In my talks, I often discuss the different groups who came to meet with me when I worked on Capitol Hill with regard to who was most effective. On science related issues, the general breakdown fell into two categories (with exceptions): Scientists from universities or NGO's would usually show up in my office with a briefing binder as thick as a phone book. There would be a lot of charts, p-values, figures, and complicated concepts. Most didn't talk to me, but at me. And the take home message would be different than that of the other scientists I met the previous hour on the same subject. Special interest groups were frequently very well organized. They spoke with a common theme and brought articulate speakers. Rather than stop in our office, they usually hosted large and well attended briefings, supplying easy to digest hardcover books with titles like 'climate change conspiracy.' Typically they were funny and made references to Michael Crichton's science fiction. Perhaps most importantly, they provided a free boxed lunches and held long Q&As to engage the audience. Both types introduced themselves as the "honest broker" of scientific information, but the latter often made the stronger impression with staffers. Now removed from ...