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Understanding Political Action Committees: Growth, Strategies, and Influence in US Politics

This informative content delves into the expansion, impact, strategies, and pros and cons of Political Action Committees (PACs) in US politics. Explore the historical evolution, explosive growth of contributions, where the money is allocated, and the entities involved. Learn about the myriad strategies employed, the dangers associated with PACs, and the arguments in favor of their existence within the framework of the First Amendment's right to petition the government.

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Understanding Political Action Committees: Growth, Strategies, and Influence in US Politics

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  1. AP US GovtPACsJanuary 16, 2013 Objective: Examine the growth, influence, strategies and pros/cons of political action committees

  2. I. Growth of PACs • Definition: groups that raise funds for favored candidates • WHY: “Open up” contributionsmasses more people to support your cause • FECA 1974: • Individuals-$1000 (now $2500/inflation) • Individuals-$1000 to a PAC, no limit on #PACs • PACs-5x an individual (now 2.5), no limit on amount that a PAC can contribute/year • No limit on independent expenditures that a PAC could make

  3. II. Explosive Growth of PAC contributions • PACs-even donate to candidates facing no opposition • Most congressional campaign money comes from Individual contributions

  4. III. PAC Strategies WHERE does the money go AND WHY • Incumbents • 2004, 79% of PAC moneyincumbents • Winners-double spending • Those likely to grant access • party leader, committee chair (60 mins video)

  5. III. PAC strategies… 3. Voter education (mailings, fliers, commercials) 4. Independ. expenditures, issue advocacy ads 5. “Bundling”-many individual contributions 6. 527s Groups • Not regulated by FEC

  6. IV. Who has PACs?? • 50%=Corporations • Ideological organizations • Professional/trade/health (AMA) • Labor Unions (WEA)

  7. V. Dangers of PACs • Ethic concerns: “buying votes” • Special accessaverage person lacks • Drives up cost of campaigningfundraising • Further incumbency advantage

  8. VI. In defense of PACs • 1st amendment’s rightright to petition the government • PACs=political education

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