STILL KATE

i forgot to post this last tuesday



· The 1976 Amendment formation of political action committees(PAC) - Buckley v. Valeo- no limits on individuals spending their own money in a campaigns- 1990 introduces soft money helps to avoid. Allows people to get around the 1974 laws and limits.-Soft money = funds spent for entire party ticket( party mailings ,voter registration, and get out and vote)- enhances national and state parties roles in presidential campaigns.-Election finance reform = major theme in Senator John McCain's campaign for the 2000 .
· criticized soft money.
· McCain Feingold Act.- raised the limits of individual donations from 1,000 dollars to 2,000 dollars -increased all individuals can give to all federal candidates from 25,000 dollars to 95,00o-Banned national political parties from raising and spending soft money for campaigns.-State and local parties can't use soft money for TV ads -Soft money was limited to 10,000 dollars per candidate per year.
· 527 - limitless funds without having to disclose who made the donations or how the donation will be spent.- considered a Political Committee but not directly involved in the campaigns 527's have two distinct advantages:--Exempt from paying taxes on any donations--Donators do not have to make gift taxes on large donations.
· Strategies and tactics-information from pollsters and political consultants, campaign managers mix party, issues and a candidate image to compile an effective strategy.-Campaign messages are sent via media to the public9 television, radio, internet and advertising)-Choices an individual voters make can be analyzed as products of both long term and short term factors.---Long term factors = Party Identification and background of the candidate that is running.---------------Challengers -point out the problems of the other---------------Incumbents campaign using accomplishments -short term-Voters fall back on religion, gender and race.-image - less politically educated.---studies show people vote less based on issues ,and more on party identification/ candidates image.---------------------------------------10---------------------------------------------------Interest Groups: organized body of individuals who share some political goals and trying to influence public policiesHelp /hurt
· -Alexis de Tocquveille, “Democracy in America,” says groups are formed easily shows strong democratic gov.Federalist 10- James Madison, thinks there are dangers in factions