Guidelines to ethical lobbying: today's lobbyists bear scant resemblance to characters in "Lincoln.".

• Author: Kerns, Peggy
• Position: TOOLS OF THE TRADE

The name of the first lobbyist is not recorded in time. But rest assured, lobbying has been around since governments were formed and political decisions were first made.

Lobbying is simply communicating a point of view to a lawmaker in an attempt to influence government action. It is a right protected by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It's one way different views, opinions and concerns get expressed. No one disagrees with this. But "how" lobbying is done sometimes creates controversy. Like in the movies.

An Image Problem

Movies have not been kind to lobbyists. "Thank You for Smoking" (2005) and "Casino Jack" (2010), are recent examples that depict people who practice lobbying, an honorable and respected profession, as conniving and manipulative.

To some, the recent movie "Lincoln" is guilty of such a portrayal. In the movie, the president and Secretary of State William Seward strategize on how to persuade the House of Representatives to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. With the Republicans on board, Lincoln and Seward identify a handful of Democrats they may be able to win over to pass the amendment. Lincoln rejects the idea of buying their votes, but stays open to the possibility of offering them appointments to government jobs.

Enter W.N. Bilbo, along with a couple of fellow lobbyists, to get the needed votes. They sit in the gallery of the U.S. House and watch the selected Democrats in action, sizing up their mannerisms and style. Then Bilbo and his buddies lobby the targets one by one--not railing against the evils of slavery, but describing what the lawmaker will receive if he switches votes. It is difficult and slow going. Lincoln, too, meets with some, using his eloquent words to convince them to vote yes.

In an emotional scene with Seward and the lobbying team, Lincoln expresses how essential it is that they get those last two votes. "I am president of the United States, clothed with great power ... those two votes must be procured. I leave it to you to determine how it shall be done."

Sticking to his principles, yet exerting and even expanding his powers to get what he wants, Lincoln pushes ahead for passage. Abolishing slavery justified the lobbying tactics taken. To him, the end justified the means.

The State of Lobbying

Fast-forward to today. The days of patronage are long gone, and lobbying standards have vastly improved. The profession is regulated in all states, and lobbyists are required to register...