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Nature 445, 698 (15 February 2007) | doi:10.1038/445698a

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Party of one A word in the right place

David Goldston1

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Lobbyists give an impetus to causes that can offer a significant advantage on Capitol Hill. But how do they go about getting their way? David Goldston examines their role in securing science funding.

On 9 February I had breakfast in Washington DC with four scientists who played a leading role in the recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to give them advice about testifying before Congress. The invitation came from the lobbying firm that represents the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a privately run, largely government-funded institution in Colorado with which some of the researchers were affiliated.