New York Dems squabble over Wall Street, lobbyists

Rep. Carolyn Maloney's (D-N.Y.) primary challenger is hitting her for raising campaign cash from "lobbyists" as the conference committee puts the finishing touches on the Wall Street reform bill.

New York attorney Reshma Saujani (D) released a Web video using a James Taylor song to highlight Maloney's Wednesday night fundraiser as work on the financial reform legislation wraps up.

Maloney was one of at least six Democrats who fundraised at Taylor and Carole King's Troubadour Reunion Tour concert at Washington's Verizon Center on Wednesday. 

"The Maloney campaign doesn't see anything wrong with giving lobbyists in-depth face time with the chair of the Joint Economic Committee and a member of the conference committee," the Saujani camp said in a statement.

The Maloney campaign said the fundraiser was organized before the conference committee was scheduled.

"This political attack marks the height of hypocrisy: Our opponent, a former hedge fund employee, is being bankrolled by the financial services industry while Maloney has a consistent record standing up to the special interests," Maloney spokeswoman Alix Anfang said in statement.

"Saujani has failed to gain traction because New Yorkers recognize Maloney's strong record of accomplishments. With no record of her own to run on, our opponent continues to run a desperate campaign."

Saujani's campaign said she doesn't accept money "from the special interest corporate PACs" but records show she has raised tens of thousands from contributors who work on Wall Street. 

Watch Saujani's video after the jump.

You've Got a Friend from James Allen on Vimeo.