 starter activity In on 8 August 1974 Richard Nixon resigned as US president. What did money have to do with his choice to resign? 

Does money talk in US presidential elections? To identify 5 reasons why campaign finance is crucial in winning in US elections To identify 5 sources of campaign finance To assess the impact of recent reforms to campaign financing To assess the impact of recent reforms to campaign financing  LOs

Why is funding so important in US elections?  Why was Obama so successful in gaining campaign finance?  Your task

Reasons why funding is so important High cost of TV advertising Size of country – 50 states Diversity of voters – need for targeted campaigns Specialist staff to run modern campaigns ‘Permanent campaigning’

 Your task Read p Note down at least 5 major changes to campaign finance as a result of the Federal Election Campaign Act, 1974 (FECA) & Campaign Reform Act, 2002 Read p Note down at least 5 major changes to campaign finance as a result of the Federal Election Campaign Act, 1974 (FECA) & Campaign Reform Act, 2002

Reforms on campaign finance Federal funding for presidential (but not congressional) elections - ‘matching funds’ Federal funding for presidential (but not congressional) elections - ‘matching funds’ Limits to individual & corporate donations Limits to individual & corporate donations Federal Election Commission regulated new system Federal Election Commission regulated new system Ban on ‘soft money’, e.g. issue advocacy or voter registration drives Ban on ‘soft money’, e.g. issue advocacy or voter registration drives ‘Stand by Your Ad’ provision ‘Stand by Your Ad’ provision

527 groups Kerry v Bush campaign (2004), ‘Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Group’ 

 Your task Identify the positive & negative impact of recent reform in campaign finance. Use colour to differentiate your findings. Identify the positive & negative impact of recent reform in campaign finance. Use colour to differentiate your findings.  Extension. On balance would you say that money still talks in US elections?  Extension. On balance would you say that money still talks in US elections?

Impact Federal funding goes to candidates not parties – weakens party structure Federal funding goes to candidates not parties – weakens party structure Favours major parties – minor parties fail to achieve 5% of vote to receive federal funding Favours major parties – minor parties fail to achieve 5% of vote to receive federal funding Tighter regulation by FECA led to growth of political action committees Tighter regulation by FECA led to growth of political action committees Supreme Court ruled parts of FECA unconstitutional (Buckley v Valeo, 1976) Supreme Court ruled parts of FECA unconstitutional (Buckley v Valeo, 1976) New methods of fundraising, e.g. internet New methods of fundraising, e.g. internet Growth of 527 groups Growth of 527 groups

Plenary Plenary Explain the terms: matching funds, soft money, 527 groups Explain the terms: matching funds, soft money, 527 groups Give 5 reasons why campaign finance is important in the USA Give 5 reasons why campaign finance is important in the USA List 5 sources of campaign finance List 5 sources of campaign finance How effective have recent changes to campaign finance been? How effective have recent changes to campaign finance been?  Is the situation better in the UK  Is the situation better in the UK Use your notes or visit the electoral Commission Website to find out current laws on political finance in the UK Use your notes or visit the electoral Commission Website to find out current laws on political finance in the UK

 Homework Read Bennett p.71-2 and note the ways in which the 2008 presidential campaign changed the way in which future elections will be financed. Read Bennett p.71-2 and note the ways in which the 2008 presidential campaign changed the way in which future elections will be financed. Use your notes or visit the electoral Commission Website to find out current laws on political finance in the UK Use your notes or visit the electoral Commission Website to find out current laws on political finance in the UK  Extension. Use the weblinks on Studyhistory to explore the troubled history of party funding in the UK and note down examples of controversies and current plans for reform.  Extension. Use the weblinks on Studyhistory to explore the troubled history of party funding in the UK and note down examples of controversies and current plans for reform.