1. Campaign Finance There are various articles and reading that need to be done for this issue. Please read the following: Grant article – Money and the 2004 elections, Grant –the summary sheets, Campaign Finance Reform ARTICLE - William Storey, Edward Ashbee 2012, Super Pacs 2013

2. Basic Summary After Watergate the Federal Election Campaign Act attempted to tighten up the rules for campaigning 1976 –Buckley v Valeo in this case the SC ruled that limiting donations form Political Action Committees was unconstitutional 1979soft money allowed by Congress (for party building activities) 2002 soft money had been getting out of hand so the McCain – Feingold Reforms were passed and limitations were placed – BCRA p.72, box 2.3 2004 – emergence of 527s 2008Obama’s campaign largely funded by small internet donors, he forewent the ‘matching funds’ Super PACS – POSITIVE – an important outlet for political speech. NEGATIVES – another outlet for unlimited money Key cases – CITIZENS UNITED V FEC 2010 organisations allowed the same rights as individuals and SPEECHNOW.ORG V FEC led to the emergence of independent expenditure only committees, (just extensions of 1 or more campaigns) also led to the emergence of SUPER PA

3. Examples of SUPER PACS Restore Our Future $142.6 million American Crossroads $124.1 million Priorities USA $77.7 million $269.6 million combined spent on negative campaigning

4. Television – commercials, debates news coverage

5. Key Debates in recent history Obama v Romney 2012Reagan V Mondale 1984

6. Key factors in the Debates Style substance Verbal gaffes Good sound bites

7. Do debates matter? No They confirm what people already know Yes Viewing figures vary and rise Viewing figures vary and fall Sarah Palin was like car crash TV