In general terms there are four principal methods that a pressure group can use in order to fulfil their functions. These four are; Electioneering and endorsement, Lobbying, Publicity and Organising grassroots activities. I would argue that Lobbying and organising grassroots activities is the most effective method that a pressure group can use as it is direct access to legislators as well as important political figures, whereas the use of electioneering and PAC is effective in a way it is not highly consider.

The1970’s campaign finance reforms considerable alter the role of pressure groups and political fundraising, consequently the reforms limited the amount a pressure group could give to a candidate in a federal election. Therefore, the reform encouraged the setting up of political action committees commonly known as PACs that could make donations. A PAC is an organisation whose sole purpose is to raise funds which is then given to candidate campaigns running for political office. The 2006 mid-term elections were the first to run under the McCain-Feingold law of 2002, which had significant changes to federal election finance. The 2006 mid—terms themselves were an opportunity for the Democrats to regain control of both houses of Congress, with these factors as well as it being the most expensive election to date — an increase of 25% on what was spent in 2002, a majority of this increase was by PACs. PAC spending in 2006 exceeded $1billion and also with an increased emphasis on hard-dollar fundraising meant that PACs grew in numbers and their importance since the reform. Therefore, though this method is proven to an extent a successful way of encouraging candidates as PACs usually help candidates with fund it was proven that members of Congress were more likely to be influenced by lobbying than by donation.

This lead to the movement of pressure group participating more in lobbying as it is seen as the most effective method; furthermore the most effective method of lobbying is the provision of accurate, detailed, up-to-date information for those who require it. Though PACs directly donate funds to a candidate, their objectives don't necessarily reaching congress, whereas by targeting legislators and bureaucrats, who have to make demands on a limited time period, they use pressure groups as a source for information in order to make these decisions. By doing this method pressure groups are maintain offices in Washington D.C often referred to as ‘K Street corridor,’ which allows them to be easily accessible to lobby members. The Duberstein group formed by Kenneth Duberstein,opened a lobbying firm named the Ashcroft group with its headquarters five blocks west of the White House. Furthermore, pressure groups provides legislators with voting cues, for example the Liberal Democrats look to the AFL-CIO, the NAACP to provide reassurance for the stand on a particular issue.

In order to give correct guidance on where to stand on an issue or direct the legislators in a certain way, pressure groups must acquire up-to-date and relevant information in order to achieve their objectives. To do this, pressure groups typically launch public relations campaigns to openly access other views, but additionally educate the people. Such publicity takes place in a number of forms like; television advertising — recently the AARP released a television campaign against President Bush’s proposal to reform Social security create private retirement accounts, the TV advertisement itself tried to persuade viewers that the plan was on over-reaction to the minor issues associated with the funding of social security. Roadside hearings, bumper stickers and badges are among the other methods used for publicity. Occasionally the pressure groups will send publicity directly to law makers in the form of informative or promotional DVD’s — for example a pressure group against veal meat, sent a DVD labelled Murder on the Menu, covering their campaign to encourage Congress to tighten laws on the production of veal was bombarded with members.

Finally, grassroots members are also considered an effective method, especially when they are aimed at legislators or policy-makers. These activities may include the organisation of a postal ‘blitz’ on Congress.From previous experiences pressure groups now know how the gain the attention of Congress, thus they encourage their members to frame their own communications. Marches and demonstrations are sometimes aimed at the state and cereal court houses, this is when other forms of lobbying are inaaprioate. Such as if the Court is delivering a judgement on controversial issues such as abortion, school prayer and capital punishment, the pavement outside the Supreme Court is typically filled with people from pressure groups representing their side of the debate. Some groups resort to violence and disorder, hence bombing the federal government building occurred in 1995 in Oklahoma City — this was linked to a militia group on the extreme right of US politics.

Overall, I still believe that lobbying and grassroots activities are the most effect method for a pressure group to take part in and to be success in achieving their objectives. When directly conforming to legislators and members of Congress or the Supreme Court they are more likely to be heard and taken into consideration rather than undertaking activities of an extremist nature or being a part of a PAC, which raises a lot of money which is then donated to a candidate but their views aren't necessarily considered.