The Activities of Interest Groups Introduce. Define Interest Groups – they are a form of political speech therefore first amendment protection. The smaller the issue the more the lobbyist has power this is because of the unknown of the situation. Explain that the measure of an interest group’s influence is determined largely by their public support but also their size and wealth. They use several methods to get their points across. Presented by: Chloe Epley, Kylie Kurth and Sadie Robb

Information Best tactic Must be trustworthy, credible, precise and focused Interest Groups value Client Politics For interest groups giving information out to legislators or lobbyists is their most successful activity. The information given should be trustworthy, credible, precise and focused. The trust is very essential or the legislators will go elsewhere. It is vital for legislators to use information given to them via interest groups. they do not have the time to become experts in all subjects that they deal with. They could reference an encyclopedia but the information would not be quite as detailed as that of an interest group. The down side of this is that the information will in all likelihood be biased. Define client politics – information could either give client and advantage or burden them

Insider Strategy Small government Not as common Uses public opinion for big issues Political cues Originally used, especially when government was smaller,/before growth but not as common now as the main strategy but still used. Give example of small group meetings, golfing, look in book it gives several examples. Usually conducted in small groups. Explain what political cues are: value of vote for a party’s agenda, and come in faster/ with mopre frequency than before.

Outsider Strategy More common Individualistic nature of Congress Modern technology Ratings This strategy of collecting public opinion has become more common. This is partially due to Congress’ newly individualistic nature. Modern technology has allowed this tactic to be achievable. They use fax, radio, phone, email. Helps generate support and opinions. Ratings – assessment of voting records.

Grassroots Lobbying Major to outsider strategy Great emphasis Public officials Issue Public This is part of the Outsider strategy. Interest groups have placed great emphasis developing these roots. Generates pressure to aim public opinions at officials. Issue public- smaller section of affected group/public not every voter

Public Pressure Controversy avoidance Public Nerve Direct-Mail Campaign Dirty Dozen The success rate is hard to determine mainly because legislators don’t feel the pressure since they tend to only associate with groups that agree with them and vice versa. This is because they dislike controversy. Chloe there is you ironic. The exception to this rule is when a public nerve is struck. Example: p.282 FDA plan to ban saccharin was reversed. direct-mail campaign is usually a small but passionate group of people sending in complaints. Explain dirty dozen : name of representatives against Environmental Action in 1970 injured their reelection streak

Money Not proven to buy votes No longer the “all- powerful” indicator No lobby cannot be beat NRA Has never been proven fully that bribes can buy votes a congressman could take the money but doesn't necessarily mean that they voted that way. And any correlation could have to do with the persuasive argument more so. Also money really just gains access not a guarantee. It is not the indicator of a powerful interest group. No lobby cannot be beat. Give the NRA anecdote about how they were very wealthy and uppity but lost major pieces of gun control legislation which gave them an negative image. “no matter how big its budget or mamoth its membership, is a lobby that cannot be beat.”

Reform 1973 Money Contributions Businesses and Labor Unions Major on the money front PACs growth This campaign finance reform law did two major things. A) It lowered the money allowed to be contributed to campaigns by interest groups. B) it allowed businesses and Labor Unions to form Public Action Committees. Changed how money was viewed in power for interest groups. And PACs increased six times.

PACs Public Action Committee Ideological PACs Numbers too grand Effectiveness… PACs or Public Action Committees… define. PACs relations to interest groups. Anything else PAC-like is to be put here. Ideological PACs are increasing. One third are liberal and two thirds are conservative. The Labor PACs tend to be democratic while business PACs are republican. The increase in PACs have dampened their effectiveness. The canidate is more than able to take money from all the PACs but again doesn’t necessarily mean a vote in favor.

Revolving Door Government jobs to private industry Corruption No clear pattern Deaver and Nofziger The revolving door is the term for government workers leaving their jobs for a possibly cushier position in private industry. The public worries that this gives unproportioned influence for self interest in government decisions. Ask their Washington friends for private favors. Corruptions. There is not a clear pattern of this abuse but it does happen. Big one was Michael K. Deaver – perjury. Lyn Nofziger – violated Ethics in Government Act. FDA with okaying a drug get job at pharmesuetical company. Competence.

Trouble Protest Demonstrations Both ends of political spectrum Sit-ins to bombings No good answer Favorite tactics of Americans are protest demonstrations. These are conducted by both sides of the political spectrum. They can be anything from sit-ins and picketing to lawsuits or so far as to shootings and bombings. While these tend to be the most noticeable of tactics it doesn’t necessarily mean it will get things done. The government has no good way to respond to these acts. If they ignore them it is considered cruel and hard-hearted but if they give in then the numbers of these that are enacted will just increase and cause an unending problem.