Sometimes the lobbyists are asked to steer PAC money toward the candidate; other times they are solicited for personal contributions. One Washington office executive I know was asked why all of her company's top officers hadn't yet contributed to that member of Congress (which meant, of course, that someone was actually keeping track of such things).

Needless to say, it's tough to say "no" when a prominent politician calls you to personally invite you to contribute to his or her campaign. But no one has unlimited funds, in a PAC or individually. Plus, let's face it, there are many members and challengers you just don't want to support.

It occurred to me that lobbyists and corporate executives could use advice on ways to turn down requests for contributions. So I contacted six long-term, respected lobbyists and asked them to share their most effective excuses. I received many creative responses and have assembled the best of them for this post. Here, quoted directly but without attribution, is our list of "10 Ways to Say ‘No' to a Member of Congress."

1.  Carefully define your PAC's contribution criteria and make those criteria known to everyone requesting a contribution.

2.  Explain that the recession has reduced the ability of your PAC to raise money and, therefore, to support candidates.

3.  Make it clear that your PAC is bi-partisan and gives equally to politicians from both parties. In other words, a contribution to the guy on the phone means another member of his party won't get a donation.

4.  Say that you run a PAC that focuses on issues, not politicians. You don't give money just to help someone out in a tough race, or to retire a campaign debt.

5.  Blame the economy. Say this is a bad time, but you look forward to supporting the candidate down the road.

6.  State that you are not in a position to contribute, but perhaps you can connect the requestor with others who may be able to help.

7.  Explain that all your top executives and you have been inundated with requests for personal contributions (which is probably true).

8.  Point out that the state of politics has disgusted a lot of people and made it tougher to raise PAC dollars, or solicit personal money. You might even want to add, "Call me when things get better on that front."

9.  Simply say "No." It's OK to say "no," as long as it's done with courtesy and respect. Really. It is.

10.  Use caller ID.

One Washington insider also made the suggestion that Congress pass a law forbidding candidates or their representatives from soliciting contributions from registered lobbyists or their employers. Lobbyists could still help to fund campaigns, but - like everyone else - they would feel freer to make donation decisions based on the merits. No more pushy phone calls, veiled threats or awkward conversations with politicians trying to raise campaign cash.

Interesting idea, eh? Send me your comments.