Interest Groups in American Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneering / Edition 2

by Mark J. Rozell, Clyde Wilcox, David Madland

Overview

As witnessed in the 2004 elections, Americans feel the influence of interest groups today more than ever before. In races for the presidency, Congress, state legislatures, and even local school boards, interest groups help—in both major and minor ways—elect (or reelect) candidates who support their views. Interest Groups in American Campaigns is the only book to focus specifically on the role of interest groups in elections. Rozell, Wilcox, and Madland show that communication channels—from monetary donations to candidates and web pages for citizens—are the bedrock of interest group leverage on political parties, individual candidates, and voters.

This second edition goes well beyond a straightforward update and spotlights the major changes in the way interest groups are now active in modern campaigns. Continuing the tradition of the first edition, the authors draw on interviews with interest group leaders, coverage of campaign finance filings, and election surveys in their extensive analysis.

In addition to current data and updated examples and cases throughout the book, new coverage includes:

• the effects of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the first finance reform package in a generation
• the rise of 527s in campaign advertising in light of campaign finance reform restrictions
• the successes and failures of George W. Bush and John Kerry to woo powerful interest groups

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781933116242
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/08/2005
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.70(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mark J. Rozell is professor of public policy and director of the Master of Public Policy program at George Mason University. He is the author of nine books, including, most recently, Power and Prudence: The Presidency of George H.W. Bush (with Ryan Barilleaux) and Executive Privilege: Presidential Power, Secrecy, and Accountability, 2nd Edition, Revised.

Clyde Wilcox is a professor of government at Georgetown University. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Serious Money: Fundraising and Contributing in Presidential Nomination Campaigns (1995), Onward Christian Soldiers: The Christian Right in American Politics (1996), and Interest Groups in American Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneering (1999). His edited books include Women in Elected Office: Past, Present, and Future (1998), The Politics of Gay Rights (2000), and Understanding Public Opinion, 2nd ed. (2002).

David Madland is a doctoral student in political science at Georgetown University. He has wide-ranging, firsthand experience with a number of interest groups. He has worked as an aide to a member of Congress, been employed by several interest groups, and runs his own political consulting firm.

Table of Contents

Chapters 2-5 end with a Summary.PrefaceChapter 1. Introduction: Interest Groups and American PoliticsA Brief History of Interest Groups in ElectionsDiverse Groups, Diverse GoalsThe One, the Few, or the Many? Interest Groups and American PoliticsInterest Groups and the American Political System, Characteristics of American Government, Characteristics of American Parties, Characteristics of American ElectionsRegulations, Goals, and ResourcesStrategies and TacticsHow this Book is OrganizedChapter 2. Interest Groups and Political PartiesThe Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and ResourcesRecruiting and Training Candidates, Approaches to Recruitment, Training MethodsThe Presidential Nomination Process, Delegate Selection, The National Conventions, Influencing Party PlatformsState Party ConventionsFinancing Convention ActivitiesChapter 3. Interest Groups and CandidatesThe Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources, The Evolution of Campaign Finance Regulation, Goals and ResourcesPACs: An Overview, Who Forms PACs and Why, PAC ResourcesPAC Contribution Strategies, Influences on Strategic Selection, Influences on PAC Decision MakingGiving Beyond the Limit, Bundling and Coordinated Contributing, Giving to Affiliated Organizations, Contributions to Parties, Contributions of Goods and ServicesChapter 4. Interest Groups and VotersThe Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and ResourcesEndorsements, The Endorsement Decision, Contested Endorsements, Endorsements and Voting DecisionsHit ListsRatings, Scorecards, and Voters' GuidesVoter Mobilization, Independent Expenditures s, Issue Advocacy and Electioneering Communications, The 2010 Elections in ContextReferenda and InitiativesChapter 5. Evaluating the Role of Interest Groups in ElectionsPositive and Negative Aspects of Interest Group Involvement, Interest Groups and Political Parties, Interest Groups and Candidates, Interest Groups and VotersReforming the System, Interest Groups and Parties, Interest Groups, Candidates, and VotersDirections for Campaign Finance Reform, Underlying Assumptions, Goals of ReformSummaryKeywords, phrases, and conceptsReferencesIndex

Editorial Reviews

"I wouldn't think of teaching my interest group course without Interest Groups in American Campaigns."—Kevin W. Hula, Loyola College in Maryland

"If you want students to understand why interest groups matter outside of lobbying the legislature, have them read this book."—John M. Bruce, University of Mississippi

"This is an indispensable resource for scholars and students of American democracy."—Paul Freedman, University of Virginia

From the Publisher