Interest Groups and Congress

For Tuesday, read Lawrence, all (it is a short book) and bring it to class.

Russian influence

• Lawful direct means
• Lawful indirect means
• Covert means
• Manafort
• Butina (and a postscript)

Interest group ratings

• HRC
• US Chamber of Commerce

Influence

• WHY WAS THE NRA POWERFUL? IT IS NOT THE MONEY (Note that NRA has gotten weaker)
• The "Daschle Loophole" -- his ill-fated HHS nomination
• Lobby numbers
• Deregistration 
• A graphic

• Think tanks
• Consultants
• Brookings and Qatar
• Recognition and awards
• Philanthropy
• Politicians' charities (see the rule, pp. 347-349) and government relations
• Rent-a-friend as deep lobbying
• Lobbyist cites letter that he ghost-wrote!
• A summary