Campaign Fundraising and Super PACs

The Federal Election Commission released campaign fundraising numbers, highlighting the rise of soft money post-Citizens United. Super PACs can raise unlimited funds, with Romney's super PAC leading in donations, largely from Wall Street. Obama's super PAC raised less, as he had no primary challenger. Gingrich's super PAC started late but raised significant funds. Soft money's influence is notable, with few wealthy donors significantly impacting campaigns. Political nonprofits, or 501(c)(4)s, can also raise unlimited funds without disclosing donors. Romney's fundraising outpaced Gingrich, Santorum, and Paul combined.

What was the impact of the Citizens United decision on campaign fundraising?

• It required Super PACs to disclose all donor information.

• It banned Super PACs from participating in elections.

• It allowed Super PACs to raise unlimited funds with few restrictions.

• It limited the amount of money Super PACs could raise.

Which Super PAC raised the most money in the last quarter of 2011?

• American Crossroads

• Priorities USA Action

• Winning Our Future

• Restore Our Future

Who was a notable donor to Romney's Super PAC?

• Harold Simmons

• Jeffrey Katzenberg

• George Soros

• Bill Merriam

Why did Obama's Super PAC raise less money compared to Romney's?

• Obama's Super PAC was not active.

• Obama's Super PAC was banned from fundraising.

• Obama had a primary challenger.

• Obama's Super PAC was not spending as much.

Who contributed a two-million-dollar check to Obama's Super PAC?

• Bill Merriam

• Harold Simmons

• Mitt Romney

• Jeffrey Katzenberg

What was the significant contribution to Gingrich's Super PAC?

• A $2 million check from Mitt Romney

• A $1 million check from Jeffrey Katzenberg

• A $500,000 check from Harold Simmons

• A $500,000 check from Bill Merriam

What is a key characteristic of 501(c)(4) organizations?

• They must disclose all donor information.

• They can raise unlimited funds without disclosing donors.

• They are banned from political fundraising.

• They can only raise limited funds.

What is the role of soft money in elections according to Bill Allison?

• It is strictly regulated by the Federal Election Commission.

• It allows a few wealthy donors to significantly influence campaigns.

• It has no impact on elections.

• It is only used by nonprofit organizations.

How did Romney's fundraising compare to other Republican candidates by the end of 2011?

• He raised less than Newt Gingrich.

• He raised more than Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul combined.

• He raised the same amount as Rick Santorum.

• He raised less than Ron Paul.

What is the main advantage of political nonprofits over Super PACs?

• They can raise limited funds.

• They must disclose donor information.

• They can raise unlimited funds without disclosing donors.

• They are banned from supporting candidates.