Communication Tools

Lawmakers in the United States have always sought to strike the delicate balance between regulation and commercial autonomy that an effective capitalist system and prosperous international trade demand.

 

Today, however, they are all influenced by an increasingly large number of constituencies, often with directly conflicting interests. Sometimes it’s ideological. Sometimes it’s simply two companies talking to the same Congressman – one that needs a price support to be extended and another that needs it lifted.

 

Amid such clutter, lawmakers will choose the aspirant who speaks loudest and longest. To cut through the clutter:

 

Know the key legislative players. Real knowledge goes beyond just identifying the committee of jurisdiction or the sponsors of a particular bill. Are there legislators that routinely control blocks of votes? Are there champions of the issue at hand? Are there leadership members who will likely come forward as outspoken opponents or supporters? Identify the power players and target your efforts toward swaying them.

 

Know what matters most to them. Is one of your legislative targets facing a tough reelection fight? If so, you may want to gain support for your cause by speaking directly to the voters. To that end, the global Internet is effective; so too is the local community newspaper. Even if you don’t sway those voters, the fact that you’ve aggressively targeted them won’t be lost on the representative you seek to influence. At the same time, how can you help the lawmaker with his or her constituents in a way that seems non-partisan and disinterested? Is there a charity initiative you can sponsor, and the politician can spearhead?

 

Engage the grassroots – and the grasstops. Public support that can be demonstrated through polling or other quantitative indicators always scores big points – but don’t forget about the special interest constituencies that influence legislative prerogatives as well. Powerful donors, party leaders, and media editorial boards all fall into the “grasstops” category, exerting pressure from the top down, rather than from the bottom up.

 

Engage the staff. Whether they work on politics or policy, the legislative staff is often the ultimate arbiter. Get to know them by name. Make it as easy as possible for them to advocate for you if only by directly providing them with your best arguments and most supportive resources.