Republicans plan to post live online video of meeting with business groups

Republicans plan to livestream a meeting with trade group lobbyists next week after Democrats criticized the previously closed-door discussions.

Republicans plan to livestream a meeting with trade group lobbyists next week after Democrats criticized the previously closed-door discussions.

House GOP leaders had planned to meet with business representatives as part of their “America Speaking Out” campaign, an ongoing effort to develop a platform for the 2010 elections.

When word of the meeting got around, Democrats immediately accused Republicans of letting lobbyists “write their agenda.” The DNC mocked the effort as “Lobbyists Speaking Out.”

But House Republicans plan to rebut that criticism by streaming the meeting online, according to a Republican leadership aide.

“Unlike Democrats, who have operated this Congress through kickbacks, payoffs and slimy sweetheart deals, we take transparency seriously,” said Brendan Buck, the spokesman for America Speaking Out.

The meeting, planned by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), will include representatives from the National Federation of Independent Business, the Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Manufacturers — groups who most often support Republican candidates and policies.

Buck said discussions would focus on employment and economic growth, and ideas resulting from the meeting would be posted on AmericaSpeakingOut.com.

“Despite the hyperbole of liberal bloggers and Democratic political operatives, this event is focused on one thing: creating private sector jobs,” he said.

“In fact, I hope the DNC tunes in to hear from America’s small businesses, manufacturers and job creators about how Democratic policies are killing American jobs and drowning our nation in debt. While Democrats obviously want to continue sitting in the sandbox playing political games, Republicans are listening to the American people and looking for solutions to get Americans back to work.”