How To Buy A Politician (LEGALLY)

Is it possible to buy a politician? And if you can, how do you go about doing it? Today, we're diving into the world of lobbying in America. It's a system that's been called both the grease that keeps democracy running smoothly and the rot that's eating away at its foundations.

What is lobbying?

First things first, what exactly is lobbying? Simply put, it's the act of trying to influence government decisions. Now, you might be thinking, "Isn't that just democracy in action?" Well, yes and no. While lobbying can be a way for citizens to have their voices heard, it's also become a multi-billion dollar industry that gives those with deep pockets a much louder voice than the average Joe.

Let's start with some eye-opening numbers. In 2009, politically active organizations reported spending $3.47 billion on direct lobbying expenses. That's up from $1.44 billion just ten years earlier, and almost seven times the estimated $200 million spent in 1983. And these figures are likely underestimates! The number of organizations listed in the Washington Representatives directory doubled between 1981 and 2008, going from about 7,000 to 14,000 (Drutman, 2015).

But here's the kicker: consistently, almost half of these organizations represent business interests, and more than a third are individual corporations. Roughly 70 percent of the money spent on lobbying comes from groups representing business. So, if you want to play this game, it helps to have a corporate bankroll behind you (Drutman, 2015).

The Growth of Lobbying

Now, you might be wondering, "Why has lobbying grown so much?" Well, it's not just because there are more threats to business interests. In fact, the growth of lobbying has outpaced various measures of government size and activity. Between 1998 and 2008, lobbying expenditures increased by 77 percent, while the federal budget only grew by 38 percent (Drutman, 2015).

So what's driving this growth? According to political scientist Lee Drutman, it's a path-dependent learning process. In other words, once companies start lobbying, they tend to keep doing it and even expand their efforts (Drutman, 2015).

Here's how it works: A company might start lobbying to respond to a specific threat or opportunity. But once they set up a Washington office, several things happen. First, they start getting more information about what's happening in government, which makes them aware of more opportunities to influence policy. Second, they develop relationships and expertise that make their lobbying more effective. And third, the lobbyists they hire have a strong incentive to justify their jobs by finding more and more reasons to lobby (Drutman, 2015).

This process has transformed American businesses. Once skeptical of government and cautious about getting involved in politics, they've become increasingly confident, proactive, and aggressive in their lobbying efforts. They're not just playing defense anymore; they're actively trying to shape policy to their advantage (Drutman, 2015).

How Lobbying Works: Targets and Tactics

Now, let's talk about how to actually buy... I mean, influence a politician. First, you need to know where to focus your efforts. In 2022 and 2023, more than half of all lobbying activities were directed at members of Congress and their staff. That's nearly 70,000 contacts! Party leaders are particularly popular targets. For example, the office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was contacted 134 times, while former House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's office was contacted 273 times (Freeman, 2024).

But it's not just about quantity; it's about quality too. Members of crucial committees, like Foreign Relations and Armed Services, are prime targets because they have outsized influence on key legislation. One study found that meetings between foreign lobbyists and members of the House and Senate Foreign Affairs Committees accounted for 25 percent of all congressional meetings (Freeman, 2024).

So, how do you get these coveted meetings? Well, it helps to have friends in high places. Many lobbying firms employ former government officials, including former members of Congress. These "revolving door" lobbyists are particularly valuable because they already know the players and the game. According to one study, nearly 100 former members of Congress have lobbied for foreign interests since 2000 (Freeman, 2024).

The Revolving Door

This revolving door works both ways. Many government officials, including members of Congress and their staff, go on to lucrative careers in lobbying after leaving public service. This creates potential conflicts of interest, as officials may be influenced by the prospect of future employment when making policy decisions (Freeman, 2024).

The case of former Representative Ed Royce is particularly illustrative. While still in Congress, Royce recited Saudi talking points almost verbatim based on a factsheet distributed by lobbyists working on behalf of Saudi Arabia. After leaving Congress, he went on to become a lobbyist for the Saudi government (Freeman, 2024).

But let's say you don't have a former Senator on speed dial. Don't worry, there's another way to get attention: good old-fashioned cash. In 2022 and 2023 alone, lobbyists registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) reported making $14.3 million in political contributions. And here's a pro tip: some of these contributions happen on the exact same day the lobbyist meets with the member of Congress. Talk about striking while the iron is hot! (Freeman, 2024).

Now, you might be thinking, "Isn't it illegal for foreign interests to make campaign contributions?" Well, yes, it is. But here's the clever part: these contributions are reported as coming from the lobbyists' own funds, not their foreign clients. It's all perfectly legal, even if it does raise some eyebrows (Freeman, 2024).

