12 Questions
What was the major impact of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision on campaign finance?
Allowed unlimited spending by corporations and unions in campaigns through independent outside groups
Who are the main contenders in the Montana Senate race mentioned in the text?
Democrat Jon Tester and Republican Denny Rehberg
What percentage of the total broadcast television spending in the Montana Senate race came from outside groups?
68%
What role do outside groups like American Bridge 21st Century play in shaping campaign narratives?
They specialize in opposition research and ads to influence elections
What is the significance of 501c4s in political advertising spending?
They allow for secretive spending without donor disclosure
How do campaign ads differentiate between issue ads according to the text?
By using magic words like 'vote for'
What group faced investigation for potential campaign finance violations in Montana?
Western Tradition Partnership (WTP)
Who accused WTP of engaging in illegal practices by offering unregulated support to campaigns?
The Commissioner of Political Practices in Montana
Which court upheld a 1912 law against corporate spending in elections, defying the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling?
The Montana Supreme Court
What did the former chairman of the Federal Election Commission suggest the documents indicated regarding WTP's actions?
Coordinated campaign activities
What did WTP rebrand as, after facing legal challenges in Montana?
American Tradition Partnership (ATP)
What implications could the rise of issue advocacy groups like ATP have for democracy and elections at state and local levels?
Significant implications
Study Notes
- Frontline investigates campaign finance in Montana, revealing the impact of big money on politics.
- Supreme Court's Citizens United decision allowed unlimited spending by corporations and unions in campaigns through independent outside groups.
- Montana Senate race between Democrat Jon Tester and Republican Denny Rehberg is attracting significant outside money.
- Tester expresses concern over the influx of outside money influencing the campaign.
- Professor David Parker's research shows that 68% of the $6.8 million spent on broadcast television in the Senate race came from outside groups.
- Outside groups, like American Bridge 21st Century, play a significant role in shaping campaign narratives through opposition research and ads.
- American Bridge operates independently from candidates, specializing in opposition research and utilizing trackers to gather information on Republican candidates.- Staff reviews campaign priorities in morning meetings, plans strategies to shape voter messages.
- Research on candidates includes political history, voting records, business dealings.
- Outside groups use research to create ads influencing elections, like Citizens for Strength and Security Fund.
- Growth of 501c4s allows for secretive political advertising spending without donor disclosure.
- 501c4s can keep donors hidden by focusing on issues, not direct candidate support.
- Magic words like "vote for" differentiate campaign ads from issue ads.
- Professor Erika Franklin Fowler studies political ads influenced by Citizens United.
- Jim Bopp, key figure in campaign finance law restructuring, believes secrecy protects political speech.
- Montana's history of anti-corruption laws dates back to the Gilded Age.
- Western Tradition Partnership (WTP) faced investigation for potential campaign finance violations in Montana.
- WTP director Christian Lefer and former employee Karolin Loendorf raised concerns about secretive activities.- WTP, a 501c4 social welfare group, had a candidate hit list and targeted specific candidates to promote its agenda.
- WTP planned to raise and spend over half a million dollars on Montana state races, using secret fundraising scripts to attract donors with promises of confidentiality and unlimited contributions.
- The Commissioner of Political Practices in Montana accused WTP of engaging in illegal practices by offering unregulated support to campaigns.
- WTP sued to challenge Montana's 100-year-old Corrupt Practices Act, leading to a legal battle with the state attorney general over Citizens United.
- The Montana Supreme Court upheld a 1912 law against corporate spending in elections, defying the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling.
- WTP was found to potentially coordinate with candidates through detailed questionnaires and letters, raising concerns about campaign coordination.
- The former chairman of the Federal Election Commission suggested that the documents indicated coordinated campaign activities, which is prohibited.
- WTP's actions raised questions about the independence of their spending, contrary to the arguments made in the Citizens United case.
- WTP rebranded as American Tradition Partnership (ATP) and expanded nationally, operating with increased funding and influence in multiple states.
- The rise of issue advocacy groups like ATP, with limited regulation and undisclosed funding, could have significant implications for democracy and elections at state and local levels.
Explore the impact of big money on politics in Montana's Senate race, the role of outside groups, the influence of secretive political advertising, and the legal battles over campaign finance laws post Citizens United decision.
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