“When the Distilled Spirits Council threw its blowout bash Monday in downtown Denver, lobbyists from places like Daimler, Amgen, and Lockheed Martin mingled with politicians. Never mind that Congress passed a law in 2007 cutting back on comingling. The distillers found a loophole: By distributing literature on underage drinking, the party qualified as ‘educational’ and was therefore legit. That’s just one way party-throwers are keeping this year’s shindigs within bounds. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, passed by Democrats when they first took over Congress, prohibits lobbyists from paying for gifts to members, including meals and music. But the legislation has more loopholes than a Scottish fortress.” (08/26/08)