Interest Groups, Lobbying, and PACs

A person who seeks to influence or persuade politicians to vote a certain way.

• Senator

• Representative

• Lobbyist

• Candidate

The high cost of political campaigns encourage the use of special interest groups to secure ____________ for the campaign.

• candidates

• commercials

• platforms

• funding

How do interest groups influence public policy?

• identifying issues

• making political contributions

• expressing opinions (letters, email, demonstrations)

• All of the above

"An organization of people with common goals, that seeks to influence government policies in their favor."

• Interest groups

• Lobbyists

• Media

• Political parties

The main purpose of a Political Action Committee (PAC) is to--

• Develop a party platform for the candidate's party

• Raise money for candidates who support the same views

• Publicize a presidential candidate's ideas through the use of media

• See that money is distributed equally among presidential candidates

"Direct contact made by someone hired to persuade government officials to support the policies their interest group or corporation favors is the job of a . . ."

• Politician

• Lobbyist

• Researcher

• Reporter

What is an important difference between interest groups and political parties?

• Interest groups have more members than political parties.

• Interest groups have platforms addressing all issues of public concern.

• Interest groups are organized to elect their candidates to political office.

• Interest groups attempt to influence government directly on particular issues.

Sarah felt very strongly about an issue in the news.  She wrote to her representative in Congress and expressed her feelings on the issue.  Then she wrote a short editorial for the local newspaper and sent it off.  Which statement describes Sarah's activities? 

• She was acting as a lobbyist.

• She was forming her own political party.

• She was starting her own special interest group.

• She was participating directly in government. 

Which best describes the main objective of a lobbyist?

• To raise campaign funds for political parties.

• To influence public decision-making for the common good.

• to influence state legislators or members of congress on issues

• to advise political candidates on how to manager their election campaigns

an organization that raises and distributes funds to candidates running for office

• Political party

• Interest group

• platform

• political action committees (PACs)