For the first time, Demers discusses Clinton attack

Jim Demers, Senator Barack Obama’s New Hampshire co-chair, has publicly responded for the first time to Senator Hillary Clinton’s attack on his lobbying efforts.

“I was a little surprised by it, most people knew Obama wasn’t accepting money from federal lobbyists,” Demers said.

“I’m not a federal lobbyist.”

Demers is a registered lobbyist with the state of New Hampshire and heads the firm, The Demers Group.

Days before the primary, Clinton said in the ABC News debate, “When it comes to lobbyists, you know that Senator Obama’s chair in New Hampshire is a lobbyist. He lobbies for the drug companies.” Obama responded, “that’s not true.”

Clinton was arguing that Obama was breaking one of his campaign pledges. Obama pledged that he would not receive money from federal lobbyists.

Demers continues to assist Obama’s presidential campaign.“

This weekend I’ll be in Maine helping with the Sunday caucuses. Beyond that I’ll see how I can help on the weekends,” he said.