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What is being overlooked in this discussion is that it takes lots of money to run a campaign, and that those already in office spend an inordinate amount of time attending fundraising meetings. Former Senator E. F. Hollings recently wrote a column in the Charleston Post and Courier detailing this fact. Also, bear in mind that the hundreds of lobbyists have an existence only because they have monetary support to offer and every candidate needs the money. The interests represented by the lobbyists don't put up this money for free. They expect, and get, the supported candidate's favor in legislation which affects them. Thus the conflict of interest affects legislation, and money is the big influence.
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