Any communication to the public aimed at promoting a particular policy or idea. The ads cannot call for the election or defeat of a candidate, but experts say they often are designed to convey that message between the lines. Election laws place no limits on spending for issue ads, and the spending is not disclosed. Campaigns that call for election or defeat of a candidate. Though they are not limited by law, the expenditures must be disclosed through the Federal Election Commission and cannot be coordinated with the candidate.
Candidates use hard dollars to pay campaign expenses.
Soft money is not limited but must be disclosed. That message, delivered at a Jan. 27 San Francisco conference, horrified some of the political veterans gathered in a hotel meeting room. Personally I don't approve. . . . It was bitter in my mouth. Traditionally, political campaigns have been waged by candidates who raise money, choose the issues they will emphasize and produce ads.