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Lobbyist bashing is in vogue |
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By Dave Wenhold
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Posted: 09/12/07 05:43 PM [ET] |
The campaign trail is in full gear and our Presidential presidential hopefuls are quickly building their campaign platforms. As the race for the White House heats up, it is no surprise that some candidates are attempting to gain votes by enumerating the evils of the lobbying community.
For example, it appears that former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) has added lobbyist-bashing to his platform. Yet Edwards utilized personal and professional contacts in the legal field to raise millions to fund his Senate race.
In case you missed Edwards’s comments, how he feels about the lobbying community was made quite clear during the recent presidential debate in Iowa: “Lobbyists stand between us and the change that America needs”; “We have to take the power from them”; “I don’t believe you can change this country without taking on the lobbyists”; “You have to take these people on and beat them.”
I find Edwards’s comments off the mark. As someone who represents nonprofits, associations and yes, even low-income folks, I believe they deserve a voice in their government, and that’s what I do. Maybe I am a little rusty on my understanding of the political system, but do lobbyists ever get to vote on the floor? Isn’t that the bottom line? The elected members are the ones who decide what passes and what does not and are accountable to their constituencies for their votes.
I believe most members vote their conscience, based on information and their judgment on what will best serve their constituents and the country. That’s why they were elected and entrusted with their constituents’ faith in voting for those constituents’ best interests. Lobbyists play a key role by providing solidly factual and reliable information to members and their staffs, helping them sift through the minutiae of the thousands of bills that cross their desks every year. Each bill has so many nuances that it would be nearly impossible for a legislator or staff to dig through them and determine who is going to be affected most heavily and what favorable alternatives may exist. This is where the lobbyist plays a key role in our political system — as subject matter experts who provide information. Once again, we do not get to vote!
Lobbyists do and should have a role in our political system; it is a constitutional right to be able to petition the government. Lobbyists are paid by their clients to help them navigate the confusing and often nonsensical ways that Washington works. Our job is to help our clients interact with the massive government and ensure that their message is not lost.
Contrary to popular belief, our job is not to buy or rent members. The media and some candidates enjoy pointing the finger at lobbyists and yelling from the podiums, “It’s their fault.” Well, I suggest those members and candidates look in the mirror and realize that they have the ultimate power — the power of the vote.
I also have a very simple solution for members who claim they are handcuffed by “special interests.” Simply stop asking and pressuring lobbyists, corporations and associations for money. Every lobbyist and political action committee (PAC) I know gets dozens of faxes, e-mails and phone calls from members or candidates every week asking for money. By not soliciting funds, the perception of members being corrupted by special interests will fade away. I know what you’re thinking: It’s an oversimplified and unrealistic solution; but it is an option.
As for Edwards or any other candidate, accepting money directly from the Democratic or Republican national committees, which do accept money from PACs, lobbyists, corporations and even attorneys, does not give you carte blanche to bash the lobbying community and claim that you have never taken lobbyists’ money.
Demonizing the lobbying profession may be in vogue today, but in this turbulent political landscape, it certainly won’t win a presidential election. Focus on creating solutions for the serious issues that face this country and not the inflammatory ones that will get you a 2 percent bump.
Dave Wenhold, CAE, is a founding partner of Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, a Washington government-affairs and grassroots lobbying firm. He also serves as the first vice president of the American League of Lobbyists. He can be reached at
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