Review Part 14

Special Interest Groups;Special Interest Groups;

Lobbyists and PACsLobbyists and PACs

1) All the following statements concerning interest groups are true EXCEPT that they

a. Are policy experts

b. Attempt to appeal to a broad spectrum of political interests

c. Often run their own candidates for public office

d. Lobby different levels of government

e. Have specific policy goals

1) All the following statements concerning interest groups are true EXCEPT that they

a. Are policy experts

b. Attempt to appeal to a broad spectrum of political interests

c. Often run their own candidates for public office

d. Lobby different levels of government

e. Have specific policy goals

2) Special interest groups do all of the following EXCEPT

a. Testify at congressional hearings

b. Donate money to federal judges

c. Endorse candidates for pubic office

d. Try to influence the media

e. Work on the campaigns of candidates

2) Special interest groups do all of the following EXCEPT

a. Testify at congressional hearings

b. Donate money to federal judges

c. Endorse candidates for pubic office

d. Try to influence the media

e. Work on the campaigns of candidates

3) All the following arguments are essential to the special interest theory of politics EXCEPT

a. Interest groups compete with each other

b. Interest groups provide linkage between people and government

c. One or two interest groups may dominate the debate over legislation

d. Interest groups encourage membership from diverse groups that may disagree with their goals

e. Interest groups have been protected by Supreme Court decisions

3) All the following arguments are essential to the special interest theory of politics EXCEPT

a. Interest groups compete with each other

b. Interest groups provide linkage between people and government

c. One or two interest groups may dominate the debate over legislation

d. Interest groups encourage membership from diverse groups that may disagree with their goals

e. Interest groups have been protected by Supreme Court decisions

4) Which of the following represent a major reason for the proliferation of special interests and lobby groups?

a. The reactive nature of interest groups and lobbyists to new issues

b. The increase in donations received by interest groups from their membership

c. The trust citizens have in the legislative process

d. The ability of lobbyists and special interest groups to get members from their own group to run for political office

e. The increasing demand for campaign reform

4) Which of the following represent a major reason for the proliferation of special interests and lobby groups?

a. The reactive nature of interest groups and lobbyists to new issues

b. The increase in donations received by interest groups from their membership

c. The trust citizens have in the legislative process

d. The ability of lobbyists and special interest groups to get members from their own group to run for political office

e. The increasing demand for campaign reform

5) Which of the following officials do lobbyists most succeed with?

a. Officials who have a basic philosophical affinity with the lobbyist

b. Officials who have a basic philosophical difference with the lobbyist

c. Officials who are neutral with the lobbyist’s position

d. Officials who have strong convictions

e. Officials who are very conservative

5) Which of the following officials do lobbyists most succeed with?

a. Officials who have a basic philosophical affinity with the lobbyist

b. Officials who have a basic philosophical difference with the lobbyist

c. Officials who are neutral with the lobbyist’s position

d. Officials who have strong convictions

e. Officials who are very conservative

6) A significant amount of PAC money most likely goes to

a. Candidates challenging Republican seats

b. Candidates challenging Democratic seats

c. Candidates who are new to the political scene

d. Candidates who have wide philosophical differences with the PAC

e. Candidates who hold incumbent status

6) A significant amount of PAC money most likely goes to

a. Candidates challenging Republican seats

b. Candidates challenging Democratic seats

c. Candidates who are new to the political scene

d. Candidates who have wide philosophical differences with the PAC

e. Candidates who hold incumbent status

7) Which of the following techniques would a lobbyist be likely to use to influence legislation in Congress?

I. Organize a demonstration in Washington just before a key House vote

II. Ensure that the corporation’s political action committee makes donations to the campaigns of members of key committees

III. Meet informally with Senate aids over lunch or cocktails

IV. Bring influential constituents to Washington to discuss important

policy matters with their representatives

a. I only d. I, II, and III only

b. II only e. I, II, III and IV

c. II, III and IV only

7) Which of the following techniques would a lobbyist be likely to use to influence legislation in Congress?

I. Organize a demonstration in Washington just before a key House vote

II. Ensure that the corporation’s political action committee makes donations to the campaigns of members of key committees

III. Meet informally with Senate aids over lunch or cocktails

IV. Bring influential constituents to Washington to discuss important

policy matters with their representatives

a. I only d. I, II, and III only

b. II only e. I, II, III and IV

c. II, III and IV only

8) Which of the following statements represents the main functions of special interest groups? They...

a. Eventually want to end up as political office holders

b. Nominate candidates for political office

c. Have the primary function of funding political campaigns

d. Want to influence officeholders and achieve legislative goals

e. Attempt to recruit an elite membership in order to become influential

8) Which of the following statements represents the main functions of special interest groups? They...

a. Eventually want to end up as political office holders

b. Nominate candidates for political office

c. Have the primary function of funding political campaigns

d. Want to influence officeholders and achieve legislative goals

e. Attempt to recruit an elite membership in order to become influential

9) All the following are techniques used by lobbyists EXCEPT

a. Testifying at congressional hearings

b. Providing officials with research information

c. Appearing on the floor of Congress as staff assistants to senators and representatives

d. Taking senators and representatives to conferences sponsored by a special interest group

e. Giving senators and representatives feedback from their constituents

9) All the following are techniques used by lobbyists EXCEPT

a. Testifying at congressional hearings

b. Providing officials with research information

c. Appearing on the floor of Congress as staff assistants to senators and representatives

d. Taking senators and representatives to conferences sponsored by a special interest group

e. Giving senators and representatives feedback from their constituents

10) Which of the following statements represent a potential conflict of interest? Lobbyists...

a. Work closely with the interest groups that hired them

b. Are former government officials who have close ties with current legislators

c. Are persistent in making sure that the results they get do not change before a vote

d. Know as much and sometimes even more than legislators about pending legislation

e. Attempt to convince senators and representatives that if they support their position they will receive the support of their constituency

10) Which of the following statements represent a potential conflict of interest? Lobbyists...

a. Work closely with the interest groups that hired them

b. Are former government officials who have close ties with current legislators

c. Are persistent in making sure that the results they get do not change before a vote

d. Know as much and sometimes even more than legislators about pending legislation

e. Attempt to convince senators and representatives that if they support their position they will receive the support of their constituency

11) The major impact of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 was that it

a. Eliminated lobbyist gifts and vacations for legislators

b. Set strict contribution limitations for congressional campaigns

c. Created matching funds for congressional campaigns

d. Legitimized and increased the number of interest groups

e. Created strict registration procedures for lobbyists

11) The major impact of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 was that it

a. Eliminated lobbyist gifts and vacations for legislators

b. Set strict contribution limitations for congressional campaigns

c. Created matching funds for congressional campaigns

d. Legitimized and increased the number of interest groups

e. Created strict registration procedures for lobbyists

Explanation You must not only know the major provisions of the

FEC of 1974, but also not get confused over proposed legislation that almost passed the Congress in 1994. In addition, even though the law had a registration provision, in reality it opened up the opportunity for the formation of an increased number of interest groups. The act created matching funds for presidential, not congressional campaigns and was silent regarding gifts, vacations, and campaign contributions for congressional campaigns.

The EndThe End