Buying Campaigns..

Political campaigns in the US have increasingly cost more and more every election cycle. A study by the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity found that consultants were paid a total of $1.85 billion for their work on political campaigns and that "media consultants, who handle advertising and give strategic advice, received 65 percent of all money spent — roughly $1.2 billion."

The second largest amount, $298 million went to direct mail consultants. Another $59 million went to fund raising consultants. This study includes 34 Senate races, 435 House races and the two contenders for the White House.

All of this adds up to large sums of money being spent to buy the support of the American public. These enormous amounts lead to candidates spending large portions of their time fund raising and getting up close and personal with special interest groups.

This means that the 2008 presidential campaign and it's wide open primary contests, which are already in full fund raising mode, will cost even more. And where does all the money go? To consultants telling the candidates how 'to reach the people.'

The possibility of the candidates forgoing public funding in the general contest for the first time in its history may change presidential campaigns forever. Without any public funding, and the limits placed on fund raising that come with it, costs are likely to sky rocket out of control.

And where does this leave the middle ground American? Only time will tell, but it is unlikely to help their plight to be heard.


http://www.internetnews.com/xSP/article.php/3666161
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6451239,00.html
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/03/17/
in_candidates_dash_for_cash_romney_scrambles_to_get_out_front/
http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20070315-082220-6994r.htm
http://www.publicintegrity.org/default.aspx