1. 11/14 How are the following most likely to vote? Crosscutting -
Men
Low income
Those with college degree
Jewish and Catholic
African Americans
Crosscutting -
Realignment -

2. Interest Groups

3. Role of Interest Groups
An interest group is a private organization whose members share certain views and work to shape public policy.
Interest groups exist to shape public policy.

4. Political Parties vs. Interest Groups
3 key differences
Nominations
Distinct difference between pps and igs
Interest Groups try to influence nominations only for the purpose of affecting policy
Primary Focus
Control government vs. shape policy
Parties care about the who, Interest Groups care about the what
Scope of Interest
Parties concern themselves with a wide range of affairs
Interest Groups focus on a specific issue – NRA, Planned Parenthood, AARP, State Farm, American Medical Assc.

5. Functions of Interest Groups
Raise awareness of public affairs
Represent people based on attitudes, instead of geography
Provide information/research to the government
Provide another way for the public to participate in the political process
Keep tabs on public agencies and officials

6. Criticisms of Interest Groups
Influence can far outweigh their size
Difficult to tell how who or how many people are represented by an interest group
Groups don’t always represent the views of their members
Sometimes use shady tactics
- Bribery, threats, etc.

7. Types of Interest Groups
Economic interest groups: business, labor, agriculture
Walmart, General Motors, AFL-CIO
Single issue groups
NRA, Planned Parenthood
Promote the welfare of a certain group
AARP, NAACP
Religious organizations
Public interest groups seek improvements for all society
Common Cause, ACLU

8. What Interest Groups do
Lobbying – any activity an interest group does to influence the government
Legislative branch
Executive branch
Judicial branch – amicus curiae brief
Federal, State or Local level
Lobbyist is a person who works for an interest group and represents that group to the government

10. What lobbyists do?
Send info (articles, reports, etc.) to officeholders
Testify to Congress
Use grass-roots techniques to activate constituents
Send letters, s, make phone calls
Grade candidates & publicize ratings
Make campaign contributions

11. Political Action Committee (PAC)
Extension of an interest group which tries to influence elections by making contributions to political campaigns
PAC website
Jack Abramoff video

12. Federal Elections Commission
Regulates money in elections
Hard money – contributions directly to a candidate’s campaign
Regulated by FEC
Soft money – money spent directly on commercials
Unregulated by the FEC
Citizens United v. FEC

13. Super PAC
Independent expenditure-only committee that may raise unlimited money
Don’t contribute to candidates
Spend money directly, for or against candidates
Super PAC website
Super PAC video