2006 Press Articles
National Journal’s – Technology Daily:
Lobbying: New Firm Puts Spotlight on Tech Lobbying Presence
Healther Greenfield
9-18-2006
Opportunity burns and other tech lobbyists point to the improvements made by tech companies in recent years. Bruce Mehlman, former assistant secretary for tech policy at the Commerce Department and founder of Mehlman, Vogel, Castagnetti, whose clients include IBM, Intel and the Internet Innovation Alliance, said despite being in town for less than a decade, such firms have been able to “hold their own against the large battalions” of older industries … “The biggest challenge to the sector is [that] a legacy of limited regulation has lulled fast-moving companies into the sense they can each have their own trade association and play partially,” Mehlman said. “They’re going to need to continue investing for the long term to sustain their success.”
Roll Call
Watching, Waiting on K St.
Kate Ackley
9-11-2006
“We don’t hire based on perceived prevailing political winds,” said Mehlman, adding, “We want to be bipartisan, but there is no quota. Our Republicans are doing everything we can to maintain Republican control. Our Democrats are doing everything they can to gain Democratic control. But we are all working as hard as we can to help our clients win regardless of who’s in control.”
National Journal
Lobby Shops
Gregg Sangillo, Mark Kukis, Kellie Lunney, and Peter Bell
08-12-2006
“Dean Rosen, head of the health care practice at lobby shop Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, is now a partner at the firm … Rosen 41, arrived at MVC barely a year ago. But he’s already attracted high-profile health care clients, including the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and America’s Health Insurance Plans … MVC’s roster reflects a commitment to bipartisanship: The nine-person shop boasts four Republicans and five Democrats. All have significant experience on Capitol Hill… One recent hire is Stacey Rampy, who was senior director and counsel at Merck and a former legislative director to Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif. “We’re kind of an all-chiefs-and-no-Indians shop,” says Mehlman, referring to the firm’s penchant for hiring former congressional chiefs of staff. Castagnetti, who has worked for a string of top Democrats, says, “Hiring a flash in the pan might mean short term gain, but that’s not how you become part of the fabric of D.C.” And a successful lobby shop needs a well-connected team. Adds Mehlman, “It’s not the firm D’s and the firm R’s – it’s the firm.”
Roll Call
Missing in Action?
Tory Newmyer and Kate Ackley
7-17-2006
“Democratic Growth. The employee count at Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti is almost into the double digits. The firm has just hired its ninth lobbyist, Democratic health care adviser Stacey Rampy, who spent the past five years with Merck and Co. … “We don’t have any artificial growth parameters or ideas,” said partner Alex Vogel … But, he said, the health care practice under another former first aide, Dean Rose, has taken off. “So we decided it’s clear if we have more people working on those issues, it’s better for our clients.”
The Hotline
Martin: The commissioner Is In The Details
National Journal Group, Inc.
6-26-2006
“Washington Post’s Mohammed ask, “So why is” FCC Chair Kevin Martin “standing on an unmade bed in a hotel room” in a Details photo “that also features” a lobbyist and a communication exec? Details ran the picture “as part of a photo essay” on influential media people. Martin appears “sans jacket and tie, his shirt open at the neck and his sleeves rolled up.” Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti’s Alex Vogel is on the edge of the bed playing cards with XM Radio exec Eric Logan.”
Congress Daily
Outlook- People
Mark Kukis
4-26-2006
“UP AND AWAY. David Thomas is now a principal at Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, signing with the growing lobbying firm after stepping down as chief of staff for Re. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.”
National
Journal Congress- A Prescription for More Rancor
Marilyn Werber Serafini
1-28-2006
“Dean Rosen, a former health care aide to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and now head of the health care practice at Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, said it would be a mistake to “overreact and do something that moves away from a consumer-driven, market-oriented program toward something mover government-controlled.”
“We shouldn’t abandon our principles for political expediency,” Rosen said. “An election year is not necessarily and ideal environment in which to make significant policy changes to a program that is less than a year old.”
