The document discusses the history and evolution of campaign finance laws in the United States. It describes key acts and court rulings that have shaped campaign financing, including the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974, McCain-Feingold Act, Citizens United v. FEC ruling, rise of 527 groups and super PACs. The document also questions whether modern campaigns have become too expensive, noting estimates that 2008 federal elections cost over $5 billion and the concept of sufficient spending to effectively communicate a candidate's message.

2.  Walking Review
• WALK around the room and talk to your peers
• “Use” your peers to help you answer the questions
on the sheet.
• You may only receive one answer per peer

3. Increase in
Fund-raising
for
Presidential
Nomination
Campaigns

4.  The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms
• Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974
 Created Federal Election Commission;
 Provided public financing for presidential primaries and
general elections;
 Limited presidential campaign spending;
 Required disclosure of funds;
 and limited contributions.
 Around $2,300 per person

5. LO 9.3
 The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms (cont.)
• Soft Money
 Contributions for party building expenses or generic party
advertising not subject to contribution limits.
• McCain-Feingold Act (2002) bans soft
money, increased amount of individual
contributions, and limited issue ads.

6.  The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms (cont.)
• 527 Groups
 Independent groups seek to influence the political process
but are not subject to contribution limits because they do
not directly seek election of particular candidates.
• 501(c) AKA Super PACS
 Allows for unlimited political donations

7.  Citizens United v. F.E.C.
• Supreme Court said that limiting corporations/unions
on campaign spending was a violation of their first
amendment right

8. LO 9.3
To Learning Objectives
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

9.  Are Campaigns Too Expensive?
• Center for Responsive Politics estimated in 2008
that the contests for the presidency and Congress
cost over $5 billion.
• More congressional incumbents spend, the worse
they do.
 Connected to the fact that the more they spend the
tougher their opponent is
• Doctrine of sufficiency
 Spend enough money to get a message across to
compete effectively.