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A Lobbyist is defined as: A person or group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor or against a specific cause.

It’s no news that lobbyists usually accomplish their goals with financial campaign contributions to public officials. Although lobbyists reach out to all members of government they tend to pay more attention to politicians who have yet to decide which stance they have chosen regarding a particular issue. They pay little to no attention to politicians who have vowed to vote either yes or no on something such as health care reform. Senators like Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, and Olympia Snowe have attracted major attention from lobbyist regarding the recent health care debate.

Here are some statistics to support this argument:

For example, in the 2006 election cycle Democrats received 34% of all health industry contributions while the Republicans received 65%. In 2006 the idea of Health Care Reform did not even exist in the Republican controlled congress. Now in the current 2010 election cycle which isn’t even complete is showing the Democrats receiving 66% of the health industry contributions while Republicans are receiving 35%. A complete reversal.

How can this be?

The answer is simple, the ball is now in the hands of the Democrats.

Lobbyists spent a record amount of money in 2009, although results are not out yet, it is said to surpass the $3.3 billion record set in 2008. According to Opensecrets.org, a non-partisan website dedicated to tracking lobbyists influence in government.

Not surprised at these results? Well you should be. 2008 was not only an election year, but it was a Presidential election year and last year’s Presidential campaign was the most expensive campaign to date. Election years are years when lobbyists pay, or should I say, contribute, to these candidates and/or current holders of public office. So why is 2009 a year in which lobbyist are breaking records?

This answer is simple as well: Health Care Reform. 

Let me show some more startling statistics:

- From October 27, 2009 to December 18, 2009 Humana, Inc. a health insurance provider’s stock rose 13.6%. From those same dates UnitedHealth Group Inc. had their stock rise 20.5%. Well Point, Inc. rose 26.6%, Aetna Inc. rose 27.1%, CIGNA Corp rose 29.1%, and finally Coventry Health Care Inc. had their stock rise a whopping 31.6%.