1. Shaping Public Opinion  How do we form opinions?  Personal Background  The Mass Media  Public Officials  Interest Groups

2. I. How Interest Groups Influence Opinion  A. Interest Groups – individuals who share a point of view about an issue unite to promote their beliefs  1. Work to persuade law makers and public officials to support actions that help their cause  2. Also try to influence public opinion by educating the general public about their views.

3.  3. There are 1000s of IGs working in the US. They can focus on a variety of topics/issues Public InterestEconomic Interests Professional Groups Ideological Groups Single-Issue Education Environment Safety Business Labor Trade Taxes Doctors Lawyers Teachers Policies focused on political or religious beliefs Immigration Drunk Driving

4. Examples of Interest Groups  The National Rifle Association (NRA) – works to preserve law-abiding citizens’ right to buy, have and use firearms for legitimate purposes.  The Brady Campaign – works to prevent gun violence. Responsible for passing the Brady Bill in 1993, which required a 5-day waiting period and background check before someone can buy a handgun

5.  The Sierra Club – largest and most influential environmental organization  Yosemite National Park was created after this group lobbied to Teddy Roosevelt  The AARP – works to improve the quality of life for people age 50 and older and help them with issues they face  Supported the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which protects older Americans from being discriminated against in the work place  The American Medical Association – works to promote the art and science of medicine and to improve public health  Supported a 2009 law that banned tobacco ads within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.

6. B. Strategies to Influence Government  1. Lobbyists – representatives of interest groups who contact lawmakers or other government officials directly  a. their job is to provide information to lawmakers  b. the goal is for the lawmaker to pass a bill that favors their cause

7. 2. Endorsing Candidates  a. During elections some IGs will endorse a candidate.  b. They choose candidate they believe will help their cause  c. The IG encourages its members to vote for that person, donate money to the campaign and run advertisements to persuade others to vote for them

8. 3. Donating to Candidates  a. IGs donate money to political campaigns in exchange for support by the candidate  Can anyone see a potential problem with this?  b. There are strict rules about how IGs may collect and donate money

9.  c. If an IG wants to donate money they must form a PAC (Political Action Committee) – organization set up to collect money for a specific candidate (up to $5000)  1). Because there are so many restrictions on PACs and Private Funding, Congress allows political parties to raise…  2). soft money - unlimited money for general party purposes, cannot go to a particular candidate