1. Caucus Reflection
What do you like/not like about using a caucus as a way to pick candidates?
How did you attempt to influence voters to caucus with your candidate?
Which candidate’s teams were most successful at persuading voters? How/why?
Why do you think the winner won?
Iowa is the first state in the nation to pick presidential candidates. What impact does Iowa being a caucus state have on the primary process?

2. Elections and Campaign Finance Reform

3. I. Campaign Finance Reform
Funding is a key ingredient for any campaign.
Elected officials complain about spending so much time fundraising.
Others worry that those who contribute the most are very influential in the types of policies our politicians pursue.

4. B. Federal Election Campaign Act
1971- Required the disclosure of any donations over $
1974- Placed limits on how much people can donate to a campaign, PACS and political Parties.

5. C. The Buckley v. Valeo decision ruled that limits on donations given directly to candidates is constitutional , but that Congress could NOT place limits on other types of campaign spending. 1. This opened the door to soft money. -money donated to political parties, interest groups and PACs.

6. D. Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Bill (McCain-Feingold 2003)
1. Prohibited spending soft money in national elections but raised the limit on hard money. 2. Prohibited corporations and unions from running ads that named a candidate before an election.

7. E. Political Action Committees (PACs)
1. Organizations formed to raise money to influence an election(s). 2. PACs cannot receive or give more than $ from or to any individual.

8. F. Citizens United V. FEC (2010)
The Supreme ruled that most of McCain-Feingold was unconstitutional.
Allowed corporations and unions to make unlimited political donations.
-This was one of the key factors that led to the proliferation of PACs and Super PACs.

9. 3. Independent Expenditure-Only Committees (Super PACs)
a. Can raise unlimited amounts of money but cannot be in contact with the candidate and must disclose who their donors are.

10. 4. Social Welfare Groups
1. Many super pacs have created not profit groups that do not require disclosure. 3. Those donations are then given to the super- pac and only the name of the charity group is disclosed.

11. II. The Electoral College
Criticisms
1. Candidates only campaign in the swing states
2. Winner take all systems in most states increase the likelihood that a candidate can win the popular vote but lose in the electoral college.
-also makes it difficult for 3rd party candidates
3. It is undemocratic because people don’t directly vote for president.

12. B. It has been difficult to change because “smaller” states tend to favor the electoral college and their votes are amplified in the Senate.
C. People are also resistant to change.

13. Review: Discuss w/ partner
1) What is the difference between a PAC and a superPAC? 2) What are the three functions of media? 3) What is political socialization? 4) What are the agents of socialization? 5) What was the Fairness Doctrine? 6) What is done at the national party convention? 7) Mandate theory of elections.

14. IV. Who to vote for?
Socialization Theory- Socialization agents influence who we vote for.
Rational Choice- Voters make a cost/benefit analysis based on perceived costs and benefits of each candidate winning.