Chapter 14 Study Guide

Question 1

Bush vs. Gore (2000)

Answer 1

Used the 14th amendment equal protection clause to stop Florida recount in 2000 election-> Bush won

Question 2

Swing States

Answer 2

A state that doesn’t consistently vote democrat or republican in presidential elections

Question 3

McCain-Feingold Bill (BCRA)

Answer 3

Regulates all political money; increase individual donation limit to $2000; ban soft money

Question 4

Contrast Ads

Answer 4

A form of paid media that compares the candidates record and proposals with a bias towards the sponsor

Question 5

Direct Mail

Answer 5

Mail from an interest group whose purpose is both to raise money and mobilize supporters

Question 6

Issue Ads

Answer 6

Ads that influence a single issue and are used in campaigns

Question 7

Federal Election Campaign Act

Answer 7

Created the Federal Election Commission and provided government funding for elections

Question 8

Buckley vs. Valeo (1976)

Answer 8

Said an individual donation limit was constitutional because a fair election is deemed more important than limitless donations

Question 9

Campaign Consultants

Answer 9

Individual who sells a candidate technologies, services, and ads to help get the candidate elected

Question 10

Hard Money

Answer 10

Legally specified and limited contributions given to a party or candidate in which the amount is fully disclosed

Question 11

Matching Funds

Answer 11

Federal government donations that they match when the candidate raises $250

Question 12

Negative Ads

Answer 12

Form of paid media that attacks an opponent’s character or political platform

Question 13

Spot Ads

Answer 13

Commercial promoting a candidate

Question 14

Platform

Answer 14

Political party or candidate’s statement of their goals and polices for the next four years

Question 15

Individual Contributions

Answer 15

Money spent by individuals or groups not associated with candidates to elect or defeat candidates for office

Question 16

Soft Money

Answer 16

Unregulated money from individuals that a voter can spend indirectly on a candidate’s campaign

Question 17

Federal Election Commission

Answer 17

Administers campaign finance laws; created under the Federal Election Campaign Act

Question 18

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Answer 18

Federally mandated groups with a common interest to raise money and get a candidate elected

Question 19

War Chest

Answer 19

Funds collected by a candidate to spend on a political campaign

Question 20

Citizens United vs. FEC (2010)

Answer 20

Case struck down limit on corporate donations and brought back the use of soft money-> Super PAC’s, 527’s

Question 21

McCutcheon vs. FEC (2014)

Answer 21

Struck down limits on how much individuals could donate to candidates under the First Amendment freedom of speech

Question 22

Positive Ads

Answer 22

A form of paid media that stresses the candidates qualifications, family, and issue positions, without reference to the opponent

Question 23

Campaign Finance Reform

Answer 23

FECA and BCRA are two most influential campaign finance reform acts, both of which regulate political money and set limits to donations