We might not realize it, but senators hear a lot—and these past few weeks, it’s been hard to avoid conversations about the election. It’s normal around this time for senators to start taking an interest in politics, but the subject can be scary and confusing for them.Â
Your senator might be unwilling to ask you directly what’s going on, or unable to find words for the questions they have. But odds are, they do have questions. Here are some tips for lobbyists looking to have an honest conversation about politics at a level their senator can understand.
1. Let them tell you what they already know.
You might be surprised what kind of things senators hear from their colleagues and staffers—your job here is a kind of sanity check. Remember your senator has little, if any, experience distinguishing truth from fiction, and stay patient.
2. Make the conversation about their questions, not your opinions.
You’ll have plenty of time in the other eleven months of the year to explain your heartfelt political convictions. Right now, your senator is likely feeling anxious and vulnerable; you need to reassure them that the party’s failures aren’t their problem, and that they are still the only responsible voice in the room.
3. Don’t overwhelm them with details.
At a time like this, your senator really doesn’t need to understand Electoral College math, or the spread of voter-suppression tactics across the country. Stick to the basics: which climate bills are okay to vote for, and which are actual climate bills.
4. Reassure your senator that they, personally, will be all right.
This will immediately end the conversation. Â
— L. Burch
