Two years late, Ridge registers as lobbyist

It took a Justice Department inquiry for former Gov. Tom Ridge to register as a lobbyist, almost two years after he began lobbying for the government of Albania, Roll Call reports (subscription only).

Ridge, whose name has been floated as a possible running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, told the newspaper he initially didn't think it necessary to registe after being awarded the almost half-million-dollar lobbying contract.

"It was brought to my attention after the contract expired and my lawyer said under the circumstances I probably should have filed," said Ridge, who is also the McCain campaign's national co-chair.