1976, Part 2: Buckley v. Valeo
Fri Feb 06 2026
Part two of The Georgia Politics Podcast's special mini-series on the pivotal year of 1976 turns to one of the most influential — and still debated — Supreme Court decisions in American political history: Buckley v. Valeo.
In this episode, we unpack how a post-Watergate push for campaign finance reform led to a constitutional showdown over the role of money in politics, and how the Court's ruling permanently reshaped the rules governing campaigns, candidates, and political advocacy.
We walk through the origins of the case, beginning with Congress' sweeping reforms to the Federal Election Campaign Act, designed to curb corruption and restore public trust after Watergate. From there, we explain the legal challenge that followed, the arguments presented to the Court, and the reasoning behind the justices' complex, split decision. The episode breaks down the key distinctions the Court drew between contribution limits and expenditure limits, why one was upheld while the other was struck down, and how the ruling established the enduring doctrine that political spending is protected speech under the First Amendment.
The discussion also connects the decision's immediate effects in the 1976 election cycle to its long tail in modern politics — from PACs and independent expenditures to later cases that built on Buckley's framework. Along the way, we highlight how these legal principles continue to influence campaign strategy, fundraising, and political messaging at both the national and Georgia state level.
Whether you're a political history buff, a campaign law follower, or simply curious about how today's election finance system took shape, this episode provides clear context, practical explanations, and thoughtful analysis of a ruling that still defines the boundaries of money and political speech nearly 50 years later.
Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod
Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen
Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1
Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey
Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.
#gapol
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Part two of The Georgia Politics Podcast's special mini-series on the pivotal year of 1976 turns to one of the most influential — and still debated — Supreme Court decisions in American political history: Buckley v. Valeo. In this episode, we unpack how a post-Watergate push for campaign finance reform led to a constitutional showdown over the role of money in politics, and how the Court's ruling permanently reshaped the rules governing campaigns, candidates, and political advocacy. We walk through the origins of the case, beginning with Congress' sweeping reforms to the Federal Election Campaign Act, designed to curb corruption and restore public trust after Watergate. From there, we explain the legal challenge that followed, the arguments presented to the Court, and the reasoning behind the justices' complex, split decision. The episode breaks down the key distinctions the Court drew between contribution limits and expenditure limits, why one was upheld while the other was struck down, and how the ruling established the enduring doctrine that political spending is protected speech under the First Amendment. The discussion also connects the decision's immediate effects in the 1976 election cycle to its long tail in modern politics — from PACs and independent expenditures to later cases that built on Buckley's framework. Along the way, we highlight how these legal principles continue to influence campaign strategy, fundraising, and political messaging at both the national and Georgia state level. Whether you're a political history buff, a campaign law follower, or simply curious about how today's election finance system took shape, this episode provides clear context, practical explanations, and thoughtful analysis of a ruling that still defines the boundaries of money and political speech nearly 50 years later. Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1 Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network. #gapol