As I've said in the past, lobbying is a legitimate activity. I think we've talked about the fact, or I've said and you have said at committee today as well, that we don't want government and decision-makers operating in a vacuum.
That said, does the lobbying and communicating have to occur over a really nice dinner? What some lobbyists have said to me is that public office holders are paying for those dinners so there is no gift or conflict. You're still at the dinner, but if I were looking at it, the lobbyist isn't placing you in a conflict. It would be more difficult if they lobbied you during that particular dinner, because they're probably registered and they would have to register that encounter. The issue is that by giving the gift of a ticket—and that's a case I'd have to look at—are they creating an apparent conflict of interest, let alone a real conflict?