Noted lobbyist and criminal Jack Abramoff has written a book (Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America's Most Notorious Lobbyist) on how to get a politician in your pocket. He provides a practitioners insight on the power of political donations, high paying jobs for congressional staff and ex-members of congress, and a range of other tools he used to wield power. It makes sense to listen to the way a criminal like Abramoff wields power.
Though, the very best way to limit the power of a lobbyist is to limit the influence of those they lobby - the federal government. If the future of your business or life depends on act of Congress then groups will organize to influence the outcome. If GE can snuff out emergining competitors through influence of various government policies, they will do so. DC is now one of the most expensive towns in the country and has the lowest unemployment, because DC dominates the trajectory of our life. Make the federal government smaller and force those that seek political favor to travel to the state houses. At least it might improve local economies.
