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Interest Groups in Campaigns

Interest Groups in Campaigns. In what ways can interest groups affect campaigns?. In what ways can interest groups affect campaigns?. Candidate recruitment and training Non-financial support for candidates PAC Contributions Independent Expenditures. Candidate recruitment and training.

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Interest Groups in Campaigns

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  1. Interest Groups in Campaigns

  2. In what ways can interest groups affect campaigns?

  3. In what ways can interest groups affect campaigns? • Candidate recruitment and training • Non-financial support for candidates • PAC Contributions • Independent Expenditures

  4. Candidate recruitment and training • Get its members to run for office • Recruit a candidate • Run training seminars for candidates

  5. From NWPC’s Training Seminar for Women Candidates • “Candidates must have a strong ego, but many women area afraid to blow their own horn. Go ahead and brag about your strong points. • Control your emotions, especially anger or tears. Avoid tilting your head or using other body language that suggests a lack of confidence. • Recognize that some voters question a woman’s leadership skills. Highlight any experience that shows you leading others or making tough decisions. • Prepare answers for stupid questions. For example, “what does your husband think about your candidacy?’ Possible response: ‘He supports me and recognizes that my background and work in our community make me the best candidate for this office.”

  6. GOPAC • Training seminars teaching officeholders how to use their incumbency to their advantage • How to communicate in different media (speeches, debates, media, ads) • Advice on fundraising: “If this is your first time running for office and you have not had the opportunity to adequately introduce yourself to the local donor community, third party letters can be a better vehicle for gaining credibility and acceptance in these circles…”

  7. Non-financial candidate support • Endorse a candidate • Create scorecards to inform voters at large • Advertise to group’s members about a candidate • Encourage group’s members to volunteer on behalf of a candidate • Provide campaign services

  8. 2 types of Political Action Committees (FEC definitions) Separate Segregated Funds: political committees established and administered by corporations, labor unions, membership organizations or trade associations. Can only solicit contributions from individuals associated with connected or sponsoring organization. Get money from sponsoring organization, not subject to disclosure requirements. Nonconnected committees--not sponsored by or connected to any above organization Get contributions from the general public. 

  9. PAC Contribution rules • A multi-candidate committee • has been registered with the FEC for at least 6 months • receives contributions from more than 50 persons • makes contributions to 5 or more candidates for Federal office

  10. Multi-candidate committee rules • Non-connected multi-candidate PACs • Can accept $5000 from an individual • Can give $5000 to a candidate • Can give $15,000 to a party committee • No limits on overall spending

  11. The PAC universe • www.opensecrets.org

  12. Other ways to give money • Bundling

  13. Other ways to give money • Bundling • Independent Spending

  14. PAC Contribution Strategies • To buy Access • Both parties • Committee chairs • Incumbents only • To affect ideological composition of Congress • Challengers too • In close races • Don’t give money at all

  15. Why do only some groups form PACs?

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