Congress Daily
OUTLOOK- People
Emily Heil
11-14-2005
“Liz Hall, the new director of health policy for Senate Majority Leader Frist… assisted her predecessor, Dean Rosen, who was known on Capitol Hill for his issue expertise and for developing bipartisan relationship. When Rosen left the office to run the healthcare practice of Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti – the firm co-founded by another former “Fristie,” Alex Vogel – he took on the top health job.”
Congress Daily
OUTLOOK – People
Mark Kukis
6-17-2005
“CHIEF DEPARTURE. Kelly Bingel, chief of staff for Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., is joining the upstart lobbying firm of Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti … “Sen. Lincoln has been my mentor,” said Bingel, who holds a law degree from Georgetown and a bachelor’s in journalism from Louisiana State University. “There was never going to be a good time to leave.”
The Hill
Top Lobbyist- Hired Guns
Jonathan E. Kaplan
4-27-2005
“[T]he top lobbyist for individual corporations, as well as hired guns from law firms and public-affairs firms. The list is arrived at through conversation with members of Congress, key aides and other lobbyists.” … “Bruce Mehlman, Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Mehlman, a former Bush administration official and brother of current Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, has attracted a number of high-profile clients with partners Alex Vogel and David Castagnetti.”
National Journal
Lobbying & Law – Hard Times for K street Democrats?
Lisa Caruso
1-22-2005
“Don’t tell that to Kerry campaign veteran David Castagnetti, or to the two plugged-in Republicans who just hired him: Bruce Mehlman, the former assistant Commerce secretary for technology policy and the brother of Bush campaign manager and new Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman; and Alex Vogel, former chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Ten. The hot, once all-GOP lobby shop now proudly call itself Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, and is enthusiastically trumpeting its new bipartisan status.
Mehlman said that the firm’s goal was not simply to hire a fellow Republican, but rather someone with unquestioned integrity who was well respected and would complement its practice. “good firms hire good people,” regardless of party affiliations, Mehlman said. “I think the clients expect that. I think the Hill expects that.”
You’ve still got to get to the magic number of 60, and to be able to do that you have to be able to talk to Senate Democrats,” said Castagnetti, who worked for Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, before becoming name partner at what was then Bergner, Bockorny, Castagnetti & Hawkins (now Bockorny Petrizzo). He left that firm last March to join the Kerry campaign.”
The New York Times
For Lobbyist, the Hottest Parties Fall Outside the Official Lineup
Glen Justice and Anne E. Kornblut
1-15-2005
As thousand of Republican tourist prepare to flock to the presidential inaugural ceremony and parade on Thursday, Alex Vogel will spend his morning at a brunch honoring new Republican senators at the Charlie Palmer Steak restaurant overlooking the Capitol grounds. There, as a Republican lobbyist focused on the Senate, Mr. Vogel will be mixing with lawmakers who will decide the fate of many issues that are crucial to his clients.
…[F]or Mr.Vogel and hundreds of other lobbyists, this week is a social whirlwind with a serious business side: building the professional relationships essential to advancing their clients’ interests in the months ahead.
Mr. Vogel opened his lobbying firm eight months ago, teaming with Bruce Mehlman, a former assistant secretary for technology policy at the Commerce Department and brother to Ken Mehlman, manager of the 2004 Bush campaign, presumptive new chairman of the Republican Party and one for the most celebrated figures at inaugural events all over town.“
Roll Call
Senior Kerry Campaign Aide Joins Mehlman, Vogel at New Firm
Paul Kane
1-10-05
“The top liaison to Capitol Hill during the presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) has signed on as a partner with an up-and-coming lobbying firm run by a pair of GOP strategist who have deep connections to the White House and Senate Republican leadership.
Castagnetti’s “stellar reputation for integrity and effectiveness, combined with the incredible depth of his relationships in Congress, will expand our ability to help our clients win in Washington.” Mehlman said today in a statement.”
