Final answer:
Special advisory groups, including issue advisors and special interest groups, provide expert advice on policy areas to political candidates and legislators, aiding in campaign preparation and legislative decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special advisory groups, which can be composed of issue advisors or special interest groups, play a critical role in shaping public policy and advising political candidates. Issue advisors are experts who offer comprehensive advice on various topics, ensuring candidates are well informed and prepared for debates and public engagements.
They often provide written "position statements" which candidates can incorporate into speeches or use to address public inquiries. On the other hand, special interest groups, although smaller in numbers, are well-organized and focus on specific policy areas. By lobbying, they may exert pressure on legislators to enact policies that serve their interests, sometimes at the expense of the greater good.
For instance, they might oppose environmental regulations that, while costly for them, could have immense benefits for the wider population. Such groups also serve to inform policymakers through expert testimony and help sway public opinion and decision-making processes.
The influence of these groups is managed by acts such as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which was established to maintain objectivity and public accessibility in the advice given by these advisory committees to government entities.