Obama Campaign Caps a Lobbyist

When his donation was returned by Barack Obama's campaign, lawyer and corporate lobbyist Thurgood Marshall Jr. wasn't surprised. The presidential hopeful had barred contributions from lobbyists. (He sent in $500 before he knew of the ban.) But what the son of the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall couldn't figure out was why the campaign returned more than he gave. Turns out Marshall, who served in the Clinton administration, shelled out $30 for campaign hats and T-shirts before his son, Will, began his internship in Obama's Senate office last summer. And that qualified as a donation. "So, basically," Marshall chuckles, "I got the things for free." For the record, Marshall, who hasn't endorsed anyone, has given to many Democrats—including Hillary Clinton. Note: She hasn't returned the donation.