CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS - Essay Example

Task: Campaigns and Elections Part a) Hard Money Republicans raised more hard money over the years than Democrats. Republicans had an appreciable collection of hard money from its supporters between 1987 and 2012. Republicans had a great advantage over Democrats because of the complicated direct mail network. The direct mail network served as a reliable source of hard money for the party. Democrats, however, passed Republicans in raising hard cash in 2012 because of internet fundraising (Center for Responsive Politics 1).

Soft moneyDemocrats raised a relatively high amount of soft money since 1991 until 2002 before the BCRA abolished soft money collection. Their contribution leveled off the deficit in hard money collection. The difference in soft money collection between the two parties, however, was insignificant. b)The Republicans hard money figures doubled the Democrats figures since 1987 to 2002. The gap narrowed in the year 2003. During the period between 2009 and 2010, democrats raised more hard money compared to Republicans.

For the period between 2011 and 2012, the figures were relatively equal (Center for Responsive Politics 1). Soft money figures for Republicans were slightly higher Democrats’ figures over the years.c) There is a notable overall trend since the amount rose for both parties decline and then rise every two years.d)The amount raised by political parties decline and rise every two years because of independent and coordinated expenditures.e)The rise and decline pattern is not as dramatic for soft money as it is for hard because its usage is subject to restrictions; it is only applicable for politics and not party running.Part 2 a)Democrats did better compared to Republicans b)The PACs gave to both the parties ,it is noted that at no instant the percentage contributions to the Democrats is a hundred percent, this shows that even the republicans had a share however little it was. c)The Democrats did better than Republicans did because the party preference expanded.

Growth in party emanated from the public perception of poor job performance by the incumbent republican president. The Iraq war in addition to the federal response by the incumbent to Hurrican Katrinan also explains the reason for the low contribution figures.Work CitedCenter for Responsive Politics. Party Fundraising Totals by Cycle. OpenSecrets.Org. Web. March 5, 2014.