470 likes | 555 Views
Congress and Fundraising. Opportunities to discuss course content. Thursday 10-2 Friday 10-12. Learning Objectives. Analyze the theories of why people vote and apply them to the 2012 Election .
E N D
Opportunities to discuss course content • Thursday 10-2 • Friday 10-12
Learning Objectives • Analyze the theories of why people vote and apply them to the 2012 Election. • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of how presidential and congressional elections are financed.
Government Money in the Primary Federal Money is available in primary and general election There are Eligibility Requirements, caps on spending, and caps on raising. 22 million from the G, and 55 million cap on spending
Federal Money in the 2012 Primaries In 2012, no one accepts it Candidate strategy helped end this
Public Funding for General Election • Each candidate could receive 91 million in public money • It doesn’t kick in until you are officially nominated • This money served to reduce campaign costs and remove any potential for corruption
Money Why Do I need it and where do I get it?
Why I Need Money to Run for office • It buys advertising and mobilizes voters • It converts itself • In Scares away challengers
I Will Lose Without it • There is no public money available or it is foolish to take it • The Cost of Winning a seat • 1.3 Million in the House • 7 Million in the Senate
Sources • Individuals • Parties • Pacs • Third Party Groups
The Role of the Internet • Publicity • Instant Access • Low Opportunity Costs • Currently favors the Democrats
Political Action Committees • The Money Giving Arm of an Interest Group • Can Give $5,000 per candidate per election
Different PACs have different Goals • Issue PACS • Labor PACS • Ideological PACS • Leadership PACS
PACS Give to Safe Seats • Money flows to safe seats • Giving money to losers has no return on investment • If I wanted to buy seats, I would give to underdogs and closer races
Why do I give to Incumbents of any party? • I care about the issues, not the label • I want to keep my supporters in office • Keep my enemies out
PACS Give to People Who Already Support them • “Corporations Love Everyone” • You want them to get reelected • You want them to continue to support your ideas
Donors Do not Try and “Switch” People • My money is not going to change their votes • They won’t take my money anyway
If Money Buys votes, why don’t I give to undecided members • Money could convince them to vote my way • But what if it doesn’t • Its safer to hang on to it
If I wanted to Buy Votes? Than why do I give to my friends? • I give my money to my strongest supporters • You want them to get elected and reelected • You want them to continue to support your ideas
In Texas Ted Cruz Paul Sadler
The Goal Of My Money • Access • A chance to meet with legislators • Ensure my views are represented
Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission Corporations and labor unions can spend unlimited amounts of undisclosed money to call for the election or defeat of candidates all the way to election day. Can include the magic words Cannot be in conjunction with a candidate or party
Independent Expenditures in 2010 From The Right From The Left
Super PACS • Created by Speechnow Decision • Can collect unlimited amounts of disclosed money • Can collect from “non-profits” who don’t • Must be independent and can use magic words
501(C) “nonprofits” • Can Spend Unlimited Amounts of Money • Do not have to disclose their donors • Can’t use the magic words • Can’t be primarily engaged in politics
Karl Rove: Best of Both Worlds American Crossroads Crossroads GPS 501 (c) Doesn’t have to disclose donors Can give to other 501(c) groups as part of social welfare goal • Super Pac • Must Disclose Donors
Sheldon Adelson • 92 Million total • 20.5 Million went to Newt Gingrich • The biggest donor of 2012
Advantages of Super Pacs • They Can Spend the Unlimited Amounts • Level the Playing Field • Say things that a candidate would never say
Disadvantages of Super Pacs • Message problems • Cost-effectiveness
Impact of the Super-pacs • GOP outspends 2-1, but Hard Money is still better • Tend to give to ideologically pure and long-shot candidates • Will have to re-evaluate themselves
The Republicans The Election
The Republicans • Romney • Perry • Gingrich • Santorum
Obama’s Super Pac Strategy • Previously • If You cant beat them, join them • Creates a super pac
Obama in the Summer • Preemptive Attack • Battleground States • Cost-Effective