Swayed by Polls or Public Opinion, the

¶ … swayed by polls or public opinion, the special interest group lobbyist is more able to remain focused on a specific cause than a politician and I would therefore prefer to work for a special interest group. Even the most ethical and noble of politicians must take into account the will of the people if he or she is to effectively and successfully serve. Unlike a good politician, a lobbyist need not listen intently to public opinion but only to the voice of personal conscience.

Like politicians, lobbyists must be stellar communicators and willing compromisers. But whereas a politician may deal with a variety of pertinent issues that range from health care to education, the lobbyist can remain locked into a specific cause. To devote a lifetime to a political or social cause and witness the subsequent progress made in public policy must be every bit as rewarding as a post in public office.

This determination and focus required and expected of a lobbyist makes the task more attractive for someone who, like me, tends to be a perfectionist. While they share certain traits, politicians and lobbyists differ in their aims. A politician, to preserve his or her career, must address a multitude of issues and please the masses. A lobbyist, on the other hand, may hone in on singular issues without regard to the electorate.

This does not entail complete disregard for public opinion, but rather indicates greater attention paid to the special interest itself. For example, if I am interested in environmental issues, I will maintain my stance against drilling in Alaska regardless of polls. Because supportive individuals and corporations fund my special interest group, I don't have to worry about pleasing individual voters. Politicians, on the other hand, need to scrutinize polling information and perhaps change their stance on issues like the environment.

A good lobbyist, like a good politician, knows how to make skillful compromises. While a politician needs to ensure that party loyalty is maintained, a lobbyist must only remain true to the cause in question. Gun lobbyists, for instance, can woo both Republicans and Democrats and are only concerned with promoting legislation that supports the National Rifle Association. A politician must first take into account the current party stance on an issue like gun control.

Politicians can make or break a career by taking a stance in opposition to the party majority. Politics can be exciting and rewarding and usually implies being in the public eye, but lobbyists usually reside behind the scenes. However, lobbyists engage in controversial discussions with more vigor than politicians do. Because a lobbyist is unapologetically committed to a specific issue, there is no need to sit on fences. Lobbyists can inflame popular discussions and speak to the media unabashedly.

Even the boldest politician needs to take care not to lose valuable voters. A lobbyist has a greater sense of job security in this sense, because dedication to the cause is enough. A politician has to please not.