Ordinary advertising directed at or against a candidate, but not by any candidate's wish, is which of the following?

Ordinary advertising directed at or against a candidate, but not by any candidate's wish, is which of the following?

• A. Independent expenditure.
• B. Illegal.
• C. Only present at the state level.
• D. Soft money.

Answer: (A)

Independent expenditure is spending on political advertising that advocates for or against a candidate without being directed or coordinated by that candidate’s campaign. Because there’s no candidate control, such ads can be funded by individuals or groups (including corporations or unions) and are legal as long as the spending remains independent. These campaigns occur at both federal and state levels, not just one. This differs from soft money, which involves general party-building funds not tied to advocating for a specific candidate, and from illegal spending, which would involve coordination or undisclosed activity. So ordinary advertising that targets a candidate but isn’t requested or controlled by the candidate fits the idea of an independent expenditure.

Independent expenditure is spending on political advertising that advocates for or against a candidate without being directed or coordinated by that candidate’s campaign. Because there’s no candidate control, such ads can be funded by individuals or groups (including corporations or unions) and are legal as long as the spending remains independent. These campaigns occur at both federal and state levels, not just one. This differs from soft money, which involves general party-building funds not tied to advocating for a specific candidate, and from illegal spending, which would involve coordination or undisclosed activity. So ordinary advertising that targets a candidate but isn’t requested or controlled by the candidate fits the idea of an independent expenditure.