How to Buy a Politician: Guide

A general tradecraft guide on how to buy a politician. Effectively influencing to controlling their political access, votes, decisions and seat of power for your own interests.

It’s no secret that money plays the biggest role in politics. Election campaigns are expensive, and the people who finance them expect something in return. This is a guide on how to buy a politician.

In a democracy, all citizens theoretically have an equal say in who represents them. But in practice, the fact is, those with the most money and therefore control and access have always had the loudest voice when it comes to elections and who influences the winners.

Buying a politician is not something that should be entered into lightly. There are risks involved, both legal and financial. But if done right, buying a politician can pay off handsomely.

      Step 1)   The Politician

Know who you want to buy. Not all politicians are for sale, and of those that are, not all will be willing to sell to just anyone. There are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration when choosing a politician to buy:

– Party affiliation. All else being equal, it’s usually easier (and cheaper) to buy a politician from your own party.

– Receptiveness to outside influence. Some politicians are proud of their independence and/or incorruptibility and will be resistant to any attempts at being bought. Others are more open to the idea of being influenced by those with deep pockets.

Find a politician who is running for office. This should be someone who is already in the political system and has a good chance of winning their election. Someone who has long held their seat is more difficult to buy if not only because they are often more expensive.

      Step 2)   The Due Diligence

Research the candidate and find out what their campaign platforms are. You will need to know what the politician believes in and what they are fighting for – perceptively and more importantly, actually.

Find out what they need/want. Just like any other transaction, you’ll need to find out what it is your chosen politician is looking for before you can offer anything of value. Some will be interested primarily in money, while others may be more interested in favors or access to power beyond politics.

Historically and increasingly in recent years, Republicans (USA) are more accessible to buy than their Democrat counterparts. Meaning they are statistically easier to buy and control with money.

Still others may be persuaded by more intangible things such as prestige or validation. If you can figure out what it is your politician wants, you’ll be in a much better position to make them an offer.

Make a list of political donors who have supported the candidate in the past and analyze their ROI / performance of their politician purchases through OSINT. These are the people who have already shown they are willing to finance the politician’s campaign.

Contact the political donors and let them know that you are interested in contributing to the candidate’s campaign. Be sure to state you are willing to donate a particularly generous amount.

      Step 3)   The Purchase

In the US, get in touch with the politician’s PAC (Political Action Committee). Ask to speak with a high-ranking member of this PAC and let them know what you need from their candidate, mentioning any specific issues important for yourself in order help ensure success if it is something they can offer.

It should be vaguely conveyed that your contributions (purchase prices) will be committed without the press and media knowing about it, but only to the politician’s purview. So a private meeting with him/her will be necessary and worth while. Using the word “donation”, also surreptitiously convey that this initial amount is just the first contribution of many.

The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to work with or employ an experienced political operative or lobbyist who knows the ropes and can help you navigate the often murky waters of political bribery business.

      Step 5)   The Service

Wait for the politician to begin voting on issues or other impactful decisions they will be making that are important to you or your group’s interests. If they vote or move the way you want them to, then continue supporting their campaign financially.

If not, then discuss with your bought politician that you will withdraw your support and find another candidate who better aligns with your interests.

A bought politician, even a freshman, knows what’s expected of them when they directly or indirectly decide to sell themselves and their seat. They understand the money will continue to be “donated” as long as they do what’s expected.

Buying a politician is much like buying property, it requires much work before and after the purchase with ongoing costs and management throughout but you get what you pay for with return on investment.

You will need to be patient and continue supporting the candidate even if they don’t always vote the way you want them to or are not able to do all the favors you want them to. It is a long game.

But if you pick the right political player, it will be worth it, at a cost and as a long-term investment.