Interests Groups AP Government Unit 3 Interest Groups Federalist # 10 & 51 (essential readings) What is an interest group? What are some examples of interest groups? What is the difference between an interest group and a political party? Why do individuals join groups? Interest Groups Techniques Resources Use a few ex amples: AARP NAACP Sierra Club AFL-CIO NRA The Gunfight: with Peter Jennings the National Rifle Association Start program at 27 minutes:Y Frontline: Gunned Down - The Power of the NRAned-down/ Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974-Why written? What is it? Written with goal of leveling playing field Created the Federal Election Commission, Full disclosure required Created PACs Limited Hard Money and eliminated soft money No foreign contributions Public financing option Presidential candidates Citizens United v. FEC (2009) Effectively created Super PACs interest groups who receive unlimited donations- can raise and spend as much as they want Super PACs are Corporations that can give large (billion dollar) campaign contributions Super PACs from Stephen Colbertreport-videos/382014/april /colbert- super-pac---trevor-potter Issue Ads a type of independent expenditure Second Amendment Ad (Anti Obama)PM4M Sift Boat Veterans (Anti Kerry)g9yE ( A) Money in Politics hurts the Democratic Process. (B) Money in Politics doesn t hurt the Democratic process, in many ways it helps. ( A) Money in Politics hurts the Democratic Process. (B) Money in Politics doesnt hurt the Democratic process, in many ways it helps. Suggested readings (in addition to core text): The Misplaced Obsession with PACs Larry Sabato Running with the PACs Walter Isaacson The Semisovereign People Schattschneider More than Money Skinner So Damn Much Money Kaiser