Of course, money isn't everything. Sometimes, you need to wine and dine your targets. Many lobbying firms report organizing luncheons or dinners with members of Congress. For example, one firm regularly coordinates dinners between members of Congress and Saudi Arabia's Ambassador. In 2022 and 2023, they reported 107 activities just related to arranging these dinner plans. Remember, the way to a politician's heart is through their stomach... and their campaign fund (Freeman, 2024).

But lobbying isn't just about influencing politicians directly. It's also about shaping public opinion. That's why media outlets are another key target for lobbyists. In 2022 and 2023, the most contacted print media outlets were The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal (Freeman, 2024).

One popular tactic is placing op-eds in major newspapers. These opinion pieces carry a lot of weight with government officials and policymakers. Some lobbying firms even brag about their ability to craft "winning" op-eds that will get published. And here's a little secret: sometimes, the firms write the pieces themselves and then find "signatories" to put their names on them. It's ghostwriting, Washington style! (Freeman, 2024).

Case Study: AIPAC

Now, let's talk about a specific example of a powerful lobby: the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC. AIPAC is often described as one of the most influential lobbying groups in Washington. It's so powerful that former President Jimmy Carter once wrote that the "extraordinary lobbying efforts" of AIPAC were a major reason for the "reluctance to criticize policies of the Israeli government" (Samuels, 2024).

AIPAC's power comes from a combination of factors. First, it has a deep bench of supporters, including some of the most significant figures in the American-Jewish community. Second, it has a lot of money. AIPAC has spent more than $3 million in lobbying efforts this year alone - and that's just the tip of the iceberg (Samuels, 2024).

But perhaps AIPAC's most potent weapon is its implied sway. Politicians know that crossing AIPAC could mean trouble. As President Obama wrote in his memoir, "those who criticized Israeli policy too loudly risked being tagged as 'anti-Israel' (and possibly antisemitic) and is confronted with a well-funded opponent in the next election" (Samuels, 2024).

AIPAC has recently taken its influence game to a new level. In 2021, it established a political action committee and a super PAC, allowing it to directly contribute to political campaigns. This move has been controversial, with critics arguing that it endangers the political neutrality AIPAC has tried to cultivate for decades (Samuels, 2024).

It's important to note that AIPAC's influence has not gone unchallenged. In recent years, groups like J Street have emerged as alternatives, offering a different vision of what it means to be "pro-Israel." These groups argue that uncritical support for all Israeli policies isn't necessarily in the best interests of either Israel or the United States. This internal debate within the American Jewish community reflects the complex nature of lobbying and foreign influence (Samuels, 2024).

Case Study: Oil and Gas Industry

But AIPAC isn't the only game in town. Let's look at another powerful lobby: the oil and gas industry. In New Mexico, for example, the oil industry has been fighting hard against efforts to reform well cleanup regulations. The state has more than 70,000 unplugged wells, many of which leak oil, brine, and toxic gases. More than 1,700 have already been left to the public to clean up (Olalde, 2024).

Despite initially agreeing to work with regulators to find a solution, the industry turned against a bill it had helped shape. The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association told its supporters that the bill was "a radical and dangerous approach designed to strangle the oil and gas industry" and would "Destroy New Mexico." This kind of dramatic language is a common tactic used by lobbyists to mobilize opposition to regulations they don't like (Olalde, 2024).

The oil industry's influence extends far beyond New Mexico. Across the country, the industry has successfully stalled or weakened efforts to make companies set aside more money for well cleanup. In some states, like Oklahoma and Utah, lawmakers only propose bills after oil trade groups approve the language. It's a stark example of how industry influence can shape legislation from the ground up (Olalde, 2024).

Foreign Lobbying

But it's not just domestic interests that are playing the lobbying game. Foreign governments are also major players in Washington's influence industry. In 2022 and 2023, foreign agents registered under FARA reported nearly 130,000 political activities. And here's a sobering fact: the most active countries are almost always affluent and autocratic (Freeman, 2024).

Saudi Arabia, for example, was the single most active country, with at least 14,128 political activities in 2022-23. The Saudi lobby has been working hard to rehabilitate the country's image, coordinating appearances at civil society organizations, local radio stations, and helping place op-eds in newspapers and magazines across the country (Freeman, 2024).

Other countries use lobbying to push for arms sales or to draw the U.S. into regional rivalries. For instance, Azerbaijan's lobby has been working to tie its neighbor, Armenia, to U.S. geopolitical rivals like Russia and Iran. It's a complex web of influence, with each country trying to tilt U.S. policy in its favor (Freeman, 2024).

Think Tanks and Indirect Influence

Another crucial aspect of lobbying that we need to discuss is the role of think tanks. These organizations, which present themselves as non-partisan research institutions, often play a significant role in shaping policy debates. However, many of them receive substantial funding from corporations, foreign governments, and wealthy individuals with specific policy agendas.

