Apple adds muscle in Washington with hire of White House insider

Posted:
in General Discussion
Apple has put a new face on its efforts to lobby the federal government, bringing in Cynthia Hogan -- a Washington cognoscente with close ties to the White House -- to lead its office in the District.




Hogan will serve as vice president for public policy and government affairs for the Americas beginning April 29, according to Politico. She will report to former EPA administrator and current Apple environment and policy chief Lisa Jackson.

"Cynthia's intellect and judgment have consistently distinguished her as a uniquely talented professional and we're lucky to have her join the team at Apple," Jackson told the publication.

Hogan attended Oberlin College and the University of Virginia School of Law. She began her Washington career as an aide to then-Senator Joe Biden in 1993 and eventually served as Staff Director of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

After leaving the Senate to raise a family, Hogan rejoined Biden in the White House. She served a wide-ranging advisory role and is credited with shepherding Sonia Sotomayor through her nomination to the Supreme Court.

Before joining Apple, Hogan spent two years lobbying on behalf of the National Football League.
«1

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 24
    boltsfan17boltsfan17 Posts: 2,294member
    This is a really good move on Apple's part. Apple really has no choice but to hire lobbyists in order to get it through the heads of these morons in government the dangers of forcing companies to have back doors in their products. 
    baconstangbadmonk
  • Reply 2 of 24
    rogifan_newrogifan_new Posts: 4,297member
    Does Apple hire anybody that doesn't work for Democrats? There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. Might be a good idea to have a few Republicans in Apple's lobbying department...that is if Lisa Jackson can put her bias aside.
    patchythepirateboltsfan17SpamSandwichlkrupp
  • Reply 3 of 24
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,273member
    In my view, there is little chance of a Republican administration, at least with the current crop of potential candidates. My observation is that the Republicans, unlike the Democrats, have evolved a primary system that relies on hyper-partisanism that actually hurts their chances in the general election for President, where tastes tend to run more mainstream. The system they have, however, seems to work well for them on the Congressional level; but Congress is really -- far more so than the choice for President -- what needs to be fixed in this next election.
    patchythepiratepotatoleeksouplostkiwibaconstang
  • Reply 4 of 24
    palominepalomine Posts: 362member
    It's about time. They need an army of lobbyists. I know this goes against their basic sensibilities and seems totally unnecessary for making great products. However, they can't make great things if they are harassed by the government as well as the usual flakes and a zillion court cases. It is so apparent that the govt loathes Apple for some reason/s. I really don't understand the DOJ at all! Apple is the flagship corporate ambassador of America!! Perhaps when the current administration leaves office we can see some light shed on this. Remember, Obama has been in office since 2008, almost all of Apple's best years. I now think they were best years in spite of this govt. The SEC should have been all over some of the financial aspects of the stock market itself, but is underfunded or incompetent or crooked. My family for one, would like to see some of the value of the stock unleashed. AAPL seems to belong to the hedge fund guys. I often wonder how it is that the stock seems to go up and down in what looks to me like a controlled manner. The other big tech stocks seem to bounce around on impulse. Those of us who have a lot of the stock are so tired of the negative headlines and %40 crashes every two years. There are lots of stocks I follow and none are so trashed as Apple is.
    radarthekatpatchythepirate
  • Reply 5 of 24
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,258member
    There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. 
    ha ha ha! 
    ai46baconstang
  • Reply 6 of 24
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,258member

    This is a really good move on Apple's part. Apple really has no choice but to hire lobbyists in order to get it through the heads of these morons in government the dangers of forcing companies to have back doors in their products. 
    Yup.... I'm afraid that is so. The tech industry needs to spend big on lobbying and campaign contributions in order to avoid colossal stupidity. 
  • Reply 7 of 24
    kent909kent909 Posts: 731member
    Word of the Day: cognoscente  --  a connoisseur; a discerning expert: the art historian as professional, expert, cognoscente, and aficionado. :) 
    nathanimal
  • Reply 8 of 24
    kent909kent909 Posts: 731member

    blastdoor said:
    There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. 
    ha ha ha! 
    Don't be so cocky. They may not be able to win the election without cheating but I don't put them above cheating. Americans continue to expand what they are willing to let slide, no matter how offensive or destructive. Trump is continuously showing what sniveling cowards we are. 
    palominebrakken
  • Reply 9 of 24
    boltsfan17boltsfan17 Posts: 2,294member
    blastdoor said:
    There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. 
    ha ha ha! 
    Why do you find the original comment funny? There is a very high chance our next president will be a Republican.
    redraider11lkrupp
  • Reply 10 of 24
    boltsfan17boltsfan17 Posts: 2,294member

    chasm said:
    In my view, there is little chance of a Republican administration, at least with the current crop of potential candidates. My observation is that the Republicans, unlike the Democrats, have evolved a primary system that relies on hyper-partisanism that actually hurts their chances in the general election for President, where tastes tend to run more mainstream. The system they have, however, seems to work well for them on the Congressional level; but Congress is really -- far more so than the choice for President -- what needs to be fixed in this next election.
    I disagree. People are sick of the way things have been going under the Obama administration. Hilary would be like another 4 years of Obama. Bernie has no chance winning the Democratic nominee. Trump has a tremendous amount of support and votes if he wins the Republican nomination. Democrats are just as guilty as Republicans running a primary system that relies on hyper-partisanism. If you look at the big picture of politics in this country, partisan hatred is ruining this country. Partisan hatred goes across both party lines. 
    redraider11lkrupp
  • Reply 11 of 24
    This woman sounds really great. And I see no reason to be cynical about this new direction. Steve was prickly towards stuff like this but execs who are grounded in a different form of reality can understand that business and government have to work together in many ways.

