What is a significant characteristic of soft money?

Soft money refers to contributions that are not subject to the same strict regulatory limits as hard money contributions, which are directly tied to a specific candidate's campaign. A significant characteristic of soft money is that it can be used for general party activities, such as funding party-building efforts, coordinating party initiatives, and supporting party infrastructure without directly advocating for specific candidates.

This flexibility allows parties to raise and spend larger amounts of money on wider initiatives, often benefiting the party as a whole rather than individual campaigns. The lack of strict regulation around soft money means it is not limited in the same way as hard money, making it a crucial resource for political parties as they work to enhance their overall presence and effectiveness in election cycles. By supporting general party activities, soft money plays a vital role in the broader political landscape, enabling parties to mobilize resources in a way that strategic focus on individual candidates might not permit.