General James Jones, who
retired last month as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces in Europe, has joined
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as lobbyist.
He is to focus on energy issues,
specifically encouraging development of homegrown sources and efficiencies.
Gen.
James Jones |
Jones will head the Institute for
Energy, which is to present itself as a grassroots organization. The Chamber went
a similar path with the creation of the Institute for Legal Reform, a group that
seeks to diminish the clout of trial lawyers and reduce the impact of class action
lawsuits on businesses.
Tom Donohue, president of the Chamber, said
Jones' mission is to "unify energy stakeholders behind a common strategy"
to produce affordable and secure supplies while protecting the environment.
Jones'
group will carry the Chamber's ball on the global warming front, which is a priority
of the Democrats.
The former U.S. Marine Commandant has close ties with
Republican presidential candidate John McCain. He served as military liaison to
Congress and worked closely with the Arizona's Senator.
Jones, upon
retirement from his NATO post, was praised by Virginia Senator John Warner for
leading the most aggressive transformation in NATO's history, which included "out-of-area
missions," such as putting 30,000 troops in Afghanistan. The former General,
who served as a platoon commander in Vietnam, also joined the board of Invacare
Corp. this month.
That Elyria, Ohio-headquartered company sells home
and long-term medical products. |