Name: _______________________ POL 231: Assignment 3: Presidential Nomination Campaign Finance Assignment Due: February 14, 2006 Go to website for The Center for Responsible Politics at http://www.opensecrets.org/ Click on “2004 Presidential Race” under the category of “The White House” Presidential campaign funds are divided into two time periods. The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates receive campaign funds from the government for the general (fall) election campaign. In 2004, the Democratic and Republican party candidates each received $74,620,000 from the federal government for the general election campaign. For the presidential nomination campaign, candidates can raise money from individuals and interest groups (PACs). They also can choose whether or not to participate in a matching funds program from the federal government. Once candidates accept matching funds from the federal government, they are limited in how much money they spend on their campaigns. In 2004, because George W. Bush, John Kerry and John Dean did not accept matching funds during the presidential primary phase, they could raise and spend as much money as they wanted during the nomination phase (prior to the conventions). Click on George Bush’s name. The Open Secrets webpage does not separate fall election campaign spending from the nomination phase spending. But the fall campaign spending for Bush is listed under Federal Funds. Individual and PAC contributions were for the nomination phase. How much total money did George W. Bush raise [receipts] for the nomination phase? Total receipts = __________________ - 74,620,000 = ___________ nomination phase money. How much total money did John Kerry raise? Total receipts = __________________ - 74,620,000 = ___________ nomination phase money. [Go to the next page]Now look at the candidates who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination but lost. You will need to click on each candidate’s name to fill in the following information. The first entry is filled in for you. Source of Funds: Percent in each of the following categories Candidate Total Receipts Individual contributions PAC Candidate self-financing Federal Funds Other Braun $627,869 87% 7% 2% 0% 4% Clark Dean Edwards Gephardt Graham Kucinich LaRouche Lieberman Sharpton What is the largest source of campaign funds for candidates during the presidential nomination campaigns? How important is PAC money in presidential nomination campaigns? How important are federal