Describe some of the different strategies that interest groups use to gain influence on public policy.In your answer,be sure to give specific examples of each of the strategies you discuss.

There are four components to this question.
a.Lobbying: Lobbying is an attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials.Lobbyists first and foremost provide information to lawmakers about their interests and the legislation at hand.They communicate this information to lawmakers,administrators,and committee staff members with facts about pertinent issues.They often testify on behalf of their clients at congressional committee and agency hearings.Lobbyists talk to reporters,place ads in newspapers,and organize letter-writing,phone call,and email campaigns.They also play an important role in fund-raising,helping to direct clients' contributions to certain members of Congress and presidential candidates.
b.Litigation: Interest groups can use the courts to affect public policy in at least three ways: (1)by bringing suit directly on behalf of the group itself, (2)by financing suits brought by individuals,or (3)by filing a companion brief as an amicus curiae (literally "friend of the court")to an existing court case.
c.Going public: Going public is a strategy that attempts to mobilize the widest and most favorable climate of opinion.Groups may "go public" through institutional advertising,protests and demonstrations,or grassroots mobilization.
d.Electoral influence: Interest groups also seek to use the electoral process to elect the right legislators in the first place and to ensure that those who are elected will owe them a debt of gratitude for their support.Specifically,interest groups make campaign contributions (primarily through PACs and Super PACs),engage in campaign activism,and place initiatives on the ballot in states that provide or direct democracy.