The new age of lobbying

Steve Ahrens begins his article for the IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW with this quote:

"Lobbying – the gentle (sometimes) art of persuasion – is an essential part of our political system."

He should know.  He has had a long track record of shaping public policy as a lobbyist, a political writer, editor and president of Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry.  Those credentials alone add credence to his perspectives on new technology's role in the political world.

"...the new electronic tools that have accelerated the process so dramatically are now embedded in our system. They offer unprecedented opportunities for both lobbyists and constituents in contacting (lobbying!) legislators on the issues that are important to all of us."

Before we make this new electronic age a super hero for public policy, we must remember every super hero can use their powers for good and evil. I would hope Idaho politicians become sophisticated enough to not only be on the receiving end of this technology, but also active participants in new ways to communicate with Idaho voters.

Comments

[123idaho]

Good observations.

New technologies also allow us to keep running public records on specific things that are said by elected officials, newspaper editors, and others.

Please see the question we ask today, to Idaho Press Tribune Managing Editor Vickie Holbrook, or to whoever else would like to answer it, on the previous discussion:

Was Steven Kren Jr. Canyon County's Republican Ticking Time Bomb After All?

at

http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/5697

Simply put: What has Steven Kren Jr. accomplished?

Maybe you would like to take a stab at it, Byron.

[Byron]

You are right...the public records aspect is a great benefit. Thanks for the link to 43rdstateblues and the comments regarding Steve Kren. During the campaign, he made a big deal about a letter he received from Governor Otter in the previous session (2008) that congratulated his for his help on transportation issues. I doubt he got a letter like that this year.

[123idaho]

The entry comments section has been updated:

See: "Vickie Holbrook. Time bombs? Leeches? Lazy Twits?"

http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/5697#comment-5225

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