Aim: What role do special interest groups play in our government? Do Now: Examine the list of interest groups. Which ones best represent you interests? Center for Reproductive Rights Friends of Tobacco MADD NAACP American Medical Association National Rifle Association Defenders of Wildlife Union of Concerned Scientists American Life League American Cheese Society Americans for Better Immigration Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers American Civil Liberties Union Criminal Justice Policy Foundation

Notes: Lobby: purpose of a lobby is to persuade lawmakers to pass laws that will favor the group the lobby represents. People who work for lobbies are called lobbyists. They attempt to influence lawmakers by providing information and giving special receptions and dinners where they can promote their ideas. A Political Action Committee (PAC) is a group created by a lobbying organization to influence elections by providing money to candidates. Hard Money: Money donated directly to a candidate for his campaign. Soft Money: Money donated to a party, for “party- building” activities. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Bill): Limits the amount of money that can be donated to a campaign. Attempts to eliminate soft money contributions.

Arguments in favor of contribution and spending limits include: Wealthy individuals, unions, corporations, and interest groups use political contributions to advanced their own legislative agendas, undermining the will of the people. Wealthy contributors may actually determine who is elected to office. The need to raise large amounts of money may discourage qualified persons from running for office. Preoccupation with money-raising may keep office holders from doing their jobs.

Arguments against limits on campaign contributions and spending include: Placing caps on campaign spending is an unconstitutional limit on freedom of speech. Spending limits could prevent lesser-known challengers from getting their message out. Attempts to reform campaign financing often create new problems. Examples: 1) The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 created Political Action Committees (PACs), which generated even higher levels of campaign spending by interest groups. 2) To avoid provisions of BCRA, wealthy donors are giving huge sums to independent organizations that engage in political activities. Campaign reform can be achieved by relying on complete disclosure of fund sources rather than spending limits or public financing of political campaigns.