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What is in control of your legislative goals? The needs of your company or the needs of your lobbyist?
It's a real catch 22. Lobbyists are hired because they have a relationship with the legislator. But the lobbyist can’t push the legislator because it would damage his relationship with the legislator.
The good news is that if you a relatively non-controversial issue and no opposition then you can get your mission competed. The bad news is if that was the case what do you need the lobbyist for anyway?
 So goes the game of modern legislative politics.
BUT WHAT IF YOU CAN CHANGE THE GAME?
The old rules were that you hired the best lobbyists, and hoped that you could get your legislation through. But we can now identify like minded constituents, mobilize them to take action. Legislators may have a great relationship with a lobbyist, but they are much more likely to pay attention to the folks back home.
Too many companies are trusting that saturating the air waves with urgent sounding ads to call their legislator will result in action. But how many have asked the secretaries how many calls have the members gotten? I have. It isn’t many.
Issue identification isn’t enough.
Popular support isn’t enough.
Ideas don’t have consequences, actions do.
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