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Campaign Finance

Campaign Finance. Finding the Dough…. Why it Matters. Candidates need money to run their campaigns, but too much money from too few people is not democratic!. Essential Questions to Consider…. Why is money a vital campaign resource? How is the use of money regulated in elections today?.

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Campaign Finance

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  1. Campaign Finance Finding the Dough…

  2. Why it Matters Candidates need money to run their campaigns, but too much money from too few people is not democratic!

  3. Essential Questions to Consider… Why is money a vital campaign resource? How is the use of money regulated in elections today?

  4. Answer the following Questions • Using Section 5 on pg. 191-193 Answer these questions: • 1. How is money raised in political campaigns? • 2. Do you see this as a problem? Why or why not? • 3. What is one suggestion you would make for changing the role of money in political campaigns?

  5. How much money is spent? We are talking well over $1 Billion per election cycle • Radio, TV Ads, campaign staff, consultants, posters, bumper stickers, office-space, travel • In 2008,a 30s Primetime TV commercial cost approximately $ 620,000!!!!! • http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/advertising/index.html

  6. Finding the Dough: Sources of Campaign Funding • Private Donators • Small Contributors • Wealthier Persons • Most campaign funds come from individual citizens • Candidates themselves (ex- Hillary Clinton, John Corzine)

  7. Finding the Dough: Sources of Campaign Funding PACs (Political Action Committees) • The political arms of special interest groups that have a major stake in public policy • What do PAC’s do??? • PACs receive contributions from members then distribute these funds to candidates and political parties

  8. PACs (cont’d) • Multi-candidate PAC • Registered PAC that receives money from individuals and gives that money to 5 or more candidates

  9. The Actual DoughHard v. Soft Money • Hard Money • Given to campaigns directly and must be regulated by the FEC (Federal Election Commission) • Soft Money • Given to political organizations for “party-building” activities (ex- voter registration drives) • Does not need to be regulated

  10. How can campaign finance hinder democracy? • ***We know running for office is expensive… • Candidates with limited resources can’t compete with those who are well funded • Excludes many competent candidates from running for office

  11. What about those in office? • Officeholders must spend considerable time and energy building up their campaign finances… • Why is this a problem? • Focused on campaign finance rather than focusing on the work of governing

  12. What about corruption? • Main issue is whether campaign contributions corrupt elected officials • When candidates win public office, many believe they use their positions to benefit big campaign donors

  13. SUPER PACS 6 Billion!!! Pro-Obama 'super PAC' to host event after speech Super PAC behind Rick Perry airs ads in Iowa, S.C. Herman Cain super PAC mulls money Newt Gingrich gets a super PAC ‎

  14. A New Way to Fundraise… • Super PACs • SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission • unconstitutionally restricts the individuals’ freedom of speech by limiting the amount that an individual can contribute • May raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates

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