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a-level US politics. exam board: Pearson edexcel
What were the McCain-Feingold reforms (2002)?
The McCain-Feingold reforms, officially known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
Banned soft money donations to political parties.
‘Stand by your ad’ required candidates to endorse campaign ads.
$2,000 donation limit for individuals per candidate per election.
Two disadvantages of incumbency.
A bad reputation results in unpopularity amongst voters.
Incumbents can still face challengers in primaries and the general election.
Political Action Committee.
A Political Action Committee/s can raise and spend money in order to elect or defeat election candidates with a donation limit of $5,000 per candidate per election
Three disadvantages of the Primary-Caucus process.
A candidate weaknesses regarding policies can be exposed by fellow party members.
Internal party divides are exposed as factions within a party fight for supremacy of the party.
It rewards party populism as more extreme candidates tend to perform better.
Three advantages of the Primary-Caucus process.
Raises key issues so voters are informed on their candidate’s opinion’s before nomination.
Proven candidates who are electable are nominated as they have won a primary election.
Increased voter choice as voters can decide their candidates so are more likely to vote for them.
Soft Money
Soft money is cash directly contributed to a political party with no limits attached to the amount that can be received.
Hard Money
Hard money is a direct cash contribution to a political candidate by an individual or Political Action Committee (PAC)
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