Political Participation (Voting, Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, Media) Vocabulary List Part 2

AP GOV Unit 5

Agenda Setting

The media’s ability to highlight certain issues and bring them to the attention of the public.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

To address soft money and issue advocacy—cannot solicit soft money contributions.  No issue advocacy ads 60 days before a general election, 30 days before a primary election or caucus. BiCRA

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select delegates that will back a particular primary candidate

Citizens United V Federal Election Commission (2010)

Ruled that political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of speech protected under the First Amendment.

Closed Primary

Elections in which only registered party members can vote. Only registered party members can vote

Direct Primary

Elections that take place January to June of an election year for the purpose of selecting each party’s candidate for the general election. Democratic - Directly choose who to select

Electoral College

The group of 538 individuals who ultimately elect the President and Vice President of the United States every four years. After general election

Federal Election Campaign Act

o regulate the raising and spending of money in US federal elections by imposing restrictions on the amounts of money that could lawfully be made to federal candidates, and parties, and mandated disclosure of names of individuals and political organizations contributing to their campaign and the amounts.  Also, to disclose how the money received was spent (expenditures).  Banned corporate and union contributions. FECA

Federal Election Commission

Enforces election laws and monitors campaign activity.

Framing

The process by which a news organization defines a political issue and consequently affects opinion about the issue. Package issue to perceive issue in a specific way

Gatekeeper

The role of the media that can influence what subjects become national political issues and for how long. Decides what become news and what doesn’t; Type of Agenda Setting

General Election

Election held to determine which candidate will hold public office. Between parties

Grassroots Appeal (Bringing Grassroots to Bear)

A tactic of influencing government officials that utilizes large groups of members of the public to make phone calls, send letters, sign petitions, etc., to contact their legislators. Interest groups use “the people” to contact legislators to address issues

Hard Money

Funding given directly to a candidate for their campaign. FECA

Horse-Race Journalism

News coverage that focuses on who is ahead in the polls rather than the issues.

Ideological Interest Group

Political organizations that appeal to members based on a coherent set of political convictions or interests. Care about a lot of things; multiple interests

Incumbency Advantage

The benefit a current office holder has going into an election, due to factors such as name recognition and credit claiming.

Independent Expenditures

Spending for campaign activity that is not coordinated with a candidate’s campaign. Soft Money

Interest Group

An organization of people sharing a common concern or goal that seeks to influence public policy.

Lobbyist/Lobbying

Individuals who provide information and pressure legislators to pass laws that align with a particular agenda.

Mass Media

Popular means of communication that is used to reach a wide audience, such as television, radio, and the internet.

Media Effects

The power of the news media in shaping individuals’ political knowledge, preferences, and political behavior. Tactics of news media; (Agenda setting, framing, & gatekeeping)

Mid-Term (Off-Year) Election

Elections that take place every other year during which there is no presidential contest.

Open Primary

Election in which registered voters (party and nonparty members) can vote to select a presidential candidate. Registered to all voters to pick

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money. From group members themselves; Hard Money

Public Funds

Donations from general tax revenues to the campaigns of qualifying presidential candidates. ($3 Single, $6 Joint) FECA

Single Issue Interest Group

Association focusing on one specific area of public policy, often a moral issue about which they are unwilling to compromise.

Soft Money

Funding given to political parties for party activities, as opposed to funding given directly to a specific candidate. Indirectly helps people winS

Sound Bite

A short radio or video clip lasting approximately 8-10 seconds. Can be taken out of context

Super PAC’s

Citizen’s United v. FEC paved the way for these organizations, which are allowed to raise and spend an unlimited amount of funds as long as they do not coordinate directly with candidates. A bunch of people with a common goal; Money Spent is called independent expenditures