GLOSSARY: Before reading the history of campaign finance reform in the United States it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the following terms
CONTRIBUTION: money given directly to a federal candidate or party to use at their own discretion [1]
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES: the direct costs of campaigning, such as spending on promotional merchandise (signs and buttons), rallies, polling, and hiring political consultants as long as they are not connected with fundraising [2]
INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES: money spent on activities that expressly supports or opposes the election or defeat of a candidate but cannot be made at request of the candidate or party [1]
ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS: broadcast advertising (TV ads) that do not directly endorse a candidate within 30 days of primary and convention or 60 days before general election, if not during these times then they are just general issue ads and do not have to be disclosed [1]
SOFT MONEY- donations made to avoid federal regulations which a person donates to party organization (such as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) or the Republican National Committee (GOP). These organizations were supposed to use this money for political party building activities such as get out the vote, but ultimately poor regulation led to this money being used for “issue ads”[3]
HARD MONEY- contributions to candidates
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)- a regulated organization by the FEC that raises money from individuals and other PACs and can make limited, direct contributions to political parties as well as candidates [1]
Sources:
[1] “Federal Election Commission Campaign Guide.” FEC.gov. Federal Election Commission, Aug. 2011. Web. <http://www.fec.gov/pdf/candgui.pdf>.
[2] “How OpenSecrets.org Classifies Campaign Expenditures.” Opensecrets.org. Center For Responsive Politics. Web. 4 Nov. 2013. <http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/include/expdefs_pop.php>.
[3] “Soft Money – A Look at the Loopholes.” Washington Post. Digital Ink Company. Web. 4 Nov. 2013.<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/national/longterm/campfin/intro4.htm>.
Campaign Finance Reform 