Becoming a Lobbyist

NNNNOOOOONAN · #1 07-26-2007, 02:57 AM

I just finished watching "Thank You For Smoking."

Not a great movie, but I liked it and definitely saw a lot of myself in the main character.
Now, I'm sure this movie glorified the life of a lobbyist, but it got me thinking that it would be a challenging, rewarding and fun job if you get in with the right group.

I googled some different things about becoming a professional lobbyist and all I really ran across was the median salary ($92k) and some other mumbo jumbo that I didn't really understand.

I wasn't really sure if I should post this here or in Politics, so I figured I'd post in both places, since OOT seems to have a more diverse crew.

So, anyone have any insight or information about what it takes to become a professional lobbyist, and how to go about doing it?

pokergrader · #2 07-26-2007, 06:00 AM

Become a senator and then retire.

4drugmoney · #3 07-26-2007, 06:06 AM

They are usually Lawyers allthough it's not mandatory. My brother- in-law is one, as is his dad. I havent seen the movie so I cant comment on that. But I know they make a LOT more than 92K.They also get lots of hookups. He is a 2+2 lurker (rich fish) Ill tell him about this thread

NNNNOOOOONAN · #4 07-26-2007, 12:34 PM

so there's basically no way for someone from northern minnesota with no political connections, and no degree to become a lobbyist?

btw, nice avatar

xxThe_Lebowskixx · #5 07-26-2007, 12:39 PM

"Not a great movie, but I liked it and definitely saw a lot of myself in the main character."

wp

Autocratic · #6 07-26-2007, 12:56 PM

The usual progression goes like this:

Get some internships/crappy jobs
Go work on the Hill for a few years
Make connections with lobbyists
Get a job lobbying
Profit

NNNNOOOOONAN · #7 07-26-2007, 01:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
"Not a great movie, but I liked it and definitely saw a lot of myself in the main character."

wp

[/ QUOTE ]

what do you mean?

guids · #8 07-26-2007, 01:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Not a great movie, but I liked it and definitely saw a lot of myself in the main character."

wp

[/ QUOTE ]

what do you mean?

[/ QUOTE ]

It means that everyone who saw that basically said the same thing, and you are deluding yourself if you think you can do something like that with no connections, no degree, and no experience.

NNNNOOOOONAN · #9 07-26-2007, 01:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Not a great movie, but I liked it and definitely saw a lot of myself in the main character."

wp

[/ QUOTE ]

what do you mean?

[/ QUOTE ]

It means that everyone who saw that basically said the same thing, and you are deluding yourself if you think you can do something like that with no connections, no degree, and no experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

well it's a good thing i'm not deluding myself because i wasn't thinking any of those things, i was just wondering what the steps were to go about doing something like that.
they were pretty unclear about that in the movie.

beta1607 · #10 07-26-2007, 01:50 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The usual progression goes like this:

Get some internships/crappy jobs
Go work on the Hill for a few years
Make connections with lobbyists
Get a job lobbying
Profit

[/ QUOTE ]

This is accuarate. Another option is to work in a Presidential Administration and lobby Federal Agencies like the FCC. To be successful you need to understand both the policy and the political implications of what you are advocating which is why working for a party committee or campaign could be good.