The Citizen's Guide to Lobbying Congress (Paperback)

~ Donald E. deKieffer (Author) "Outside of Washington, the business of lobbying is generally equated with all sorts of skulduggery..." (more)
Key Phrases: covered legislative branch official, independent lobbying firms, nonpolitical contributions, Congressional Record, United States, Flat Earth Society (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Public citizen, take heart, and pick up this post-graduate-course-between-book-covers for the work-shirt-and-blue-jean-clad collegians who got clean for Gene (McCarthy, that is) in 1968. Earnest, a bit dewy-eyed, and sporting a dash of energetic hipness, the manual leans a little heavily on jargon and buzzwords but argues that, to get a desired reaction, you must push the right buttons. It advises avoiding zealotry, planning for dealing with police ahead of time, and even giving politicians the right gifts at the right time (liquor is often appreciated, deKieffer says, especially at Christmas). Add deKieffer's guide wherever Schwartz and Levine's Armchair Activist has found favor, and energetic, civic-minded lefties will be grateful. Mike Tribby

Review

Get good press, understand how political alliances are built, and learn how to organize and get the most from letter-writing campaigns through a title which includes plenty of listings of government resources, seminars, and Web sites. An invaluable reference for political action and change. -- Midwest Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556521944
• ISBN-13: 978-1556521942
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,299,458 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handy read if you want to get on the scene..., January 22, 2005

By	S. Koropeckyj "Romi Panchir" (The Bright Side of the Moon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although, I do not have any aspirations to become a Washington lobbyist, I wanted to know how they do it. How do organizations send their minions into Washington and create laws for the rest of the people. Needless to say, this book tells you the tricks of the trade (which in Washington is all one big trick).

One of my aquaintences read this book and began lobbying on a small scale in New Jersey acheiving some success in the field until he got bored and became a lawyer. So that is the only proof that I have that this book works. It details the method which the lobbyist must follow in order to get into the system, to talk to the politician and his staff, and to lead a grass-roots movement.

Everything is described in an easy to read way, and reading the book will take you at most a few days so, if you got the $50 for the luncheon, grab a copy and get your butt over to Washington. Anybody can do it, you don't need corporate backing to acheive your agenda, as long as you control the lobby.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Self Guided Text, June 27, 2000

By	Brenda Hewitt (Argentina) - See all my reviews

while we used this book as a text for our class in lobbying at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to lobby congress. It gives a good basic understanding of the steps and tips on how to find a good lobbyist if you decide you need more help.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and excellent book, June 11, 2003

By A Customer

This is one of the most excellent and at the same time, simple book on lobbying. Off the several dozen I have read on lobbying and campaign management, this is one of the best and most appealing book I have encountered.

The book starts with assuming that it represents the political agenda of a "Flat Earth Society" (association of believers in earth being flat). It takes the defense of this ridiculous premise and weaves around it a web of very sophisticated arguments around issues pertaining to this premise. These arguments are presented piece meal at a time to thwart off elimination of flat earth dogma from various govt and school texts etc.

The author has, using this premise as an example, shown all the necessary steps that a lobbyist will have to go through to convince the congress of his agenda and issues.

Overall, an excellent book.