Accused Sexual Predator Hires Two Republican Lobbyists

They say politics makes strange bedfellows, but we’re having trouble figuring this one out.

Disgraced animal rights lobbyist Wayne Pacelle put out a press release saying he’s hired two new lobbyists for his group Animal Wellness Action, which he founded after he resigned as CEO of the Humane Society of the United States following accusations of sexual misconduct and harrassment.

Why anyone would jeopardize their career and reputation working for someone like Pacelle is an open question, but even stranger, the two lobbyists work in conservative and libertarian politics–causes that Pacelle works to undermine. Zach Bennett, the first lobbyist, previously worked for U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), while Don Green, the second, previously worked for Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL).

Among the many reasons this is a puzzling move for these two lobbyists:

• Pacelle has spent nearly $1 million to help elect Democrats through Animal Wellness Action, according to federal campaign finance records;
• Pacelle wants to ban hunting and end modern animal agriculture;
• Pacelle supports laws that ban the sale of veterinarian-approved food products like pork, and clothing made with natural fibers;
• Under Pacelle, HSUS paid over $10 million to settle a lawsuit alleging racketeering and bribery;
• Pacelle endorsed convicted dogfighter Michael Vick getting another dog not long after Vick was released from prison. Coincidentally, of course, Vick’s employer at the time, the Philadelphia Eagles, paid HSUS $50,000;

We could go on, but you get the point. What are those two guys thinking?

Cynics say that the attitude in Washington, DC is that “everyone’s money is green.” Perhaps. But the simpler explanation is that Tweedledee and Tweedledum simply didn’t do their homework on who Pacelle is and what he stands for.

Hitching yourself to an anti-farmer, anti-hunting, scandal-ridden swamp creature seems like a surefire way to kill your own career in conservative politics.