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I've been trying to learn more about politics (and other things I probably should have learned in high school) recently, and I'm pretty confused by the campaign finance laws here in the US. Specifically, I don't think I really get some of the finer points of PACS and campaign donations. 1. I think I understand that there are solid caps on how much hard money can be given to a single candidate.(That's right, isn't it?) Are there similar specific caps on how much a PAC or Super PAC can donate to a party? 2. I was under the impression that 527 groups can't specifically endorse any candidate. It seems like that would really lessen the effectiveness of PACS and Super PACS. I know that they can run ads that are pretty clearly against a particular candidate, but are PACS and Super-PACS actually banned from doing anything that specifically endorses a candidate? 3. I understand why the Citizens United decision was a big deal, but why don't we ever hear anything about Speechnow.org v. FEC? It seems like the decision stating that PACS can accept unlimited contributions for making "independent expenditures" is equally or even more important than deciding that corporations and unions can donate to PACs straight out of their treasuries. Am I way off base there? 4. Is it true that the FEC is made up of three Republicans and three Democrats? If so, doesn't this make it basically impossible for the organization to do its job? Wouldn't almost all votes end in a 3-3 tie?
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Feb 6, 2016 21:06
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Junior G-man posted:These being also can't and won't coordinate with the official candidate's campaign. No, not at all, nuh-uh. Yeah, it kind of blew my mind that literally being business partners with someone running a PAC doesn't count as coordination. Also, I was obviously pretty wrong about the whole "PACS can't endorse candidates" thing. Isn't there some other kind of organization that can run ads conveniently trashing the other candidate in a two-person race but can't endorse anyone?
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Feb 6, 2016 23:41
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But aren't PACS a type of 527?
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Feb 7, 2016 01:15
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