Corporate Lobbying

A story about the campaign to confirm Kavanaugh

The Powell Memo (Drutman p. 57)

In Showdown at Gucci Gulch, Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Alan S. Murray quote Reagan aide Richard Darman saying: “I couldn’t help thinking that if I were a lobbyist, I would stand in the hallway with a big sign saying EVERYONE INTERESTED IN KILLING THIS BILL, PLEASE MEET IN THE NEXT CORRIDOR … There would have been an enormous rush, and they would have seen the power of their collective action.” Nearly three decades later, all the lobbyists have read that book, and they know how to build coalitions.

(What happened to Birnbaum?  See here.)

The 1990s and health care





Lobbying presence


Review of why companies lobby (Drutman, p. 75)


...............................................Collective (Industry)............Selective (Company)

Proactive...............................Medicare presc. drug............Coverage of specific company drug

Reactive................................Preserve industry tax break..Preserve company contract


Drutman, p. 80:

1. Contacting Congressional staffers directly to present your point of view
2. Identifying allies in Congress who might serve as “champions” for your cause
3. Monitoring developments closely
4. Contacting members of Congress directly to present your point of view 
5. Consulting with members of Congress and/or their staff to plan legislative strategy 
6. Entering into coalitions with other organizations
7. Consulting with other organizations to plan legislative strategy 
8. Helping to draft legislation 
9. Contacting members of the executive branch directly to present your point of view 
10. Presenting research results or technical information
11. Contacting undecided members 
12. Writing position papers
13. Mobilizing constituents to contact their representatives 
14. Talking to people from the press and the media [also social media
15. Contacting members who are opposed to your position 
16. Testifying at hearings 
17. Attending political fundraisers
18. Consulting with members of the executive branch to plan legislative strategy 
19. Organizing political fundraisers 
20. Using issue advertising

Trade Associations