It costs money to keep your doors open in DC, and that money has to come from somewhere. I would never suggest other than that my opponents come by their opinions honestly.

It absolutely boggles my mind that so many, on both sides of policy debates, don’t understand that money FOLLOWS opinions in the nonprofit and academic space. It’s doesn’t cause them. Google gives money to people that already want the things it wants. So does AT&T.

I think it’s a result of today’s political insularity. If liberals only ever talk to liberals, and conservatives or libertarians likewise stay someone segregated, the assumption is that people who disagree with you must be corrupt or stupid. Guess what: people don’t like to be called corrupt or stupid.

(As for real “hired guns,” that directly work for companies or law firms with clients, what their motivations are is irrelevant; their primary ethical duty is zealous advocacy for their clients. It’s certainly true that lawyers find themselves convinced by positions they are paid to take. But this is still not a dishonest process. At the end of the day, if advocates believe what they’re saying, who cares why they believe it? Address the merits.)