In today's episode we discuss:

• How to get a campaign off the ground? What are the legal requirements to be eligible to stand as a candidate for Congress, senate, president etc

o Reach out to people

o Develop support

o Plan events

o Budgeting

o Marketing

• Much of campaigning is a show that the politicians put on for the masses. How to dissect a politician’s campaign messages We also need to see if there is anything indicating they will be able to keep the promises they are making.

• Pacs Political action committees

1. National Association of Realtors

2. National Beer Wholesalers Association

3. AT&T

4. Northrop Grumman

5. National Air Traffic Controllers Association

o In the Electoral Process, dollars often equal votes.

 An early press release from Jeb Bush’s super PAC actually touted the fact that 95 percent of its donors had donated less than $25,000—not exactly within the price range of the middle class. In fact, nearly half of all super PAC money comes from just 50 donors, according to a Washington Post analysis.

o The much-vilified Koch brothers have set up a deeply financed network of political groups that almost parallels the Republican Party in funding and political prestige

o These entities are powerful instruments for influence—over both voters and elected officials—that are beyond the means of the average citizen. Economic elites did not suddenly acquire political influence in 2010—but they may have further tightened their grip on it. One does not need to be an ardent majoritarian to find that worrying.

 American Federation of Teachers, Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation Union, and international brotherhood of electrical workers largely support democrats

 House Freedom Fund, Majority committee and American Bankers Association largely support republicans

 American Bridge 21st Century raised $43,560,574 for Biden

 America First Action raised $46,553,472 for Trump

 Some of the largest pacs are National Association of Realtors, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Honeywell International, National Auto Dealers Association, and military contractor Lockheed Martin

• Russian Hacking, other forms of espionage, Trump claiming that China is using tiktok to spy on and influence Americans etc.

• Incentives each party has to win beyond just their name and beyond just helping people. How each party itself is like a corporation, like a business

• Lobbying/Lobbyists

 There are as many as eighty thousand lobbyists in Washington, DC. Interest groups employ lobbyists to protect and advance their interests. Lobbyists do this through lobbying: informing, persuading, and pressuring policymakers to support the group’s objectives.

o The five biggest spenders in lobbying last year, in descending order, were the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Realtors, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the American Hospital Association and the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America.

• Most data that exists are from studies funded by individuals and organizations with agendas to prove specific points