1. Issues are not important - the process is.
2. Political communication has direct and indirect messages - indirect is the most important.
3. There are no permanent friends - or permanent enemies.
4. Keep your friends close - your enemies closer.
5. Never surprise your friends.
6. Politics is full of male humor (sarcasm, put downs, snide remarks, etc.) - Don't be offended.
7. Politics is a "chit economy" - not dollars, programs, kids.
8. Claim credit covertly and give it away overtly.
9. Take credit in the backroom - "strokes to self" are self-serving.
10. Always trust the grapevine; not the official channels.
11. Politics ain't bean bag - it's not an easy game.
12. Politics are full of paradoxes with polarity - don't fool yourself.
13. You must work with the resistance - a bigger hammer isn't the answer.
14. Loyalty can't be bought - a loyal and expert paradox always exists.
15. Conflict leads to collaboration - "good fences make good neighbors."
16. Anguish is a part of leadership - you know too much.
17. Try to understand behavior outside of the context of the issue - know the person.
18. Gain the ability to use the appropriate behavior to get the job done - it's not wrong to walk on the football field in a baseball uniform - it's stupid.
19. A good politician works with the persuadable.
20. Triangulate - never do anything directly when you can do it another way.

Lobbying in a Changing Time - Using the Internet to Effect Change
Presented at the 1998 American College of Nurse Practitioners Summit,
Creating Our Future: Taking Action
Judy Collins, RNC, MS, OGNP, FAAN