Lobbying for the bailout

While the Whitehouse, the Post, and the Times report on Geithner's efforts to limit lobbying for bailout money, Politico notes Geithner has just hired a lobbiest as his Chief of Staff.  I find myself scratching my head at this one.  At the same time, I think it makes clear exactly how hard it is to reform the system.  In Washington, lobbiest is sometimes little more than code for "partisan consultant."  Consultant can mean anything from legitimate consultant to "unemployed, but looking for gigs."  If we are to have change, the lobbying community will essentially have to become firewalled off.  Once a lobbiest, one will need to leave the profession for a few years before being eligible to return to government.  Right now, doing this might eliminate some of the best candidates for positions.  However, if these rules continue, it will become part of the Washington Routine and folks will know - if I go lobby, I'm severely limiting my ability to take other jobs.