How Important is Public Opinion?

    When looking at political elections, there are a number of reasons why one candidate claims victory over another.  One of the main reasons for victory is a positive public opinion.  Public opinion is conducted by means of polls, surveys and questionaires.  All of these polling techniques are used to gage the American citizens approval ratings of candidates running for office, and politicians already occupying a seat in office.  In order to win a campaign, it is in a candidates best interests to have high approval ratings in public opinion polls, as afterall, it is the public who controls a candidates employment.
    I believe that although some candidates seem to win elections even with low approval ratings, it is definitely important to gain support through public opinion when running for an election.  History and statistics show that candidates who make an effort to gain approval through public opinion, are usually more successful politicians.  Although there are exceptions (George W. Bush; who had one of the lowest approval ratings in history, while still managing to get elected into a second term), I believe that approval ratings and public opinion polls are more crucial for politicians on a state and local level.  For instance, many Presidents have had low approval ratings, but still managed to win elections, as citizens are forced to vote for the lesser of two evils thanks to our two-party system.  But, on a state and local level, elections are much more frequent beckoning constant support from a candidates constituents if a candidate wishes to occupy a seat in the House/Senate.
    In conclusion, I believe that in order to be a successful, life-long politician, it is vital to gain support through public opinion.  Although government officials on a federal level can ignore public opinion to an extent, the bottom line of winning an election deals with whether or not the public votes for you.

How Much do Interest Groups Actually Contribute?

    When looking at the American political system, the intricacies and expenses of elections sometimes go unnoticed.  When an American citizen decides to run for a political position, one of the primary concerns regarding their upcoming campaigns is how much money they will actually need to win.  New York's two senators for instance, raised $12,899,624 (Sen. Gillibrand) and $19,065,923 (Sen. Schumer) respectively.  Those who chose to run against them raised significantly less (The largest sum of one of the losers was only $2,112,884).  When looking at New York's district members of congress, the congressman that raised the highest was Carolyn Maloney at $2,932,000.
    Although these numbers seem staggering, political candidates rarely pay a large percentage of these numbers themselves.  They get help from campaign workers who work around the clock to raise money from the candidate's constituents.  Besides the money that comes from donations, money that comes from elsewhere, usually flows in from special Interest groups.  Senator Gillibrand attributes 20% of her money raised to special interest groups while Senator Schumer accumulated 15%.  While these numbers may be low, they may also in fact be skewed.  Members of interest groups are usually familiar with candidates in their district who support their cause.  In knowing these candidates, often times members of certain interest groups donate money to the candidate personally to show support on a personal level.
    I feel that interest groups are both necessary and effective in demonstrating support for congressional/senatorial/presidential candidates because it helps these candidates raise money without going "door to door".  While these candidates can enjoy easy access to campaign contributions, members of these interest groups who have to pay fees or donate, can rest assured knowing that their money is being put to good use.

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/election.php?state=NY

How Do Interest Groups Form?

    One of the many questions surrounding the topic of interest groups is how in fact they actually become an interest group.  While there are many different interest groups in the political realm, there are only a few reasons attributed to their formation.
    Usually, when an interest group forms, it happens when a group of individuals share a common interest.  The only difference between interest groups and interest-based clubs is that, those who join interest groups not only feel a certain way, but they feel strongly enough to try and preserve/change legislation in Government regarding their interest.  Some groups are formed to compete for economic resources, while other groups form to show support for the preservation of rights that may seem to be dwindling.  An example of this is the National Rifle Association and its counterpart, the Brady Campaign.  Those who join the National Rifle Association do so with hopes that their constitutional right to bear arms will not be taken away.  Those who join the Brady Campaign do so to help elect Government officials who will help pass legislation to create stricter rules regarding gun use/ownage.
    Individuals who join interest groups do so because of their strong feelings towards the cause being fought over on the legislative level.  Contributing money to these interest groups is one way in which its members can feel as though they did their part in helping the cause in which they so strongly believe in.  Aside from lobbying, interest groups also rally and march hoping to spread their word, gain media coverage, and eventually, more members.

http://thisnation.com/textbook/participants-groups.html (I forgot how to cite neatly, but I know you wanted citations, I'm sorry I'll try and figure it out for next time)