The impact of money on US elections and political process

The impact of money on US elections and political process

1. Attempts at campaign finance reform show that this is a key issue

   • 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act
     • Established the FEC and limited the level of donations
       • But undermined by Supreme Court - hard and soft money
   • 2002 McCain-Feingold Act
     • Tried to restrict the use of soft money but had a limited impact
       • Banned foreign donations and made a stand by your ad provision
   • 2010 FEC v Citizens United
     • Limits on what corporations could spend unconstitutional
       • Could allow big business and unions an important voice in the future

2. Obama

   • Harnessed the power of the internet to design the first 21st century fund raising machine
     • By the end of the election, 3 million people had donated over $760 million
       • This meant he became the first candidate that could forgo federal funds
         • This meant that campaign spending limits did not apply
           • During the campaign he could pour resources into crucial swing states
             • In North Carolina, Obama spent over 5 times the amount McCain did on TV ads
       • This was more than the combined amount from Bush-Kerry in 2004
         • Obama raised over $700m in 2012 - Romney trailed behind with $474m
           • Both candidates could decline federal funds showing the limitations of legislation

3. Finance in 2016

   • Clinton raised $620 million - Trump just over $330 million
     • The ability of Clinton to raise money before the election scared off many challengers
       • All figures show that Clinton outspent Trump in 2016 but lost
         • Does this show that money was not important?
           • Or was it because of the unique nature of Trump?
             • His campaign got a great deal of free publicity due his actions
               • He also had the support of websites such as Breitbart and the Fox news channel
                 • Does it also show the growing power of social media and the tendency of voters to focus on what they want to hear?

4. The length of campaigns

   • Most candidates announce their campaign over a year before the election
     • The invisible primary - all about name recognition and media profile
       • Primary elections take place January-June of election year
         • Candidates have to spend hundreds of millions to succeed in these
           • Sanders spent $234m in his attempt to defeat Clinton

5. Synoptic Links

   • The role of the media in US elections
     • The importance of attack ads and negative campaigning
       • This turns many away from the political process
         • Low turnout figures
   • The rise of the Super PACs
     • Soft money - over $1 billion was spent in 2016
       • Priorities USA Action spent $133m - they support Clinton
         • Get our jobs back spent $50m supporting Trump
   • The influence of Pressure Groups on the political process
     • The influence of the NRA on Congress
       • Since the 2012 election, the NRA has spent $3m a year lobbying Congress