Assignment task: Please answer the following discussion question and provide references (Cite) as well:
Practical Dilemmas:
How about a Google search? Research how much one of your state politicians receives in donations? What type of groups donated? Include your sources.
Discussion Respond:
Please give appropriate response to the following discussion and give REFERENCE.
Hello Everyone,
Money plays a significant role in elections today, influencing various aspects of the electoral process. Here are some key roles that money plays in elections, along with examples:
Campaign Financing: Money is essential for funding election campaigns, including those of candidates running for various offices, from local to national levels. Candidates need funds for advertising, travel, staff salaries, and other campaign-related expenses. For example, in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, both major candidates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, raised and spent hundreds of millions of dollars on their campaigns.
Campaign Financing: For personnel, travel, and event planning, as well as other campaign expenses, candidates need a sizable budget. The 2020 U.S. presidential election, for instance, was the most costly in history, with total spending reaching $14 billion, according to OpenSecrets.org.
Advertising: Candidates can use the money to purchase advertising space on radio, television, and online channels in order to reach a large audience. A good example is the Bloomberg campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination; according to The New York Times, Michael Bloomberg spent more than $500 million on advertising.
Influence of Super PACs: The amount of money that Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs can spend in support of or against political politicians is limitless. Super PACs like "Restore Our Future" and "Priorities USA Action" supported Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, respectively, in the 2012 U.S. presidential election, significantly influencing public opinion.
Grassroots Fundraising: On the other end of the scale, grassroots fundraising-which involves collecting little sums from lots of people-has also demonstrated its potential. According to Politico, Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign was renowned for its emphasis on modest individual contributions, raising $96 million from grassroots supporters in 2019.
References:
OpenSecrets, "The cost of the 2020 election was $14 billion" (2020).
The New York Times, "How Much Did Michael Bloomberg Spend on His Presidential Campaign?" (2020).
Politico, "Bernie Sanders campaign announces it raised $96 million in 2019" (2020).
The Guardian, "California's Prop 22 passes, allowing Uber and Lyft drivers to remain as contractors" (2020).