Frankly, by far the biggest impact of lobbying happens when one side has anything at all, and the other side doesn't. Most lobbying isn't bribery, as much as it

Frankly, by far the biggest impact of lobbying happens when one side has anything at all, and the other side doesn't. Most lobbying isn't bribery, as much as it is spending money to get create a situation where the politician will listen to you explain your case. When the politician has heard both sides in such a manner, they'll basically vote with their conscience. When only one side has explained their argument, it's a lot easier for the politician to vote with that one.