Electoral Process - Media and Campaign Finance

Question 1

Nixon v Kennedy 1960

Answer 1

Nixon looked pale, drawn, unshaven and ill
Kennedy appeared relaxed, healthy, tanned and youthful
Had a profound effect on some viewers, such visual impressions may be misleading and focus on image rather than substance

Question 2

Gore v Bush jr 2000

Answer 2

Reading off prepared statements only some discussion of policy issues post-Mortems on the debate focussed on how the personalities of the candidates came across.

Bush jr - more warmth and humility than gore

Gore - exaggerated

Question 3

Obama v Romney 2012

Answer 3

Obama - unexpectedly performed badly, looking dis-interested

Romney - came out of the traps aggressively with coherent arguments. Winner of the 1st debate in polls

Romney had already taken part in 19 debates whereas Obama’s last debate was 4 years earlier

Romney made verbal gaffes - “whole binders full of women “

Obama came back with clever sound bites such as “ yes we can”

Question 4

Criticisms of the media - packaging of candidates

Answer 4

Eg Reagan who had problems understanding complex issues but radiated warmth, sincerity and talked about family values and was seen as a ‘great communicator’

Question 5

Criticisms of the media - focus on drama

Answer 5

tv and also print media seem to focus heavily on the drama of the race rather than issues and policy

1980- Washington Journalism Review found that although print media had a better coverage it still focussed on forecasting and shallow characterisation of candidates.

Question 6

Criticism of the media - negative advertising

Answer 6

Has become a hallmark of campaign ads
McCains campaign focussed at one point on ‘obama the celebrity’ likening him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton some saw this as a sign of desperation
A rise of super PACs after the citizens united case was very controversial
Romney on the day of the Iowa caucus released an ad attacking Obama’s economic record and in mah released Dia Uno a campaign ad in Hispanic to try and attract the group of voters.

Question 7

Criticism of the media - interest groups are allowed to spend

Answer 7

NRA spend millions each election attacking the Democrat candidate and in 2008 spent $200m + for the republican cause
Advocacy groups spent widely on the presidential and congressional elections

BCRA - does not allow these groups to tell people how to vote but will try to shape the views of voters over certain issues

Super PACs are unrestricted in their spending which has led to controversial ads attempting to be released from different groups

Question 8

Criticism of the media - the cost favours wealthy candidates

Answer 8

Favours front runner candidates therefore distorting the democratic process
Obama refused public money for the election in 2008 which would have limited his spending
Obama paid $3m for a 30 minute infomercial slot on prime time tv a week before the election

Question 9

However the media can be defended - methods of candidate

Answer 9

It is the method and style of the candidates that are to blame for emphasising personality with sound bites and the avoidance of issues

Question 10

However the media can be defended - images are meaningful

Answer 10

Eg Kennedy looked more youthful and people voted for change which happened with the election of obama in 2008

Question 11

However the media can be defended - issues are dealt with

Answer 11

Economy and healthcare in 2008 dominated the campaigns

Economy dominates year after year

Question 12

However the media can be defended - negative ads exaggerated

Answer 12

Negative ads and interest group ads effects can be exaggerated Clinton attack ads by the NRA did not hurt him and he went on to win the presidency

Question 13

However the media can be defended - ads can be informative

Answer 13

Eg in Obama’s ‘plan for change’ ad he talked of tax breaks, regulation of wall st, environmental policy and energy policy

Question 14

FECA 1974

Answer 14

Introduced after the Nixon administration
Restricted individual donations to $1000 and PAC donations to $5000
Introduced complete public funding for the 2 main parties
Matching funds for candidates up to $250 donations
FEC to enforce and regulate the act

Question 15

Buckley v Valeo (1976)

Answer 15

If a candidate does not take public money then they can not be restricted by spending limits 
Used under the 1st amendment 
1979 congress passed laws allowing parties to raise money for ; voter registration, party building and getting the vote out 
Created loopholes (soft money) weakening FECA

Question 16

PACs

Answer 16

Contributed to campaign finance abuse
Large list of members who are encouraged to donate up to the individual limit
Buying influence
A restrictive tobacco bill proposed by John McCain fell in the senate
Senators who received donations from tobacco industries opposed the bill

Question 17

Hard money

Answer 17

Donations restricted by law
The FEC made it clear that on ‘Party building ‘ were not restricted by FECA
Any ad that did not explicitly call for a vote for a certain candidate did not have to be paid for with hard money
Loophole
‘Sham issue ads’

Question 18

BCRA - 2002

Answer 18

Banned national party committees from raising or spending soft money
Corporations and interest groups must use PACs to raise money for TV ads
Could not mention candidates by name in ads up to 60days before a federal election
Attempt to get rid of negative ads
Candidates had to condone ads with ‘I am … and I approve of this message ‘
All party activities had to paid for with hard money

Question 19

McConnell v FEC

Answer 19

Critics argued BCRA restricted freedom of speech
5-4 majority to uphold all provisions
Surprising due to Buckley v Valeo

Question 20

Citizens United v FEC

Answer 20

Corporate funding of independent broadcasts cannot be restricted under the first amendment
Led to formation of super PACs who were big players in the 2012 election
Super PACs - accept unlimited donations , cannot donate to candidates, parties or other PACs , cannot co-ordinate directly with the candidate but openly through the media , Restore Our Future spent $250m to help defeat Obama

Question 21

Bundling

Answer 21

Centre for Responsive Politics stated that bundling undermines the BCRA
Bundles - well connected business people and lobbyists who package individual donations on behalf of candidates , it is legal
In 2000 and 2004 Bush had a hierarchy of bundlers ; Bush pioneers ($100,000+) , Bush Rangers ($200,000) , Bush Super Rangers ($300,000)