1. Learning Institute for Elders Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D. Professor of Political Science, UCF August 28, 2012

3. ◦ 2002: Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold) ◦ Eliminated unregulated (soft) money  Soft money is given to political parties and other groups for purposes other than campaigning  “Get Out The Vote” (GOTV)  Issue advocacy

4.  BCRA also limits:  Independent issue advocacy advertising  Issue advocacy advertising paid for by a corporation (including non-profit corporations) or by an unincorporated entity using corporate or union funds.

5.  Requires disclosure YES  Limits individual contributions YES  Allows issue advocacy ads NO  Eliminated soft money YES  Eliminated hard money NO  Limits overall spending by interest groups NO  Contributed to significant increase in 527s YES

6.  The U.S. Supreme Court has evaluated BCRA three times since BCRA was passed

9.  This is the first presidential election since “Citizens United”  The monies raised have been significant  Analysts have expressed concern that the amount of money will shape the election