There are 34,750 registered lobbyists in Washington.
They are a necessary part of the American system of expressing opinion and giving suggestions to government agencies, Congress, Congressional committees and the President, as well as informing the public.

There are lobbyists, pro and con, for all aspects of conservation and preservation, climate change, charities, education, health, foreign relations and too many other subjects to name as well as the often denigrated business, insurance and banking fields.

No, I don't think "we surely all know what is meant by a lobbyist."