Interest Groups

Soft money

Money is donated to a party for a party building. There is no limit on how much you can give, but donors are disclosed.

Score cards

Many interest groups will keep ___ on members of Congress to write how they vote on different issues

Microtargeting

The use of ads by parties and interest groups aimed at a small group of voters, for example, a pro gun ad on social media to likers of the NRA or republican party

Phone

Many grassroots interest groups will tell their members to pick up the____ and tell Congress how to vote on certain issues this is a form of mass mobilization grass roots lobbying

Dark money

Money spent by groups such as 527/501c groups or super pacs that do not have to disclose their sources (unlike campaigns) to the FEC. citizens united 2010 allowed for these groups to spend limitless amount on political advertising

NAACP

Grass roots interest group - brought Brown v. Board of education lawsuit.

Pluralism

Theory that policy making is the result of competition amongst different groups (e.g. AARP versus business interest versus constituents.) compromise as necessary and no no one group is a decisive winner.

Unions

Any organization of workers that collectively bargain. Tend to support Democrats with campaign contributions and grassroots lobbying

Trade

Economic interest groups that represent an entire industry. e.g. Bankers, soybean, farmers or oil producers are the ____ Associations

Lobby

Verb for “ persuasion” - used by some people employed by interest groups

Earmark

A part of a budget bill that interest groups lobby for. It is specifically geared for a pet project in a members district/state. This is also called pork barrel spending.

Medicare

Thanks to the AARP and the fact that senior citizens vote like crazy Social Security and ____ are not going to cut anytime soon

Staff

Interest groups, often higher lobbyist, who have worked as ____ members for Senators or other politicians that’s how you can become a lobbyist!

K street

The downtown Washington DC Street where many lobbyist and lawyers have offices

NRA

Powerful grass roots pro gun interest group

AMA

American medical Association - It’s purpose is to advance the interests of physicians (eg to Limit malpractice lawsuits) Done largely through campaign contributions

Litigation

Fancy term for bringing a lawsuit (eg Brown v. Board of Education) - a tactic of interest groups, especially the NRA, NOW, and NAACP

Faction

What James Madison in federalist number 10 would have called an interest group. By the way, you cannot eliminate them only lesson their negative impacts with a large republic.

PAC

Branch of an interest group that raises funds and donates to election campaigns

Iron

An informal association of federal agency congressional committee and interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making is known as ____ triangle

Protest

A tactic used by black lives matter, PETA, and abortion groups

Hard money

Money given directly to the candidates campaign. You are limited in how much you can give and donors have to be disclosed to the FEC.

Canada

The AMA is weary of universal healthcare because they are afraid that the government will set prices/profits for them. Therefore, they oppose a (blank)-style health program

Grassroots

Any lobby being done by common folks, such as NRA or AARP members writing letters to their senator about a particular issue

Lobbyist

Hired by interest groups to supply persuasive info legislators

Parties

Summer argued, the growth of interest groups has led to the decline of political _____

Limits

When a PAC or individual donates to politicians campaign there are (blanks) - that is why SuperPacs are so much fun

AARP

Acronym - Largest membership (Perhaps Most powerful) Interest group. Hey Congress - Do not even think about cutting Social Security or Medicare