Political Campaigns, News Media, and Interest Groups

Directions: Select a recent candidate or officeholder at the federal level that you considered supporting with your vote. Note: You have been assigned Charles Schumer. Analyze this person based on the following criteria: Election and Campaign Financing How much money did the person raise and spend during the election campaign? Donations from individuals? Donations from political parties? Donations from Political Action Committees (PACs)? How much – in total – did all the contributing PACs spend during the election campaign on your person? Select two PACs that contributed to the person’s campaign. Provide a brief summary of the political action committee. Analyze the purpose of this political action committee. Does this PAC help or hinder our democracy? Self-financed? What does an analysis of the person’s campaign finances tell you? Campaign Advertising Select one political advertisement from the person’s election campaign. Summarize the advertisement. What was the message? What is the target audience? Was this advertisement effective? Include an APA link to the advertisement or embed the advertisement into the discussion post. The News Media Select one news article, video, or political cartoon about your person’s election campaign. Analyze how the news media sets the agenda and frames the news story regarding your person’s candidacy or current, public service. Articulate, in detail, how this news story helps or hinders your person’s electability. Include an APA link to the news media article, video, or political cartoon. References: Boundless. (n.d.). Boundless Political Science. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-politicalscience/chapter/types-of-interest-groups Data on Campaign Finance, Super PACs, Industries, and Lobbying. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.opensecrets.org/. OConnor, K., & Sabato, L. (2018). American Government: Roots and reform. Columbus: Pearson. What is a PAC? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacfaq.php.