    Apple's cash could play a role in relevant campaigns. And hopefully once that begins to happen, we won't have quite as many fiascos like the Amazon ebooks ruling.
    baconstangpacificfilm
  • Reply 12 of 24
    volcanvolcan Posts: 1,799member
    boltsfan17 said:

    People are sick of the way things have been going under the Obama administration. 
    Especially with a Republican controlled congress.
    lostkiwipropodbanchobaconstangpalomine
  • Reply 13 of 24
    rogifan_newrogifan_new Posts: 4,297member
    blastdoor said:
    There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. 
    ha ha ha! 
    You do know that people other than liberals live, work and vote in this country, right? After 8 years of a democrat and people not exactly in love with Hillary Clinton there's a very good chance the next president will not be a democrat. Even still it wouldn't hurt for Apple to have a bit more diversity outside of gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. After all congress is run by republicans and congress makes the laws.
    redraider11
  • Reply 14 of 24
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,241member
    Her work history works for her. Lobbying for the NFL is great for her resume. The NFL gets away with everything and has all sorts of special exemptions. Having someone who knows how to make sure her employer gets at least a fair shake in Washington is a must nowadays. 

    As for the political fighting going on in here today, this is exactly why Congress can't get anything done. Nobody is willing to understand what is needed for the people to actually live, all they care about is who's paying their salary (under the table). 
    stompypalomine
  • Reply 15 of 24
    volcanvolcan Posts: 1,799member
    Does Apple hire anybody that doesn't work for Democrats? There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. Might be a good idea to have a few Republicans in Apple's lobbying department...that is if Lisa Jackson can put her bias aside.
    I think a lobbyist's job is to bribe both sides of the aisle without any political party bias. Just get the job done. Whatever it takes.
    redraider11palominebanchobaconstang
  • Reply 16 of 24
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    volcan said:
    Does Apple hire anybody that doesn't work for Democrats? There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. Might be a good idea to have a few Republicans in Apple's lobbying department...that is if Lisa Jackson can put her bias aside.
    I think a lobbyist's job is to bribe both sides of the aisle without any political party bias. Just get the job done. Whatever it takes.
    'Get the job done' goes both ways but but the cynic in me suspects the results tend to lean heavily towards the money. Lobbyists have no place within the halls of government in a modern democracy.
  • Reply 17 of 24
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,103member
    volcan said:
    Does Apple hire anybody that doesn't work for Democrats? There is a chance the next administration could be Republican. Might be a good idea to have a few Republicans in Apple's lobbying department...that is if Lisa Jackson can put her bias aside.
    I think a lobbyist's job is to bribe both sides of the aisle without any political party bias. Just get the job done. Whatever it takes.
    Last time I looked, there's no "D" or "R" on cash.
  • Reply 18 of 24
    This woman sounds really great. And I see no reason to be cynical about this new direction. Steve was prickly towards stuff like this but execs who are grounded in a different form of reality can understand that business and government have to work together in many ways.

    Apple's cash could play a role in relevant campaigns. And hopefully once that begins to happen, we won't have quite as many fiascos like the Amazon ebooks ruling.
    Not only that, but she has been part of the team that keeps the nonprofit  Church of NFL "out of harms way" of the tax guys, while delivering addictive (football) substances to a hungry public. No matter Mr. Goodell is considered the 'most powerful man in sports' by many, he didn't keep palms greased and votes controlled alone, as that's where a pro in lobbying shines.
    The whole process still sounds sordid, underhanded though unavoidable in contemporary politics, unlike lots of players receiving long running death sentences through concussions "unnoticed" by medical and management staff.
    edited April 2016
  • Reply 19 of 24
    volcanvolcan Posts: 1,799member
    baconstang said:

    Last time I looked, there's no "D" or "R" on cash.
    Now, now... Cash is a four letter word. Luncheons, caviar, wine and dine, private planes, fishing excursions, ring side seats, five star hotels, escorts, all perfectly legit'.
    edited April 2016
  • Reply 20 of 24
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    chasm said:
    In my view, there is little chance of a Republican administration, at least with the current crop of potential candidates. My observation is that the Republicans, unlike the Democrats, have evolved a primary system that relies on hyper-partisanism that actually hurts their chances in the general election for President, where tastes tend to run more mainstream. The system they have, however, seems to work well for them on the Congressional level; but Congress is really -- far more so than the choice for President -- what needs to be fixed in this next election.
    Not to derail the thread (even though you started it!), but I think the chances of Trump winning are strong and will continue to grow once people realize that Clinton (and her husband) in the White House (again) would not be a good thing. The country is on a rapid decline into Marxism unless things radically change and fast.
Sign In or Register to comment.