from Sunday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jeff
Monsanto lines up heavy-hitters as lobbyists
Jon Sawyer, Terence Samuel and Nahal Toosi
Once upon a time, Monsanto Co. had a corporate slogan that said, "Without chemicals, life itself
would be impossible." Today, under fire for its genetically modified agricultural products and the
constant topic of rumors as to the company's possible merger or sale, Monsanto's top brass appears to
be placing its bets on lobbyists instead.
The firm of Griffin, Johnson, Dover & Stewart Inc. and several of
its members registered with the Senate
last month as lobbyists for Monsanto. That's Griffin as in Patrick J. Griffin, former chief congressional
lobbyist for President Bill Clinton, and Johnson as in David E. Johnson, former director of the
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Not to slight the GOP, the Griffin firm also lists on its roster of Monsanto lobbyists Leonard Swinehart, a
top aide to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and Keith Heard, from the staff of Sen. Thad
Cochran, R-Miss.
Monsanto spokeswoman Lori J. Fisher confirmed the new hires with deft understatement: "I'm told that
they are currently working with Monsanto on a variety of biotech issues," she said. "As you know, they
have experience with both congressional and administration circles in D.C."
They almost sound like volunteers. We'd guess not, although the first report on fees isn't required until
early next year. Monsanto's own most recent report says that for the first half of 1999 it shelled out $2
million on D.C. lobbying activities.