1. Lobbying

2. What is lobbying? Acquiring and transmitting information to legislators. Strategically provide information to change or reinforce legislators’ beliefs about legislative outcomes, potential effects of policies, and electoral ramifications of actions

3. What is lobbying? A set of behaviors Cultivating good relationships with legislators Researching policy issues Gathering information about legislators’ voting intentions Testifying before congressional committees Communicating group preferences to legislators Engaging in public relations campaigns Mobilizing rank and file group members and sympathizers

4. What makes information believable?

5. The information itself –Relevance to decision being made –Balance, treatment of counterarguments –Credibility of Sources –Presentation Who it comes from

6. How do lobbyists influence legislators? Access vs. Influence Get access: Lobbyists try to position themselves favorably so they can be listened to at a later time Be a trusted source Learn legislator’s existing beliefs, policy preferences, and electoral sensitivity to craft specific message Learn about upcoming votes, procedural decisions Influence comes when legislators adjust their beliefs based on lobbying information

7. Three types of information Constituency preferences and Re-election Legislative process Policy consequences and ramifications

8. Discussion Why is the messenger important? Is the practice of “gaining access” itself problematic? Why or why not? What is the Revolving Door?Revolving Door? What is the problem with the Revolving Door? What is the K Street Strategy? Is the K Street Strategy problematic? Why?