Lobbyists: They're not all that bad

On Capitol Hill, "lobbyist" is a loaded term, one teeming with connotations.

In 2009, nearly $3.5 billion was spent to lobby in Washington with the help of 13,754 registered lobbyists, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Indeed, lobbyists aim to effect policy change and influence Congress to vote a certain way on a certain bill. But that doesn't mean they're a bad lot.

Take, for instance, Ellin Nolan. She's president of Washington Partners, a public affairs firm that focuses on education. Her goal is to help schools and nonprofits, including the National Writing Project, get the funding they need to make sure children are well-educated and are exposed to quality teaching.

"We're very mission-driven," said Nolan of her team, which comprises educators, public relations experts, lawyers and former journalists. They gather data and evidence to convince lawmakers that a given program is worthy of federal investment.

"I think people really underestimate the importance of lobbyists" and other advocates who help members of the public convey their messages to elected officials, said Sharon Washington, executive director of the NWP and a Washington Partners client.

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