Nature of Modern Campaigns Most electoral contests are similar in a number of ways. Nomination campaign aimed at winning primary. General election campaign.

Nature of Modern Campaigns

Most electoral contests are similar in a number of

ways.

Nomination campaign aimed at winning primary.

General election campaign aimed at winning final

race.

Cost of CampaignsIn 2008, Obama and McCain raised and spent

more than $1 billion in their race for the White House

The average winning candidate in the House of Representative now spends 1.4 million; the average winning candidate in the Senate over 9 million (exceptions Hillary Clinton of New York: 41 million; Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania: 28 million)

Its costs money to raise funds; Bush spent $1 for every $4.5 raised in 2004

Money and CampaigningThe Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms

Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) Created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to

administer campaign finance laws for federal elections Provided public financing for presidential primaries and

general elections (sufficient contributions in at least 20 states)

Limited Presidential Campaign spending Limited Contributions (Individuals $1000; PACs $5,000) Required disclosure

Filing of periodic reports with the FECMoney—from whom? How much was spent? For what?

Loopholes in 1974 FECASoft moneyIndependent expendituresbundling

Money and CampaigningThe Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms

Soft Money: political contributions (not subject to contribution limits) earmarked for party-building expenses or generic party advertising

Hard Money: funds that are raised subject to federal campaign contributions and expenditure limitations

The McCain-Feingold Act (2002) banned soft money, increased amount of individual contributions, and introduced restrictions on political advertising close to an election

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act Passed in 2002 to update FECA of 1974.

Does not regulate use of personal money.

Outlaws use of soft money.

New limits on individual and political action committee funds.

Independent expenditures: Individuals, PACs, and Parties may spend unlimited amount of money directly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate as long as expenditures are not coordinated with campaign.

Money and CampaigningThe Proliferation of PACs

Political Action Committees (PACs): created by law in 1974 to allow corporations, labor unions and other interest groups to donate money to campaigns; PACs are registered with and monitored by the FEC.

As of 2006 there were 4,217 PACs.PACs contributed over $372.1 million to

congressional candidates in 2006.PACs donate to candidates who support their

issue.PACs do not “buy” candidates, but give to

candidates who support them in the first place.

The 527 Loophole: Result of BCRA

527s: independent groups that seek to influence

political process but are not subject to

contribution restricts because they do not directly

seek election of particular candidates

Advocacy may only be paid for with hard money.

Soft money is banned under BCRA.

Cannot advocate for candidates, only causes and

policy.

Back

PACs and Their Conributions

Money and CampaigningAre Campaigns Too Expensive?

Fundraising takes a lot of time.Incumbents do worse when they spend more

money because they need to spend to defeat quality challengers.

The doctrine of sufficiency suggests that candidates need just “enough” money to win, not necessarily “more.”