By Zayida Baker The top-down dynamic of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce mirrors that of the federal government that it lobbies. This has affected its relationship with local chambers and with freshman Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla. Southerland is former chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. In his discussion of the national chamber, featured…

By Zayida Baker The U.S. Chamber of Commerce does not necessarily represent local chambers and often acts against their wishes. Its relationship with freshman Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., has reflected this pattern from the beginning of his political career. In the fall of 2010, shortly after Southerland won the Republican primary to challenge Democrat incumbent…