'Rainmaker' lobbyist aids Biden

The Washington Times reports:

When Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. started a new political fundraising committee three years ago, he turned to a longtime Washington insider for help - the partner of a lobbying firm co-founded by his son.

William Oldaker, a federal lobbyist whom one watchdog group dubbed "the rainmaker," and his associates have held dual roles as insiders for Mr. Biden's political committees and the lobbying firm co-founded by his son R. Hunter Biden.

Since 2005, Mr. Biden's fundraising committee, Unite Our States, has raised more than $2 million, including at least $115,000 in donations from employees and clients of Mr. Oldaker and his son's lobbying firm, D.C.-based Oldaker, Biden and Belair.

One Chicago law firm specializing in asbestos lawsuits paid the lobbying firm $220,000, while its employees have given Mr. Biden's campaigns and fundraising committee more than $70,000 in donations, Federal Election Commission records show.

Oldaker, Biden and Belair has increased its lobbying revenues from $500,000 in 2002 to $3.5 million last year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Since 2005, the firm has received more than $10 million from corporate lobbying clients and political campaigns. Mr. Biden has used Oldaker, Biden and Belair lawyers to provide legal services for his campaigns.

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