ABSTRACT
Of all the types of political interest groups, it is perhaps most difficult to find common themes in the ones that represent service, trade, and professional organizations. Their missions vary widely, as do their ideologies and organizational structure, their penchant for a particular political party, and the people whom they represent. Furthermore, although most service interest groups mentioned here have created their own political action committees (PACs) within the last few decades, some do not officially maintain PACs and may only influence government indirectly—that is, through various forms of media rather than lobbying before members of Congress. Their methods or strategies as lobbyists also vary greatly. Some lobby quietly; their lobbyists will bring their individual PAC's issues before Congress without including their interest group's members. Others lobby loudly by encouraging members to jam the phone lines and use the Internet so that they can communicate directly with congressional leaders.