For example, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a prominent Washington think tank, has received millions of dollars from defense contractors while producing reports that generally advocate for increased defense spending. Similarly, the Atlantic Council has accepted donations from at least 25 foreign governments. While these think tanks insist that their funders don't influence their work, the potential for conflicts of interest is clear (Freeman, 2024).

It's also worth discussing how lobbying efforts can sometimes backfire. In 2022, for instance, NSO Group, an Israeli spyware company, found itself on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Entity List, which makes doing business in the United States much more difficult. The company launched an extensive lobbying campaign to get removed from the list, reporting over 700 political activities in 2022-23. Despite these efforts, which included meetings with members of Congress and attempts to portray their technology as a tool for fighting terrorism, NSO Group remained on the Entity List as of 2024 (Freeman, 2024).

Grassroots Lobbying and Super PACs

Another important trend to note is the increasing role of grassroots lobbying. This involves mobilizing large numbers of ordinary citizens to contact their representatives about an issue. While this can be a legitimate form of democratic participation, it's also become a tool that well-funded groups use to create the appearance of broad public support for their positions.

For example, in the battle over oil well cleanup regulations in New Mexico, the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association asked its supporters to send form letters opposing the regulatory bill to their elected representatives. This tactic, sometimes called "astroturfing" because it creates the illusion of a grassroots movement, is increasingly common in modern lobbying efforts (Olalde, 2024).

It's also crucial to understand the role of super PACs in the modern lobbying landscape. These organizations, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates, have become increasingly important since the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in 2010. While super PACs can't coordinate directly with candidates, they provide a powerful tool for interest groups to influence elections.

AIPAC's decision to create a super PAC in 2021 is part of this broader trend. In the 2022 midterm elections, AIPAC's super PAC spent nearly $27 million targeting eight candidates due to their positions on Israel. Notably, none of its ads even mentioned Israel, instead focusing on other issues that might sway voters (Samuels, 2024).

This highlights another important aspect of modern lobbying: the increasing sophistication and indirectness of influence campaigns. Rather than simply arguing for their preferred policies, lobby groups are increasingly focusing on shaping the broader political landscape in ways that benefit their interests.

Regulatory Lobbying and Reform Efforts

Finally, it's important to discuss efforts at reform. While the lobbying industry remains powerful, there have been some attempts to increase transparency and reduce conflicts of interest. For example, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) requires lobbyists working for foreign governments to disclose their activities in detail.

Recent reforms to FARA have made this information more accessible than ever before. As of 2024, anyone can search through databases of all registrants' political activities and campaign contributions on the FARA website. This increased transparency is a step in the right direction, but many argue that more needs to be done (Freeman, 2024).

Some possible reforms include stricter limits on the revolving door between government and lobbying, more detailed disclosure requirements for lobbyists, and reforms to campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of money in politics. However, passing such reforms faces significant challenges, not least because many of the people who would need to vote for them benefit from the current system.

A Call to Action

As we wrap up, it's worth reflecting on what all of this means for American democracy. The lobbying industry, with its vast resources and sophisticated tactics, plays a huge role in shaping policy in the United States. While lobbying can serve as a way for various interests to have their voices heard, the current system clearly gives more weight to those with the deepest pockets.

This raises fundamental questions about equality of political representation in America. When foreign governments and multinational corporations can exert so much influence over policy, what does that mean for the average citizen? How can we ensure that the government truly represents the will of the people, rather than the interests of the highest bidder?

These are complex questions without easy answers. But as citizens in a democracy, it's crucial that we grapple with them. Understanding how lobbying works is the first step towards holding our representatives accountable and pushing for a political system that truly serves the interests of all people in a democracy.

So the next time you hear about a new law being passed or a regulation being changed, ask yourself: who lobbied for this? Who stands to benefit? And most importantly, does this truly serve the public interest? Because in the end, the most powerful lobby in a democracy should be the voice of the people themselves.

Drutman, L. (2015). The Business of America is Lobbying: How Corporations Became Politicized and Politics Became More Corporate. Oxford University Press.

Samuels, B. (2024, February 28). AIPAC, Explained: The Inside Story of America’s Powerful and Divisive pro-Israel Lobby. Haaretz. https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-02-28/ty-article-magazine/.premium/aipac-explained-the-inside-story-of-americas-powerful-and-divisive-pro-israel-lobby/0000018d-e4ac-d972-a5bf-efaf96c60000

Olalde, M. (2024, June 24). How America’s “Most Powerful Lobby” Is Stifling Efforts to Reform Oil Well Cleanup in State After State. ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/oil-industry-lobbying-unplugged-wells

Freeman,

B. (2024, July 8). Foreign Lobbying in the U.S. Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. https://quincyinst.org/research/foreign-lobbying-in-the-u-s/#executive-summary