Cassidy & Associates Is The New Alexander Strategy Group Part II

In recent days, Cassidy & Associates has continued its drive to become for Rep. Roy Blunt what the Alexander Strategy Group was for Rep. Tom DeLay.

While Rep. Roy Blunt is busy out giving interviews to Fox News talking about what a reformer he is, the Senior VP of one of K Street's largest firms is back in Blunt's official office quarterbacking his campaign for Majority Leader.

Roll Call reports today:

In the case of Blunt, GOP leadership aides said the most visible outside help is coming from Gregg Hartley, formerly chief of staff for Blunt’s whip operation and now a top lobbyist for Cassidy and Associates.

Blunt’s Whip office is part of the suite of rooms occupied by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) on the second and third floors of the Capitol and includes Blunt’s leadership office, his communications staff and a conference room.

Several GOP sources said Hartley is often seen roaming through Blunt’s office area, meeting with the Missouri Republican or his staff, using the elevator located in the Speaker’s suite or talking with aides in the conference room.

“He’s there a ton, I can tell you that,” said a Republican aide who often is in the Speaker’s suite. “He’s still heavily involved in Blunt’s PAC stuff and fundraising.”

Another GOP insider said Hartley “has been in and out of the Capitol constantly” since the Majority Leader race began. “He just doesn’t meet with Blunt, he meets with staff.”

Cassidy & Associates has been drawing substantial attention in recent weeks.  Fired Up! recently profiled Gregg Hartley's ties to Blunt, and Hartley was also mentioned in a NY Times story regarding K Street influence.

Fired Up! also told the story of Juan Carlos Benitez ascent on K Street.  In addition, Team Abramoff alum Todd Boulanger, who is married to Blunt's spokeswoman Jessica Boulanger, has also been in the news for contracts he has been hustling with states around the country on behalf of Cassidy.

Interesting concept of reform that Rep. Blunt has.