Political Campaigns: Crash Course Government and Politics

What is the main purpose of political campaigns?

• To raise money for the candidates

• To provide voters with information to choose a candidate

• To create awareness about social issues

• To promote the political parties

What is a campaign in the context of American politics?

• A series of debates between candidates

• An organized drive on the part of a candidate to get elected to an office

• A public protest against government policies

• A fundraising event for political parties

What is the main stage for political campaigns to present information about themselves and their policies?

• Press releases

• Stump speeches

• Direct mail

• Social media platforms

What is the reason for political campaigns being expensive?

• The need for expensive TV advertisements

• The expectation for personal interaction with voters

• The cost of organizing campaign events

• The requirement to reach a large number of voters

What was the total amount spent on the 2012 presidential election by both candidates?

• $2 billion

• $4 billion

• $6 billion

• $8 billion

What is the main concern regarding campaign contributions and their potential influence on the political process?

• They limit a person's political speech

• They are considered as bribes

• They give the appearance of impropriety

• They directly influence a congressman's vote

What is the main argument for limits on campaign contributions?

• It makes politicians spend more time legislating

• It forces candidates to reach out to larger numbers of constituents

• It allows very rich people to have a lot of influence on elections

• It limits a person's ability to register their preference of a candidate

What was the Supreme Court case that reaffirmed the idea that money is the equivalent of speech and struck down many limitations on campaign donations?

• Buckley V Valleo

• McCain-Feingold Campaign Law

• Federal Election Campaign act of 1971

• Citizens United Vs. the Federal Election Commission

What are Super PACs allowed to do in the context of American political campaigns?

• Raise money only from individual donors

• Focus on issue advocacy without any spending limits

• Directly contribute to a candidate or coordinate with a campaign

• Raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote a candidate

What was the total amount spent on house and senate races in 2012?

• $1.8 billion

• $2.4 billion

• $3.6 billion

• $3 billion