By traditional measures, lobbying is on the decline in American politics. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, spending on lobbying has hit a five-year low and the number of registered lobbyists is at its lowest point since 1998, so it seems the art of influence is waning, right? Not quite. As long as there are vested interests in American politics, there will always be organized efforts to shift the political landscape. So where have all the influence-peddlers headed?