his is a class discussion post that needs to be approximately 2-5 paragraphs in length. 

***Discussion Post should be followed accordingly each question asked needs to be answered.

********I will post the students response below.  With the Student response it should be 1 paragraph in length reply to the students disccusion.

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

ALL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED!!!!

********************Discussion Post*****************

Hard money consists of campaign contributions tracked and regulated by the Federal Election Commission. Soft money, on the other hand, are those donations not subject to FEC guidelines (e.g., party building, get out the vote activities). While the Republican National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee compose the largest fundraising arms of each party, there are several others at both the federal and state level. Using the link below, explore the party fundraising activities of various committees in this election cycle (2018). You can explore total independent expenditures, total receipts, etc.

https://www.opensecrets.org/parties/topparties.php?cmte=&cycle=2018

Select a committee and discuss their financial involvement in campaigns. What is the purpose of this PAC? Has the amount of money raised/spent by this committee increased/decreased recently? Why do you think that is? On most reports you’ll see PAC Contribution Data. Are there any notable recipients or donors connected to this PAC? Overall, how successful do you think this committee has been in achieving their aims?

*Note: Reaction posts should be approximately 2-5 paragraphs in length. Responses to other students do not have a length requirement but serve as your participation grade (i.e., the more thorough the better).

************************ Student Response #1 ***************************

The committee I’ve selected to look at is the Republican Party of California because they are fighting a hilariously uphill battle in the most Democratic state in the country. The Republican Party of California and affiliates have total receipts of $12,433,599 in the 2017-2018 cycle. They have total expenditures of $11,719,958. The Republican Party of California has 50 affiliates that help them some up those total numbers, but the party alone racked up $7,660,668. In 2016 the Republican Party of California had $10,526,988 so the PAC’s receipts have went down. This PAC didn’t make any contributions to any federal candidates this cycle. I feel like based on the political environment this PAC is in they have not been very successful. 

************************ Student Response #2 ***************************

National Republican Congressional Committee-

The NRCC’s goal per their website is to increase the republican majority in the House of Representatives. The NRCC seen a large jump in fundraising from 2014 to 2016. Which is obvious in a presidential election year. But the NRCC also seen a raise from 2016 to 2018 which doesn’t usually happen to the president party. The reason for this is the current political climate. I feel that the two major parties are more divided than ever. The middle ground that use to exist is getting smaller every day, and we see less and less of the moderate republican and less blue dog democrats. This in turn motivates party members to not only donate but to vote and volunteer.

There are a lot of members for congress PACs. For example the largest PAC contributor is Ryan for Congress at 7.1 million. The next seven largest contributions are all from PACs like this, ranging from 1.5 million to 400 thousand. This trend doesn’t stop there, the majority of donations are like this.

The NRCC has been extremely effect and successful in their goal. Republicans have held the majority in the House of Representatives since 2013. Their goal is to extend and maintain the republican majority in the House of Representatives, and until they stop doing that they are being successful. I believe they will continue to be effective for republicans and getting republicans elected. They raise a lot of money but more importantly they spend the money well. Over 39 million has went to campaign expenses alone in 2018.