Obama Sets Record In Campaign Spending

Today’s headlines claim Obama has set a new record in campaign spending. The Republicans are complaining, of course. McCain agreed to adhere to the federal campaign finance system, which gives candidates $84 million and limits them to spending any more than that from the day their party convention nominates them until Election Day.

McCain is complaining loudly over Obama’s spending, but this raises the question: Who set the previous record? BUSH!

Republican candidates have always relied on the backing of Big Money and were easily able to outspend Democrats. But, that was before Howard Dean demonstrated the ability to raise money via the Internet through small donations from millions of voters. This miraculous change not only enables the voters to aid the cause of their candidates, but thwarts the effect Big Business can have on elections.

McCain had no choice but to accept the financing of the federal campaign system. The Republicans, who are known for huge pockets when it comes to political campaigns, are no longer able to compete with the Internet financing the Democrats are receiving from the people. And Big Money doesn’t seem overly enthused with McCain, who has a reputation for going against their wishes on occasion and actually working for the good of the country and its people.

Why are campaigns so expensive? And where does the money go?

The money goes mostly to the television networks and other media, which are quite happy with the situation, as well as the huge costs involved in transporting the candidates all over the country. But the Corporatization of the Media has also enabled big business to control access to the major networks for candidates and to exclude candidates, such as Ralph Nader and other third party candidates whose voices should be heard in a true Democracy.

Ironically, the Republican complaints could possibly lead to much needed changes in campaign financing, which is the major factor behind the corruption in Washington. The money makes politicians extremely vulnerable to special interests that have the necessary money to buy support for their causes. Taking the money out of politics is the first step toward curing the corruption in American politics.

Fritz Hollings, a highly respected Senator from South Carolina who spent 36 years in Congress and was known as an advocate for the people, says the system forces Congressmen to spend most of their time raising money for their party and their next election campaign. Hollings, who retired in disgust after GW Bush’s first term says he was expected to raise $8.5 million every year, which amounts to $30 thousand a week. The continuous effort leaves little time for the real responsibilities of the job.

Hollings says, "You've gotta untie that money knot – and the government will begin to work for the country and not the campaign." He has published a book, Making Government Work Making Government Work, that he hopes will enable Americans to understand the problems caused by the politicians’ need for special interest money.

The expense of television exposure can be limited by requiring the networks to offer equal exposure to all qualified candidates, including those from official third parties, and at equal costs. The bulk of campaigning should be free on C-Span, PBS or other networks and cable systems that are willing to offer equal exposure to all candidates of political parties supported by a specified number of voters.

David Satre
Saturday, October 18, 2008

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