Questions About Lobbyists

[erpowers]

I have a few questions about lobbyists and people's feelings toward lobbyists. It seems that there is evidence that suggests people do not like lobbyists. Why do people seem hate lobbyists? Do most people just hate lobbyists who lobby for things they do not like? When you hear the word lobbyist what do you think about? When you hear the word lobbyist do you think about someone trying to promote a bill supported by the AARP or do you think about a defense department bill that has a billion dollar contract for some weapons system? Is there anything that would make people like lobbyists?

[cbayer]

1. This is a great question.

There are all kinds of lobbyists, including those that do very good and important work. They are particularly important in representing groups that really can't represent themselves, like persons with mental illness.

How do we differentiate between lobbyists who may only be representing corporate greed and those that represent groups for social justice? It concerns me when we take a hard stand against entire groups when many members are doing good.

[onenote]

2. I'm a lobbyist and everyone likes me.

Okay, maybe not everyone at DU. But everyone else I know. Of course most of them are lobbyists too. Just kidding. I have loads of non-lobbyist friends. Most people recognize that I'm essentially acting as a lawyer, representing my clients interests. SOmetimes that happens in court (where its not called lobbying). SOmetimes it happens before an administrative agency (where it often is lobbying but isn't always called that). And sometimes it happens before Congress.

There are all kinds of interests that use lobbyists and all kinds of lobbyists. There are influence peddling lobbyists who serve to open the door for their clients and to get their positions presented to the "right" members. There are lobbyists who are more substantive -- who help shape those positions and present them. There are lobbyists that are mostly fundraisers and lobbyists who do little or no fundraising (I'm in the latter category for what its worth -- I've hosted one fundraiser in my entire career and I didn't even organize it, just lent my house for it to be held there).

[stillcool]

3. Jack Abramoff...

and the revolving door have made 'lobbyists' a dirty word.