2. Media & Public Opinion Shaping the Ideas of the Electorate

3. What is public opinion? A complex collection of the opinions of many different people. It usually applies to large numbers of people who respond to a survey. Define: public affairs. Events & issues which concern the people at large – politics, laws, public issues.

4. How does family influence public opinion? Children learn from their parents and siblings experiences, thoughts, and values.

5. Saluting the flag, reciting the pledge of allegiance, singing patriotic songs, learning about great leaders, and taking American Government. What are some examples of how school influence public opinion?

6. Besides family influence and schools, what are the other factors that influence public opinion? Occupation, income levels, race, gender, place of residence, and age.

7. Define mass media: The means of communication that reaches large, widely dispersed audiences.

8. What is included in mass media? Newspapers, magazines, radio, the Internet, and TV

9. How do peer groups reinforce what a person believes? People usually trust their friend’s point of view. Also, when friends share the same socialization experiences, they tend to think along the same lines.

10. What are some examples of historic events that have shaped public opinion? The Depression, WWII, Watergate Scandal, assassinations of certain leaders.

11. Campaign Spending In 2008, what was the total spending for all of the major and minor party presidential efforts? Over $ 2.4 Billion Spent!! What about for the 2012 election? http://fec.gov/disclosurep/pnational.do

12. What are some examples of how campaign money is spent? Professional campaign managers and consultant, advertisements, office rent, poll data, data processing, mass mailings, websites, and travel http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- srv/special/politics/track-presidential-campaign-ads-2012/

13. Sources of funding What are two basic sources that parties & candidates draw campaign funds from? Private contributors and the public treasury

14. Define : Political Action Committee (PAC) The political arms of special interest & other organizations with a stake in electoral politics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMvG54GjtRI Define: Subsidy A grant of money, usually from the government.

15. Why do people give? Small Donors: Belief in a candidate Access the candidates or want a favor Big Donors: Want their interests met Appointments, jobs, recognition Laws changed, repealed, or passed

16. Regulating Campaign Finance What is the Federal Election Commission? Administer all federal law dealing with campaign finance. Created by Congress in 1974. Independent agency in the Executive Branch ( 6 members)

17. What are the four broad areas the FEC enforces? 1. Require timely disclosure of campaign finance data 2. Place limits on campaign contributions 3. Place limits on campaign expenditures 4. Provide public funding for several parts of the presidential election process FEC Funding Q & A - http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_public_funding.shtml#whatispublicfunding

18. What the impact of “CITIZENS UNITED v. FEC” on funding candidates? Political spending is a form of protected speech Government may not keep corporations or unions from spending money. Corporations or unions may not give money directly to campaigns Persuade using other means (including ads) especially where these ads were not broadcast.

19. Hard Money vs. Soft Money What is the difference between Hard Money and Soft Money? Hard money: Directly used to elect candidates for Congress & White House Soft Money: Given to party organizations for party building activities: Ex. voter registration Money as Free Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-bYU2cZ48