This is a class blog for the students of POLSCI 426: Congressional Politics at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

To the highest bidder goes the Presidency

How many millions of dollars does it take to get elected President? Do mud slinger commercials really cost that much? What about the little guy, the work horse, who doesn't have the ability or the means to collect that much money? They may make it so that the individual person is able to contribute only a certain amount to each candidate, but what about a cap on the amount that a candidate can have totally? In my mind that could create an even playing field for those candidate who could possibly be a better one to vote for.

3 comments:

Kierzek said...

This one looks to be more expensive than ever before. Without a sure nominee on either side, it's going to be a long and hard campaign. Personally, I think it's fascinating to have this kind of discussion this far out, if not to the detriment of democracy and society in general. If you don't have the funds, you've got no chance. Sure, Hillary will raise obscene cash, same for Obama, maybe Edwards depending on Iowa. Giuliani, McCain, and my guess is Romney will be at least equally well funded as the Democrats. There it is, that's where we are.

crobinson said...

That's always the case though...should you want to vote for a person who can't do something as simple as raise enough money to run a campaign? If they can't do that, how can they generate money for health care or whatnot?

But yeah, it's going to cost at least $75 million to run for the presidency, and national ads and stuff do cost alot of money, not to mention all the travel expenses for going across the whole country campaigning.

walker sc ranger said...

An "even" playing field? Common now? How would we ever elect a decent President if he did not come from the aristocracy? And yes, it is absurd to have this discussion at the beginning of 2007.

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