Friday, August 19, 2005
Can Today's Young Republican Staffers Be Effective Lobbyists?
We regularly see news or gossip page announcements of Hill staffers moving to association or corporate lobbying jobs here in DC. A recent story in a DC rag said some Republican staffers with just a few years experience are now expecting salaries of $150,000, $200,000 and even higher. (They aren't getting those big bucks, but they ask anyway.)
Many staffers assume their contacts on the Hill will justify that salary, but apparently all they can offer is a contact. Of course, when the next Congress comes in and the folks shift around, those contacts may or may not still be around.
What today's young Republican Hill staffers cannot offer is exactly those skills necessary for being a good lobbyist. Young staffers who have known only Republican majorities don't know how to work with others who have different views. It is well known on the House side that Republicans rarely even consult with Democrats on legislation. They have the votes already, so they never need to compromise.
But in the real world of lobbying, the ability to get along with others who don't always agree with you is essential. Today's young Republican staffers have never had to compromise, never had to put together a coalition, never had to do anything but tell people what their bosses want. Yet they strut around with fellow young Republicans and think they are great and think they deserve a big paycheck. Corporate America isn't buying it though.
Many staffers assume their contacts on the Hill will justify that salary, but apparently all they can offer is a contact. Of course, when the next Congress comes in and the folks shift around, those contacts may or may not still be around.
What today's young Republican Hill staffers cannot offer is exactly those skills necessary for being a good lobbyist. Young staffers who have known only Republican majorities don't know how to work with others who have different views. It is well known on the House side that Republicans rarely even consult with Democrats on legislation. They have the votes already, so they never need to compromise.
But in the real world of lobbying, the ability to get along with others who don't always agree with you is essential. Today's young Republican staffers have never had to compromise, never had to put together a coalition, never had to do anything but tell people what their bosses want. Yet they strut around with fellow young Republicans and think they are great and think they deserve a big paycheck. Corporate America isn't buying it though.
