Interest Groups in American Campaigns The New Face of Electioneering

by Rozell, Mark J.; Wilcox, Clyde; Franz, Michael M.

• ISBN13: 9780199829798
• ISBN10: 0199829799
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-12-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

In today's era of greatly divisive partisanship in Washington, interest groups have become increasingly powerful forces in U.S. politics. In races for the presidency, Congress, and state legislatures, these groups often help to elect--or reelect--candidates who support their causes and views. Now in its third edition,Interest Groups in American Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneeringfocuses on the key role that interest groups play in U.S. elections. Authors Mark J. Rozell, Clyde Wilcox, and Michael M. Franz present an extensive analysis based on interviews with interest group leaders, campaign finance filings, and election surveys. Opening with an introduction to the nature of our federal election system, they then examine how interest groups ally themselves with political parties and influence candidate nominations and party platforms. The authors also describe how interest groups interact with political candidates--by contributing money, goods, and services to campaigns--and with their own members and the broader electorate--through social networking, Tweeting, Internet advertising, television ads, direct mail, and phone calls. Throughout the book, diverse and compelling examples clearly illustrate how interest groups operate in the real world. Revised and updated, the third edition ofInterest Groups in American Campaignsdelves into the 2010 election campaign; recent reforms and campaign finance laws that have substantially changed the roles played by interest groups; and how these recent changes will affect the 2012 races for federal offices.

Author Biography

Mark J. Rozell is Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University. Clyde Wilcox is Professor of Government at Georgetown University. Michael M. Franz is Associate Professor of Government at Bowdoin College.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction: Interest Groups and American Politics	p. 01
A Brief History of Interest Groups in Elections	p. 04
Diverse Groups, Diverse Goals	p. 06
The One, the Few, or the Many? Interest Groups and American Politics	p. 11
Interest Groups and the American Political System	p. 13
Characteristics of American Government	p. 13
Characteristics of American Parties	p. 15
Characteristics of American Elections	p. 17
Regulations, Goals, and Resources	p. 19
Strategies and Tactics	p. 23
How this Book is Organized	p. 25
Interest Groups and Political Parties	p. 27
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources	p. 29
Recruiting and Training Candidates	p. 33
Approaches to Recruitment	p. 33
Training Methods	p. 36
The Presidential Nomination Process	p. 39
Delegate Selection	p. 43
The National Conventions	p. 44
Influencing Party Platforms	p. 46
State Party Conventions	p. 48
Financing Convention Activities	p. 52
Summary	p. 56
Interest Groups and Candidates	p. 59
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources	p. 60
The Evolution of Campaign Finance Regulation	p. 60
Goals and Resources	p. 64
PACs: An Overview	p. 64
Who Forms PACs and Why	p. 68
PAC Resources	p. 69
PAC Contribution Strategies	p. 71
Influences on Strategic Selection	p. 78
Influences on PAC Decision Making	p. 83
Giving Beyond the Limit	p. 86
Bundling and Coordinated Contributing	p. 86
Giving to Affiliated Organizations	p. 89
Contributions to Parties	p. 91
Contributions of Goods and Services	p. 93
Summary	p. 94
Interest Groups and Voters	p. 97
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources	p. 98
Endorsements	p. 105
The Endorsement Decision	p. 106
Contested Endorsements	p. 107
Endorsements and Voting Decisions	p. 109
Hit Lists	p. 112
Ratings, Scorecards, and Voters Guides	p. 113
Voter Mobilization	p. 117
Candidate Advocacy Efforts	p. 122
Independent Expenditures	p. 122
Issue Advocacy and Electioneering Communications	p. 125
The 2010 Elections in Context	p. 130
Referenda and Initiatives	p. 132
Summary	p. 134
Evaluating the Role of Interest Groups in Elections	p. 137
Positive and Negative Aspects of Interest Group Involvement	p. 137
Interest Groups and Political Parties	p. 138
Interest Groups and Candidates	p. 144
Interest Groups and Voters	p. 149
Reforming the System	p. 151
Interest Groups and Parties	p. 152
Interest Groups, Candidates, and Voters	p. 155
Directions for Campaign Finance Reform	p. 160
Underlying Assumptions	p. 160
Goals of Reform	p. 161
Summary	p. 164
Keywords, Phrases, and Concepts	p. 166
References	p. 170
Index	p. 178
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