What term describes unlimited money given to political parties that is not used to back candidates directly?

• A. Hard money
• B. Unlimited money to parties used to back candidates directly
• C. Unlimited money to parties not used to back candidates directly
• D. PAC money

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is the difference between funds given to parties for non-candidate-specific activities versus funds directed straight to campaigns. The description refers to soft money: unlimited or largely unrestricted funds given to political parties that aren’t earmarked to back a specific candidate. This type of money was used for party-building, voter outreach, and generic issue advocacy rather than for supporting a particular campaign, which is why it isn’t regulated the same as money given directly to campaigns. Hard money, in contrast, is the money donated straight to candidates’ campaigns and is subject to strict limits. PAC money involves contributions to political-action committees, which operate under separate rules and are not the same as unlimited party funds for non-candidate activities. So, the term described is soft money.