Transcript Chapter 9 Review Interest Groups

Chapter 9
Review
Interest Groups
How does PAC spending on campaign
funds compare to that of presidential
campaign funds?
How does PAC spending on campaign
funds compare to that of presidential
campaign funds?
PAC spending makes ups a much higher
percentage in congressional races
How come most civil rights groups don’t
need lobbyists?
How come most civil rights groups don’t
need lobbyists?
Due to the civil rights legislation that has
been passed, they can achieve their
desires through the courts
Regarding issue networks, what
governmental groups are included in
lobbyists attempts to influence?
Regarding issue networks, what
governmental groups are included in
lobbyists attempts to influence?
Congressional committees,
governmental and non-governmental
bureaucratic agencies
What is the “revolving door” in politics?
What is the “revolving door” in politics?
When a government official leaves office,
they join a firm they’ve been doing
business with, often becoming
lobbyists themselves. (Joel Gambria
and former Buffalo Mayor Massiello
are two prime examples)
How much can PACs contribute to a
candidate’s congressional campaign?
How much can PACs contribute to a
candidate’s congressional campaign?
$5000 in the primary and $5000 in the
general election
What is the ACLU?
What is the ACLU?
The American Civil Liberties Union. A
group that is less than popular,
because they sometimes support the
unpopular cause, removing “Under
God” in the pledge, is one example.
Where do PACs spend most of their
campaign money?
Where do PACs spend most of their
campaign money?
Mostly to incumbents. The devil you
know beats the devil you don’t know.
The revolving door of politics raises a
key concern of many. What is that
concern?
The revolving door of politics raises a
key concern of many. What is that
concern?
A clear conflict of interest between
lobbyists and these officials, who might
be feathering their bed, in the event
they lose an election.
Why don’t special interest group lobby a
Supreme Court Justice?
Why don’t special interest group lobby a
Supreme Court Justice?
They’re the Supreme Court, they rule on
the body of law and the US
Constitution, not on public policy
Lobbyists serve an important function,
other than getting their way, in regards
to public officials. What is the
function?
Lobbyists serve an important function,
other than getting their way, in regards
to public officials. What is the
function?
They provide specialized and important
information to officials, that they may
not have access to otherwise.
What is a “grass roots campaign”?
What is a “grass roots campaign”?
It is when a large number of citizens
begin to contact politicians on a single
issue or cause, where the support and
ground swell begin from the people.
How is the NRA, NOW, Democratic
Party, the Green Party and AARP
similar?
How is the NRA, NOW, Democratic
Party, the Green Party and AARP
similar?
They are all key components that
promote democracy by linking the
citizens of America to the political
process
Over the past thirty years or so, these
interest groups have increased, and
have become the most common type
of interest groups.
Over the past thirty years or so, these
interest groups have increased, and
have become the most common type
of interest groups.
Economic interest groups (Corporations
and unions, for example)
Regardless of jokes to the contrary,
politicians are pretty bright people. For
the most part, what kind of information
do they need from interest groups.
Regardless of jokes to the contrary,
politicians are pretty bright people. For
the most part, what kind of information
do they need from interest groups.
Technical information or industry specific
information that they might not
otherwise have access to.
You’re now a politician with a rep from
the NRA in your office. Why might you
not trust everything he/she says?
You’re now a politician with a rep from
the NRA in your office. Why might you
not trust everything he/she says?
Because lobbyists are not just there to
provide information, but they’re also
trying to persuade you. (Cardstacking
propaganda tells only one side of a
story)
What did the great James Madison think
of factions (or as we call them, interest
groups)?
What did the great James Madison think
of factions (or as we call them, interest
groups)?
They were a dangerous part of the
governmental process, but because of
the system we have, were pretty much
unavoidable.
How do lobbyists help contribute to the
legislative process in a positive way?
How do lobbyists help contribute to the
legislative process in a positive way?
They’re an important source of information,
can help pass legislation that will help the
people they represent, they help politicians
get re-elected, they are a great source of
ideas and innovations that can bring new
ideas to Congress
How do lobbyists try to influence
lawmakers?
How do lobbyists try to influence
lawmakers?
Providing needed information, give expert
testimony on issues, file amicus curiae
briefs to members of the judiciary, give
money to candidates, create
ratings/rankings on how candidates support
specific issues, create media opportunities,
use Internet and direct mail for support, aid
campaign fundraisers
How would the NRA accomplish its
goals?
How would the NRA accomplish its
goals?
Probably mostly with money to campaigns for
support, file amicus curiae briefs to protect their
interpretation of the Second Amendment, using
the media to support its position. (Remember
John Kerry’s hunting trip? Hmmm?) Also,
perhaps lobby bureaucrats responsible for
enforcing codes and regulations regarding
purchase and use of firearms.
How might lobbyists detract from the
legislative process?
How might lobbyists detract from the
legislative process?
Can gridlock the process, cause conflicts of
interest between competing interests, give
misleading information, unduly influence
legislators with the promise of money.
Remember Bush’s plan on saving Social
Security? AARP cause the debate to go
away.
The End