Letter writing is another strategy for influencing candidates. Given that lawmakers and their staffs are busy and not likely to do more than glance at a long letter, Simon (2003) suggests keeping letters focused and short, concentrating on two or three issues at the most. One would expect the same would apply to other forms of writing that candidates might see such as emails and blog contents. ire of Southern References: Simon, P. (2003). Our culture of pandering. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press