Lecture: Political Action Committee (PACs) Monday, March 07, 2011 9:46 AM

• Raise money, channel money to candidates, and lobby them! • Specific  raise money to gain access for government (not a bribe)

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Growth of PACs Grown 7x in 25 years due to F.E.C.A. laws  needed more PACs to contribute same amount Amount of contributions increased greatly as well Over 30% of money raised by Congressmen came from PACs (rising) Tend to give money to both sides of an election  ticket to the door, no matter who wins ○ Contribute money even if incumbent has no opposition… ticket to their door!

Strategies • Raise money and give it to candidates ○ Tend to give money to incumbents  more likely to win ○ Give money to both sides  guaranteed access to the government • Bundling  gather money from individuals and package together to give politicians Who has PACs? • Corporations (50%)  growing quickly too; over-represents wealthy individuals • Non-Connected ("Ideological") (25%)  represent organizations which function based on ideology (ex. Pro-environment, pro-business, etc.) • Labor Unions (10%) • Professional, Trade, Health Associations (15%)

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Pros of PACs No proof that money buys votes  problem: it buys access to government and an open mind on issues Plentiful and diverse source of campaign funding Non-Partisan Contributions  as long as you'll open the door and let them in afterwards, you're good! Constitutional  operate under 1st Amendment Represent interest groups (and thus the American people)

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Cons of PACs Money is a problem in political system… Drives cost of campaigns up (similar to arms race) Further incumbency advantage Unfair access  PACs have more access to government than individuals do Overrepresents the rich  rich have PACs, poor don't

Unit 3 Interest Groups, Political Parties, Media Page 1