Soft money is money that is obtained by

Soft money is money that is obtained by

• A. Incumbents
• B. Political parties
• C. Challengers
• D. Party leaders

Answer: (B)

Soft money refers to funds raised and used by political parties for activities that are not tied to a single candidate. This makes political parties the entity associated with soft money, since the money is directed toward the party to support broad, party-building efforts rather than financing a specific campaign. In contrast, hard money goes directly to a candidate’s campaign and is subject to contribution limits. Incumbents and challengers typically rely on hard money for their campaigns, while the party itself handles soft money for broader party activities like voter outreach or generic advertising. Party leaders may be involved in raising or managing such funds, but the defining idea of soft money is that it goes to the party rather than to individual candidates.

Soft money refers to funds raised and used by political parties for activities that are not tied to a single candidate. This makes political parties the entity associated with soft money, since the money is directed toward the party to support broad, party-building efforts rather than financing a specific campaign.

In contrast, hard money goes directly to a candidate’s campaign and is subject to contribution limits. Incumbents and challengers typically rely on hard money for their campaigns, while the party itself handles soft money for broader party activities like voter outreach or generic advertising. Party leaders may be involved in raising or managing such funds, but the defining idea of soft money is that it goes to the party rather than to individual candidates.