1. C3.5(4) ● Interest Group: like-minded people promoting a specific cause (also known as a “lobby”) ● “Lobbyist”: someone that works for a specific cause ● Wants to influence a politician or political party ● Work to support or defeat a political candidate

2. C3.5(4) ● A way to monitor interest groups and lobbyists ● The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 – Made it difficult for lobbyists to influence politicians – A way to keep lobbying open and transparent ● Positive role of interest groups – Provide information on issues ● Negative role of interest groups – Money

3. C3.5(4) ● One of the largest contributors to “special interest” money comes from unions

4. C3.5(4) ● Public Interest Groups ● Greenpeace, ACLU, Christian Coalition ● Economic Interest Groups ● U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NEA ● Civil Rights Interest Groups ● NAACP, NOW ● Single-Issue Interest Groups ● NRA, MADD

5. C3.5(4) ● Interest Group Spending ● One month before 2006 Election: $16 million ● One month before 2010 Election: $80 million – Why? – Recent Supreme Court rulings favors Interest Groups

6. C3.5(4)

8. ● What is the aim of this group?

9. C3.5(4)