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AP US Govt PACs January 16, 2013

AP US Govt PACs January 16, 2013. Objective : Examine the growth, influence, strategies and pros/cons of political action committees. I. Growth of PACs. Definition : groups that raise funds for favored candidates WHY : “Open up” contributions  masses  more people to support your cause

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AP US Govt PACs January 16, 2013

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  1. AP US GovtPACsJanuary 16, 2013 Objective: Examine the growth, influence, strategies and pros/cons of political action committees

  2. I. Growth of PACs • Definition: groups that raise funds for favored candidates • WHY: “Open up” contributionsmasses more people to support your cause • FECA 1974: • Individuals-$1000 (now $2500/inflation) • Individuals-$1000 to a PAC, no limit on #PACs • PACs-5x an individual (now 2.5), no limit on amount that a PAC can contribute/year • No limit on independent expenditures that a PAC could make

  3. II. Explosive Growth of PAC contributions • PACs-even donate to candidates facing no opposition • Most congressional campaign money comes from Individual contributions

  4. III. PAC Strategies WHERE does the money go AND WHY • Incumbents • 2004, 79% of PAC moneyincumbents • Winners-double spending • Those likely to grant access • party leader, committee chair (60 mins video)

  5. III. PAC strategies… 3. Voter education (mailings, fliers, commercials) 4. Independ. expenditures, issue advocacy ads 5. “Bundling”-many individual contributions 6. 527s Groups • Not regulated by FEC

  6. IV. Who has PACs?? • 50%=Corporations • Ideological organizations • Professional/trade/health (AMA) • Labor Unions (WEA)

  7. V. Dangers of PACs • Ethic concerns: “buying votes” • Special accessaverage person lacks • Drives up cost of campaigningfundraising • Further incumbency advantage

  8. VI. In defense of PACs • 1st amendment’s rightright to petition the government • PACs=political education

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