1. + FRQ#1: Interest Groups What aspects of our governmental system create Multiple Access Points for interest groups in search of favorable policy?

2. + 1) Separation of Powers Interes t Groups Interes t Groups Congress President & Bureaucracy Federal Courts Federal Courts File lawsuits. Ask pres. to sign/veto bills. Seek favorable legislation. Favorable policy outcomes Favorable policy outcomes LOBBYING! Ask for oversight hearings on implementation. Lobby federal agencies for favorable regulations. Submit amicus curiae briefs. Ask president to issue executive orders.

3. + 2) Federalism State Legislatures and various local law-making boards/councils State Legislatures and various local law-making boards/councils State Governors and various state/local agencies State Governors and various state/local agencies State Court Systems State Court Systems Interest Groups Interest Groups

4. + 3) Frequency of Elections 2012 2013 2014 2015 Primary (spring) General (November) Primary (spring) General (November) Presidential Midterms State/local  At least 6 elections every 4-year cycle. Initiative and Referendum

5. + FRQ#2: Campaign Finance Reform

6. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) Imposed rules and regulations on fundraising practices of candidates. Created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to act as a watchdog and enforce rules. Required Interest Groups to form Political Action Committees (PACs) if they want to donate to campaigns.

7. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) Established limits on “hard money” contributions. Individual Candidate $1000 (primary) $1000 (general election)

8. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) Interest Group Candidate $5000 (primary) $5000 (general election)  Purpose of FECA: Make candidates get lots of small contributors instead of just a few big ones. (PAC)

9. + A. 1970s – Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA) 2) Rich Individual candidate. Political Parties.  3) Independent Expenditure Ads. (unlimited spending if not coordinated with any individual campaigns.) ( unlimited $$$ if given for “party building activities” )  1) Individual (“Issue Ads”) (unlimited spending on own campaign.) Buckley v. Valeo (1976) “Free Speech” Buckley v. Valeo (1976) “Free Speech”  Loopholes: “Soft Money”

10. + B. McCain-Feingold Act (2002) Formal Name: Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) Individual Candidate $2000/primary $2000/general election (Indexed for inflation.)

11. + B. McCain-Feingold Act (2002) 2) Millionaire’s Amendment. Higher contribution limits for opponents of rich, self-funded candidates. Political Party $ 25,000/year (indexed for inflation)  1) Individual

12. + B. McCain-Feingold Act (2002) 3) Blackout periods on Independent Ads: -- 30 days before primary. -- 60 days before general election. (Only “hard money” ads allowed – “Stand by your ad” provision.)

13. + C. Court challenges to BCRA McConnell v. FEC (2003). 5-4 decision upholding BCRA. (w/ Sandra Day O’Connor as swing vote.)

14. + C. Court challenges to BCRA Roberts/Alito Court: FEC v. WRTL (2007). Davis v. FEC (2008). Citizen’s United v. FEC (2010). RNC v. FEC (2014) (pending).

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