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== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

The public has flexed its [[muscle]] the past few weeks.  Public outrage forced [[CBS]] to withdraw from its [[network]] its [[bias]]ed [[film]] about former [[President]] [[Ronald Reagan]].  Public outrage also forced the [[Florida]] legislature to pass a special [[law]] to save the [[life]] of [[Terri Schiavo|Terri Schiavo-Schindler]].  A [[court]] had ordered her feeding tube removed based on [[statement]]s by her estranged [[husband]] that [[Terri Schiavo|Terri]] did not want to live anymore.  This [[special law]] gave the feeding tube back to [[Terri Schiavo|Terri]].

The public has flexed its [[muscle]] the past few weeks.  Public outrage forced [[CBS]] to withdraw from its [[network]] its [[bias]]ed [[film]] about former [[President]] [[Ronald Reagan]].  Public outrage also forced the [[Florida]] legislature to pass a special [[law]] to save the [[life]] of [[Terri Schiavo|Terri Schiavo-Schindler]].  A [[court]] had ordered her feeding tube removed based on [[statement]]s by her estranged [[husband]] that [[Terri Schiavo|Terri]] did not want to live anymore.  This special [[law]] gave the feeding tube back to [[Terri Schiavo|Terri]].

These were not acts of [[political party|political parties]], though the [[Republican Party]] did play [[minor]] [[roles]].  This was the public [[at large]], acting through “[[interest groups]]” and as [[individual]]s, that forced [[action]].  Today we will talk about “[[interest groups]].”

These were not acts of [[political party|political parties]], though the [[Republican Party]] did play [[minor]] roles.  This was the public at large, acting through “[[interest groups]]” and as individuals, that forced [[action]].  Today we will talk about “[[interest groups]].”

This past week there was also a [[tremendous]] [[achievement]] by a [[single-issue]] interest group: the signing into law of the ban on [[partial birth abortion]]s.  [[National Right to Life]] and other [[pro-life]] groups have been [[work]]ing on this for nearly ten years.  It takes that long when [[opposition]] is [[fierce]].

This past week there was also a tremendous achievement by a single-[[issue]] [[interest group]]: the signing into [[law]] of the ban on [[partial birth abortion]]s.  [[National Right to Life Committee|National Right to Life]] and other [[pro-life]] groups have been [[work]]ing on this for nearly ten years.  It takes that long when opposition is fierce.

We also had an [[election]] last [[Tuesday]], and we will take a moment to look at the [[result]]s.

We also had an [[election]] last [[Tuesday]], and we will take a moment to look at the results.

== What is an Interest Group? ==

== What is an Interest Group? ==

The [[motivation]] for an [[interest group]] is to work with both parties towards a specific [[goal]].  It [[focus]]es on only one [[issue]], or a small [[number]] of connected [[issue]]s, and thus [[channel]]s all its [[energy]] towards that end.  It is unconcerned with many other [[issue]]s affecting political parties.

The [[motivation]] for an [[interest group]] is to work with both parties towards a specific [[goal]].  It [[focus]]es on only one [[issue]], or a small [[number]] of connected [[issue]]s, and thus [[channel]]s all its [[energy]] towards that end.  It is unconcerned with many other [[issue]]s affecting political parties.

For example, the [[National Right to Life]] does not take a position on [[tax]]es, [[immigration]], the [[environment]], [[Social Security]], etc.  When asked whether it supports the [[Equal Rights Amendment]] (ERA), it responded that it would if the [[Amendment]] were changed to make sure it did not authorize [[abortion]] or funding of [[abortion]].  That is its [[issue]], while others oppose ERA for many other [[issue]]s, too.

For example, the [[National Right to Life Committee|National Right to Life]] does not take a position on [[tax]]es, [[immigration]], the [[environment]], [[Social Security]], etc.  When asked whether it supports the [[Equal Rights Amendment]] (ERA), it responded that it would if the [[Amendment]] were changed to make sure it did not authorize [[abortion]] or funding of [[abortion]].  That is its [[issue]], while others oppose ERA for many other [[issue]]s, too.

Both [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] candidates can seek the support of the [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA), which is a large and particularly [[powerful]] [[interest group]].  It sends a [[questionnaire]] to [[candidate]]s to see if they agree with [[gun rights]].  It can help [[candidate]]s become [[election|elected]] by endorsing them or raising [[campaign money]] for them.

Both [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] candidates can seek the support of the [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA), which is a large and particularly [[powerful]] [[interest group]].  It sends a [[questionnaire]] to [[candidate]]s to see if they agree with [[gun rights]].  It can help [[candidate]]s become [[election|elected]] by endorsing them or raising [[campaign money]] for them.

The [[media]] also dislike how [[interest group]]s could [[influence]] [[election]]s by running [[ad]]s just before [[voting]].  These [[ad]]s detract from the [[power]] of the media to influence the outcome of an election.  The media loved McCain partly because they agreed on this issue.

The [[media]] also dislike how [[interest group]]s could [[influence]] [[election]]s by running [[ad]]s just before [[voting]].  These [[ad]]s detract from the [[power]] of the media to influence the outcome of an election.  The media loved McCain partly because they agreed on this issue.

[[National Right to Life]] was so upset at McCain’s attempt to [[muzzle]] [[interest group]]s that it ran ads attacking McCain in the [[New Hampshire]] presidential[[primary]] in 2000, even though McCain has a [[pro-life]] [[voting record]].  The ads [[backfire]]d, and McCain defeated Bush.

[[National Right to Life Committee|National Right to Life]] was so upset at McCain’s attempt to [[muzzle]] [[interest group]]s that it ran ads attacking McCain in the [[New Hampshire]] presidential[[primary]] in 2000, even though McCain has a [[pro-life]] [[voting record]].  The ads [[backfire]]d, and McCain defeated Bush.

What do you think about the right of interest groups to run [[expensiv]] ads just before an [[election]]?  Should it be limited?  In the [[Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act]] of 2002, [[Congress]] prohibited political ads by interest groups within 60 days of an election.  The [[Supreme Court]] later ruled this to be [[unconstitutional]].  Do you think this [[regulation]] is constitutional?

What do you think about the right of interest groups to run [[expensiv]] ads just before an [[election]]?  Should it be limited?  In the [[Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act]] of 2002, [[Congress]] prohibited political ads by interest groups within 60 days of an election.  The [[Supreme Court]] later ruled this to be [[unconstitutional]].  Do you think this [[regulation]] is constitutional?