1. Show me the money! 1. Question
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Show me the money! 1 2 3 4
1. Question
Have you ever received campaign flyers in your mailbox? Have you seen the commercials on TV promoting political candidates? Where does the money come from to pay for those mailings and commercials?
“The money that finances a political campaign has tremendous influence on who runs for office, how that person campaigns, and if elected, on how that person prioritizes constituent interests. Each time Congress has passed a law designed to limit campaign contributions and spending from any one individual or group, wealthy contributors have found "loopholes" which let them avoid legal restrictions. Additionally, the Supreme Court has ruled that absolute limits on federal campaign spending violate the First Amendment to the Constitution.” (taken from PBS NOW)
Image Source: Microsoft Clip Art
Review: Soft Money & Hard Money
How successful is Campaign Finance Reform in the United States?

2. 2. Information Sources Next 1 2 3 4
Research the history of Campaign Finance Reform in the United States. Use either Cornell Notes or a web 2.0 tool of your choice to record your research.
General Information about Campaign Finance Reform
Campaign Finance – 1970’s
Campaign Finance early 2000’s (sources listed in chronological order)
Campaign Finance – 2008 to now (sources listed in chronological order)
A Century of U.S. Campaign Finance Law
Federal Election Commission - Campaign Finance Disclosure Portal
ACLU – Campaign Finance Reform
Votesmart.org Campaign Finance portal
FEC - A Short History
Buckley v. Valeo
NBC Learn – McCain Discusses Supreme Court Ruling on Campaign Finance Reform (2003)
McConnell v. Federal Election Commission
AZ Free Enterprise Club Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett
NBC Learn – Obama Rejects Public Financing
NBC Learn – Super PAC’s Raise Millions in GOP Race
NBC Learn – President Obama Criticized for Ties to Lucrative Non-profit
Image Source: ACLU Campaign Finance Reform

3. Check the Campaign Finance Files!
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3. Student Activity 1 2 3 4
Check the Campaign Finance Files!
Use the PBS Campaign Finance Files to uncover internal documents from the Democratic and Republican party officials in showing how financing could influence policy. Read at least 4 artifacts and summarize using this organizer or shutterb.org and make sure to choose from both of the political parties.
Should the government limit spending on Campaigns or will limiting spending infringe upon first amendment rights?
Laws Shouldn’t Supersede Free Speech
Secret Campaign Funding Corrupts and Endangers Democracy
Read each of the links and add to your organizer the Pro-campaign finance reform and Anti-campaign finance reform platforms.
Image Source: Opensecrets.org

4. How successful is Campaign Finance Reform in the United States?
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4. Assessment Activity
Use your notes to create a Prezi to answer the essential question:
How successful is Campaign Finance Reform in the United States?
Be sure to include the following in your Prezi:
General overview of Campaign finance reform from 1970’s-today
Controversies involving Campaigns by both major political parties
Debate over the effectiveness of Campaign finance reform in the United States
Your personal opinion of Campaign finance reform based on your research
Image Source: clipart.com