ABSTRACT
Though it could be argued that Madison was right, it could also be said that interest groups are the primary mechanism by which the people have influence over government. Either way, it cannot be denied that they have become influential actors in campaigns and elections. Interest groups engage in nearly all of the campaign activity that parties undertake. They contribute money to candidates and provide them with volunteers; they may officially endorse candidates; they communicate directly with voters through direct mail, e-mail, and commercials; and they mobilize voters, especially their own members and supporters. Furthermore, they are a particularly integral element of the “party networks” described at the end of Chapter 5. The key difference between interest groups and parties is that interest groups do not nominate candidates to run for office under the banner of the interest group.
