Legislators dont have time to compile information

Lobbyists present info in an organized, persuasive, factual manner

Client politics nature of issue could give advantage to suppliers of certain information but burden on suppliers of contrary information

Political cue: tells official what values are at stake and if issue fits into their set of political beliefs

Ratings: assess a representatives voting record on issues important to an interest group

Insider strategy: lobbyists work closely with key members of Congress

Outsider strategy: designed to generate public pressure directly on government officials (grassroots lobbying)

Issue public: public directly affected by government policy

Members interest groups work with legislators with whom they agree

Only few issues are so important that member of Congress would think that to ignore public opinion would mean losing election

Lobbyists try direct-mail campaigns to arouse small, passionate group to write letters/vote

Dirty Dozen Congressmen votes against bills to help environment; lost them their re-election

Large, well-funded interest groups rarely all-powerful

Money one of less effective ways to advance groups causes

Campaign finance reform law of 1973: restricted amount any interest could give candidate; legal for corporations/labor unions to form political action committees (PACs) to make contributions

2004, top ten PACs were labor unions, business organizations, groups representing doctors, lawyers, realtors, government employees

Rise of ideological PACs (+1,000: liberal, conservative)

Make more money but give less since the way they raise it is expensive

Most PACs spend small sums of money over many candidates

Hundreds leave government for jobs in private industry

Michael K. Deaver (deputy chief of staff under Reagan) used former government contacts to help clients of public relation firm

Works other way: Ex lawyers of Federal Trade Commission might feel will be rewarded for being especially vigorous/effective prosecutors

Both ends of political spectrum used disruption

Feminists, antislavery, blacks: sit-ins to bombings

Ku Klux Klan: terror, intimidation, murder

Officials find selves in no-win situations