Essay Question: Campaign Finance R eforms

1. Essay Question:Campaign Finance Reforms Jessica

2. The Question The US Congress has debated a variety of campaign finances reforms over the last decade. The proposals included the following: • Eliminating soft money • Limiting independent expenditures • Raising limits on individuals contribution

3. The Question Select one of the listed proposals and do the following: • Define the proposal • Describe an argument that favors the proposal • Describe an argument that is against the proposal

4. Points • 1 point is earned for the definition of the proposal* • 1 point is earned for the description of the argument in favor of the proposal • 1 point is earned for thedescription of the argument againstthe proposal. • *The response may get description points without the definition points, but the description must reference the particular proposal.

5. Eliminating Soft Money Definition: • Prohibiting or regulating campaign contributions to political parties and/or contributions for party building activities

6. Eliminating Soft Money Arguments in favor for: • Soft money is often used to circumvent limits on hard money • Levels the playing field • Lessens concern about undue influence of “fat cats”/ buying influence • Provides more disclosures and transparency • Decreases overall cost of the campaign

7. Eliminating Soft Money Arguments against: • First amendment • Contrary to ruling in Buckley v. Valeo* • Party money is one step removed between contributor and decision-maker • Weakens political parties • Might lessen grassroots participation

8. Limiting Independent Expenditures Definition: • Limiting money spent by individuals and groups not directly affiliated with the candidate or the party

9. Limiting Independent Expenditures Arguments in favor for: • Can be used to circumvent limits on hard money • Levels the playing field • Possibly reduces negative issue ads. • Candidates want to control their own campaign • Lessens concern about undue influence of “fat cat”/ buying of influence

10. Limiting Independent Expenditures Arguments against: • First Amendment • Contrary rule in Buckley v. Valeo • Might lesson grassroots participation

11. Raising Limits on Individual Contributions Definition: • Prohibiting or regulating campaign contributions to political parties and/ or contributions for party building activities

12. Raising Limits on Individual Contributions Arguments in favor for: • Limits are not indexed inflation • Candidates can spend less time fundraising • Decrease influence of PACs • Decreases restrictions under First Amendment rights* • Decrease reliance on less-regulated forms of campaign funds

13. Raising Limits on Individual Contributions Arguments against: • Allows the rich to have/buy more influence • Too much money in the process already • Drives up the cost of campaigns

14. Good luck “And may the odds ever be in your favor.”