1. Why do candidates need to raise money?
2. From whom do the candidates get their donations? Are there more donations from individuals or groups (PAC's?) What motivates these individuals or groups to donate?
3. What do the candidates spend the money on? Of those expenditures, which are mandatory, and which are optional?
4. How do campaigns "spend money to make money?"
5. In a mid-term election, do the voters pay more or less attention to the issues than during a presidential election? Why? Does this influence the effect of advertising during the campaign?
6. Is money donated to a candidate because the donor believes in the candidate or because the money will influence the candidate? Does your answer remain the same if the donor is an individual or a group (PAC)? What influence does the lobbyist have?
7. Why are there so many rules when it comes to political fundraising? Are they necessary?
Extended Exercise
Make a Prediction: Will the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act
(which began as the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform bill), passed by the Congress and signed by President Bush, change the way campaigns raise money? Why or why not? Do you think it will be effective?
IN THE COMMUNITY
