Myths and Realities of Campaign Finance: Lessons for Reform

By Jeff Milyo on Feb 25, 2011

Economist Jeff Milyo begins this talk debunking popular notions of campaign finance with the following true/false quiz:

True or False?

It is illegal for corporations to contribute to federal candidates.
It is illegal for unions to contribute to federal candidates.
In the 2010 election cycle, the Democratic Party spent more than the Republican Party in federal races.
In the 2010 election cycle, political action committees (PACs) gave more to Democrats in federal races.
Corporate PACs gave more to federal candidates than labor PACs.

Milyo shows that people are systematically misinformed about campaign finance, and sheds light on a number of important matters relating to elections, political spending, and the effect of one on the other. This talk was given in Columbia on Nov. 1, 2010 — the day before election day.

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Jeff Milyo

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