Interest Group Financing

Front 1

What is the hardest way for an interest group to raise money?

Back 1

membership fees

Front 2

List and describe the three other ways (besides membership fees) that an interest group can raise money.

Back 2

1) foundation grants: large yearly donations from families and/or businesses. 1/3 of all interest groups get half or more of their funds from foundation grants.

2) federal grants and contracts: federal grant-in-aid money is often given to support projects the interest group undertakes, especially for non-profit groups such as the Salvation Army

3) direct mail solicitation: this is the most useful tool of interest group financing. here, you are aiming for a 2% or greater response rate.

Front 3

What are some ways to increase your response rate on direct mail solicitation?

Back 3

1) computerized mailing lists (these target those with traits that make them most likely to donate)

2) attach yourself to a famous person

3) put "teasers" on the outside of the envelope that tug at the emotional heart strings

4) personalize the letter

5) always easier to demonize your opponent than it is to glorify your proponent

Front 4

Why is there some truth to the idea that interest groups demonstrate an upper class bias?

Back 4

because richer, more educated people, and businesses are more likely to join interest groups

Front 5

Why are higher income people more likely to join interest groups?

Back 5

they can afford membership fees more easily

Front 6

Why do businessmen tend to join interest groups often?

Back 6

they have more control over the work schedules, so they have more time to attend meetings

Front 7

T/F: people with college degrees often have a wider range of interests, which makes them more likely to join an interest group.

Back 7

True

Front 8

Why have oil-industry interest groups lost influence in Washington lately?

Back 8

rising oil prices have made the public, and legislators, less concerned about the well-being of oil companies

Front 9

What are some othe activities (besides raising money) that influence interest group success?

Back 9

1) generating headlines
2) mobilizing members
3) stagin protests
4) filing lawsuits on behalf of its members

Front 10

Why are the four things mentioned on the previous card so important?

Back 10

Because they draw public attention to your cause.

Front 11

What is the msot direct and most effective method for an interest group to be successful?

Back 11

supplying reliable information to Congress

Front 12

What keeps a lobbyist from over-exaggerating too much when presenting information to Congress?

Back 12

The lobbyist must develop and maintain long-term confidence and trust with legislator in order to continue to do well with that legislator

Front 13

T/F: The information provided to the legislator is most valuable when the issue is defined more broadly.

Back 13

FALSE - when the issue is defined more narrowly, the legislator is less likely to have prior knowledge. Thus, the lobbyist is able to provide new, specific knowledge to the Congressperson on more narrowly defined issues

Front 14

A _______________ is a signal teling a legislator what values are at stake in a vote, and how the issue fits into his or her views and party agenda.

Back 14

political cue

Front 15

T/F: Political cues often include who is for and who is against a certain issue.

Back 15

TRUE: legislators will be more open to an issue if they know that issue has public support behind it

Front 16

T/F: Political cues now arrive in Washington at a faster rate than ever before.

Back 16

TRUE: this is thanks in part to the internet and fax machines

Front 17

_______________ are assessments of a legislator's voting record on the issues that are important to an interest group.

Back 17

ratings

Front 18

________________ are provisions in a law that provide direct benefit to the client without that benefit being reviewed by all of Congress.

Back 18

earmark