[htrp]

Do you have your senator's personal cell phone number? Does your senator recognize you by face? Will he remember whatever question you're talking about even if you secure a f2f meeting?

The lobbyist, who used to be that senator's chief of staff definitely does......

[andrewflnr]

None of that is bribery, though, which was the original question.

[leesalminen]

The lobbyist is taking the representative out to fancy dinners, golf courses, family vacations. It just so happens that they’ve known each other for years.

[tehjoker]

There's also the implication that at election time their clients will help fundraise. It's a lot easier to fundraise from rich people at thousands per pop than $20 or less from ordinary people by a factor of over 100.