Movements on both ends of the political spectrum, from environmentalists to anti-abortion activists, have relied on professional staff to lobby lawmakers and keep grass-roots fervor up.
“The obvious danger is that they can become more interested in keeping the organization going than in the cause,” he added. “The people they are hiring are thinking about the movement for sure, but they are also thinking, ‘This is my job.’ They know if this movement goes belly up, they’ve got to do something else, which may be another job in Washington.”
Clarification: May 9, 2011
While the Tea Party Patriots received a $1 million anonymous contribution before the midterm elections, the group’s leaders say all but $18,000 of that money went directly from the donor to local tea parties in a program administered by the Tea Party Patriots.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
