Nation: An S.O.B. with Elbows

Lyndon Johnson once called him "an s.o.b. with elbows." Explains the recipient of that odd encomium, Texas-born Charlie Walker: "Down where we come from, that's a term of endearment." In fact, just about everybody in Washington likes the breezy, boisterous superlobbyist, who represents the nation's biggest corporations, including General Motors Corp., Gulf Oil Corp. and the country's five largest airlines. Even Walker's opponents openly admire him. Says liberal Lawyer Max Kampelman: "He's always on the wrong side, but he's good for his clients. He delivers."

Walker combines the oldtime lobbying techniques of banter...

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