changes in government-city relations.
Disruption and innovation have the power to transform industries and societies, driving positive change.
The United States needs to streamline and reduce regulatory burdens to foster entrepreneurship and maintain its innovative edge.
Deep dives
The Vision and Revitalization of Washington, D.C.
The podcast discusses the revitalization of Washington, D.C. during a period of financial difficulty in the 1980s. The guest, David Karmund, highlights the visionary leadership of Ben Miller's father in transforming the city. The city was bankrupt, had high crime rates, and a declining population. However, with a vision for a gleaming capital city, a team of experts, and a plan to attract businesses and residents back to the city, they were able to turn things around. This involved changes in the relationship between the federal government and the city, incentives for retail and sports, suppression of outdated regulations, and a commitment to fighting crime and improving schools. Today, the city is thriving, but there is concern that it may be headed towards a similar decline due to pushing out people who can pay and attracting those in need.
The Importance of Disruption and Innovation
David Karmund emphasizes the importance of disruption and innovation for overcoming challenges and driving positive change. He uses the example of Uber's entrance into the market, which initially faced legal challenges and opposition from traditional taxi services. However, by providing a convenient and desired service, Uber gained popularity among customers, leading to a shift in the political landscape. This highlights the power of disruption to transform industries and societies. Karmund encourages entrepreneurs to embrace disruption, noting that the system can absorb it and ultimately lead to a better society.
The Complicated Regulatory Environment and the Need for Reform
The podcast explores the complex regulatory environment in the United States and the challenges it poses for entrepreneurs. Karmund highlights the significant weight of regulations at the federal, state, and local levels and how it hampers innovation and opportunity. He suggests that the United States needs to streamline and reduce regulatory burdens to foster entrepreneurship and economic prosperity. Karmund believes that many other parts of the world offer a more conducive environment for innovation, making it crucial for the United States to reform its regulations to maintain its innovative edge.
The Shift in Congressional Politics and the Need for Compromise
The podcast delves into the dynamics of congressional politics and the decline of compromise and deal-making. Karmund explains that the ban on earmarks in the early 2000s fundamentally changed how Congress operated. This shift resulted in a lack of negotiation and compromise, as the currency of the legislative branch was removed. Karmund argues that the lack of bipartisan cooperation and compromise in Congress has contributed to the dysfunction and inability to solve important issues. He advocates for the return of earmarks and the restoration of meaningful negotiations to drive productive policy-making.
The Contention of Interests and the Value of Lobbying
David Karmund discusses the role of lobbying in the political system and dispels some misconceptions. He contends that lobbying is a sign of a healthy democratic system where interests are contending with each other. He explains that lobbying has undergone a professionalization process and provides effective advocacy based on the merits of each case. Karmund shares examples of his lobbying work, including helping resolve issues after 9/11 and navigating the complexities of telecom mergers. He highlights the importance of expertise and understanding the regulatory landscape to effectively advocate for clients.
In our latest episode of Onward, Fundrise CEO Ben Miller is joined by David Carmen, founder of the Carmen Group and one of the top lobbyists in the nation. He has worked on some of the most important issues of the past nearly half century — from 9/11 to Softbank’s $22B acquisition of Sprint. With increasing polarization and political dysfunction, many may feel that our democracy is at risk. Most people don’t know why, let alone how we might fix it. With nearly 40 years as a Washington-DC-insider, David Carmen has real knowledge and concrete suggestions that he argues could bring us into a new era of effective government.
Have questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a note at Onward@Fundrise.com.
Onward is hosted by Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise, and Cardiff Garcia, co-founder of Bazaar Audio and host of the economics-focused podcast The New Bazaar (after spending many years as the co-creator and co-host of NPR's The Indicator podcast).
Podcast production by The Podcast Consultant. Music by Seaplane Armada.
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