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

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

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Preface

1. Interest Groups and American Politics
A Brief History of Interest Groups
Diverse Groups, Diverse Goals
The One, the Few, or the Many: Interest Groups and American Politics
Interest Groups and the American Political System
Regulations, Goals, and Resources
Strategies and Tactics
How This Book Is Organized

2. Interest Groups and Political Parties
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources
Recruiting and Training Candidates
The Nomination Process
Presidential Nominations
Delegate Selection
The National Conventions
State Party Conventions
Summary

3. Interest Groups and Candidates
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources
PACs: An Overview
PAC Contribution Strategies
Giving Beyond the Limit
Contributions to Parties
Contributions of Goods and Services
Summary
Notes

4. Interest Groups and Voters
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources
Endorsements
Hit Lists
Ratings, Scorecards, and Voters’ Guides
Voter Mobilization
Independent Expenditures and Issue Advocacy
Referenda, Initiatives, and Recalls
Summary
Notes

5. Evaluating the Role of Interest Groups in Elections
Positive and Negative Aspects of Interest Group Involvement
Reforming the System
Directions for Campaign Finance Reform
Summary

List of References
Index

“Organized interests are playing an increasingly large role across the full spectrum of electoral politics in America. The old vision of groups merely funding candidates via PACs is woefully out of date. In Interest Groups in American Campaigns, the authors demonstrate the full range of interest group activity in the electoral process. Using the most recent presidential campaign as an example, they show how the degree to which interest groups have emerged as one of the major players in national politics. If you want students to understand why interest groups matter outside of lobbying the legislature, have them read this book.”

“I wouldn't think of teaching my interest group course without Interest Groups in American Campaigns. The new edition is up-to-date in its coverage of 527s and BCRA and authoritative in its sweep. Lots of books discuss PACs, but this captures the whole spectrum of interest group participation in the electoral process, from candidate recruitment, training, and participation in party conventions to financial contributions, referenda, and voter drives.”

“Interest Groups in American Campaigns is an indispensable resource for scholars and students of American democracy. In a series of clearly written, well-organized chapters, Rozell, Wilcox, and Madland provide a wealth of up-to-date empirical data and explore the key normative issues surrounding the role of interest groups in American politics.”

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 professor of political science at Georgetown University and has published seventeen books. He is the author, coauthor, editor, or coeditor of more than 20 books on campaign finance, religion and politics, gender politics, and other topics.

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.