Candidates
The name given to a candidate running for reelection
Incumbent
Name given to money you can give directly to candidate campaigns
hard money
The full name for a PAC
Political Action Committee
Political nickname for the media
The fourth branch
Term given to media coverage based on poll numbers
Horse race journalism
Why do PACs favor individuals running for reelection?
They've proven they can win and already have a supportive base
Presidential candidates have recently refused to pull from this source of money
Presidential Election Campaign Fund(public financing)
Name for nonprofit, tax exempt organizations
501c4s
Term given to the media's ability to focus public attention on particular issues
agenda setting
Majority of media attention is given to which part of a campaign
Day-to-day activities and poll placement
The significant factors that contribute to candidate appeal
Appearance
Height
Charisma
Speaking ability
Background
Governing body that oversees federal elections
Federal Elections Commission
Give an example hoe the FEC regulates PAC's
PAC's are limited in how much they can contribute to individual campaigns and must disclose donors
Significant factor that influences why news media focuses on the topics they do
ad revinue
Information is most frequently reported to media institutions to report on during campaigns
Poll numbers
Presidential candidates devote the majority of their energy trying to win which states?
Bonus: Explain Why
Larger states due to the larger number of electoral votes they contribute to the election
Act that sought to reign in corporate contributions to campaigns
McCain Feingold Act(Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act)
PAC's typically focus their attention on which type of elections?
Congressional Elections
How is the media a linkage institution
Connects the people to the actions of government
Negative impact on the electorate with the media focusing on candidate numbers
The electorate is less informed on candidate viewpoints and their platform
Two significant advantages incumbents have over challengers in congressional elections
Incumbents receive more contributions, provide more services to their constituents, have a track record to impress upon their base
Court case that ruled corporations can contribute unlimited funds to independent political campaigns
Citizens United vs FEC
What is the significant difference between Super PACs and 501c4s
501c4's are nonprofits whose major purpose must be issue driven, they don't have to disclose their donors
Court case that deemed the use of prior restraint by the Nixon administration to be unconstitutional
NY Times vs United States
How has the media contributed to the current political landscape in the united states?
Focus on divisive topics and political ideologies resulted in deeper political divides amongst the electorate