The 1996 elections revealed that unmistakable, dramatic changes have occurred in the way federal campaigns are paid for. Through soft money donations, issue advocacy campaigns, and other strategems, parties and candidates have been able to circumvent the regulations put in place after the Watergate scandal.

Despite rhetorical condemnations, there is every reason to expect these trends to continue in the future.

This study of the 1996 election -- the latest in a highly praised series sponsored by the Citizens' Research Foundation -- systematically examines the new campaign finance practices and their consequences.

Chapter 1 The End of an Era: Introduction and Overview, John C. Green; Chapter 2 Spending in the 1996 Elections, Herbert E. Alexander; Chapter 3 Financing the 1996 Presidential Nominations: The Last Regulated Campaign?, Wesley Joe, Clyde Wilcox; Chapter 4 Financing the 1996 Presidential General Election, Anthony Corrado; Chapter 5 Financing the 1996 Congressional Elections, Paul S. Herrnson; Chapter 6 Individual Donors in the 1996 Federal Elections, Peter L. Francia, Rachel E. Goldberg, John C. Green, Paul S. Herrnson, Clyde Wilcox; Chapter 7 Spitting on the Umpire: Political Part Ies, the Federal Election Campaign Act, and the 1996 Campaigns, Robert Biersack, Melanie Haskell; Chapter 8 Interest Groups and Issue Advocacy in 1996, Diana Dwyre; Chapter 9 The Reinvigorated Reform Debate, Robert E. Mutch;