GVPT 170 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Political Action Committee, Independent Expenditure, Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Government and Politics
• Course: GVPT 170
• Professor: All

Document Summary

Describes the fact that in modern politics elected politicians are always working to increase the chance of their reelection. There is no down time from campaigning. (but some states have majority voting with runoff elections) If no incumbent, then it"s an open seat race. Two key things politicians are always working on. Key events include: war or military conflicts. Mobilization or get out the vote (gotv) Interactions with opposing candidates (including: whether to debate, whether to focus on policy or personal issues, whether to attack ads. Average cost of congressional races in 2016: U. s. house ,000 u. s. senate million. Total cost of congressional races in 2016: Candidate spending only: u. s. house million u. s. senate: million. Total money spent (including candidates, parties, outside money): . 3 billion. Total spent by all presidential candidates . 5 billion. Total if include parties and outside groups too . 6 billion. The big picture question for campaign finance.