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CAMPAIGNING: HARD MONEY VS. SOFT MONEY

When the media talks about fund-raising, you may hear the terms "hard money" and "soft money."

Hard money refers to cash that is raised under the guidelines set out by the Federal Elections Commission. This money may only come from individuals or political action committees, and strict limits are placed on the amounts an individual or PAC may give. This money may be used for any purpose in a campaign.

Soft money refers to cash that political parties can raise in unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations, PACs and other sources. While each source may give an unlimited amount of cash, the use of that cash is not allowed for advocating the express election or defeat of a candidate. Instead, the law says that soft money may only be used for "party-building activities" such as voter registration drives or advocating the passage of an issue or law.

- Brett Allen

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