1. WHAT DOES THIS POLITICAL CARTOON SUGGEST ABOUT
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS?

2. Why are campaigns so expensive
Why are campaigns so expensive? Brainstorm & make a list of expenses w/a partner.

3. “MONEY IS THE MOTHER’S MILK OF POLITICS?”
MANY CANDIDATES HAVE SAID THIS AND EXPERIENCED IT. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE CANDIDATE AND THE ELECTION PROCESS ITSELF?

4. WHAT MESSAGE IS THE CARTOON EXPRESSING
WHAT MESSAGE IS THE CARTOON EXPRESSING? WHAT PROBLEMS ARISE FOR A REPUBLIC IF THIS IS TRUE? WHAT WOULD MADISON’S POSITION BE ON CONTROLLING THE “SHADOWY” FIGURE?

5. Campaigns and Elections

6. “Mudslinging” – A political term used to describe negative campaigning
“Mudslinging” – A political term used to describe negative campaigning. Instead of emphasizing one's own positive attributes or policies, it is an attempt to gain an advantage by attacking your opponent, or their policies.
Why do you think negative ads about a political opponent are more effective than ads that extol positive attributes about yourself?

7. PACs (Political Action Committees)
527 and 501(c) Groups
Description:
PACs collect money and then make campaign contributions to candidates and/or run TV ads for those candidates. PACs are formed by interest groups, corporations, and labor unions to solicit voluntary campaign contributions from individuals that are then used to help candidates win elections.
Named after section 527and 501(c) of the U.S. tax code, they are largely unregulated by the FEC, so wealthy individuals, corporations, and labor unions can make large donations. They use the money to run “issue ads”. These ads are regularly used to smear the opponent of the candidate that they would like to win.
Examples:
National Right to Life PAC
NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC
NRA-PVF
SARAHPAC
HOOFPAC
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (2004)
Let Freedom Ring (2008)
American Issues Project (2008)
MoveOnOrg (2008)
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund (2008)

8. SUPER PACS
created in July 2010 after SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission.
Known as independent expenditure-only committees
may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.

9. SUPER PACS
Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis -- the Super PAC's choice -- as a traditional PAC would.
Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates

10. Campaign Finance Federal Election Campaign Act 1974 BCFRA
Established the FEC- Federal Election Commission to enforce federal campaign laws.
6 members-3 dem, 3 rep
BCFRA
Eliminated soft money
Increased individual contributions directly to candidates

11. Campaign Finance Cases
Buckley v. Valeo
Challenged FECA on limitations placed on contributions as a limit to freedom of expression
Decision:
Upheld limitations on donations by individuals to help maintain “free competitive elections”
Struck down limitations on candidates spending their own money on campaigns-not necessary to limit the potential for corruption

12. Campaign Finance Cases
McConnell v. FEC
Were the restrictions on soft money from the BCFRA unconstitutional?
Decision
Limitations on soft money was permitted as the impact of free speech was minimal
Congress had not exceeded its powers.

13. Campaign Finance Cases
Citizens United v. FEC
Court ruled that the First Amendment does not permit laws to discriminate between corporations and individuals when it comes to spending INDEPENDENT of candidates and political parties.
Allows corporations and unions to spend money directly advocating election or defeat of candidates. NO CONNECTION WITH PARTY OR CANDIDATE.

14. CURRENT LIMITATIONS
FEC REGULATED- all groups must file disclosure reports-who gave and how spent
Individual limits
$2400 per candidate per election
$5000 to a PAC per year
$30,400 to national political party per year
$10,000 to federal acct of state party committee
No more than $115,500 for two year cycle

15. CURRENT LIMITATIONS PACS $5000 per candidate per election
$15000 to national political parties
If PAC makes contributions to candidates or parties, then it can only accept hard money and follow restrictions
IF a Super PAC and makes independent expenditures, not bound by federal contribution restrictions