The inevitable lobbying showdown

by Jeremy P. Jacobs - 03/01/09 9:36 AM ET

I imagine much will be made today of this New York Times story on left-wing lobbying groups gearing up for a battle for several of President Obama’s initiatives, including healthcare. We wrote about that story’s protagonist, Ralph Neas, earlier this month when he was named CEO of the National Coalition on Healthcare and, according to the TImes article, he has already stepped up the group’s efforts.

Recent days have found Mr. Neas in a new perch, preparing to join the coming fight over President Obama

President Obama’s message to lobbyists on Saturday: Bring it on. Lobbyists were already preparing to do so.

Big business, which had largely backed the president