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Big money, big dreams
As of the end of January, Barack Obama's campaign reported $138.2 million. Hillary Clinton was close on his heels with $134.5 million and change. Both enjoyed healthy contributions in February with Obama estimated to add another $55 million and Clinton another $35 million. On the Republican side, John McCain, Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee together raised a little over $99 million. In fact, among Republicans, with the exception of Mitt Romney whose campaign bankroll was $105 million, no one candidate reached $55 million in campaign donations. If I liked math enough and could remember how many delegates everyone has racked up, I could figure out just how much it is costing the campaigns to win a delegate. I don't like math that much and can easily say without doing any that it's costing a heck of a lot. Just how do the candidates spend all that money? Some say the television time to run ads is expensive, especially in places like California. The only place I've actually seen an ad is on a news show where the commentators were making fun of the commercial. I'm guessing that candidate didn't pay for that air time. In fact, I would bet that the candidates get plenty of air time without ever spending a penny. It seems all I can get on the all news all the time channels is endless talk about the candidates, primarily the Democratic contenders. I guess bumper stickers are expensive. I haven't seen any bumper stickers, but some are probably out there. I did see a lot of tshirts on folks attending an Obama rally. That was on a television news show, a little more free air time. I'm sure there are yard signs and brochures and all those people following the candidates around are probably expensive. Anyone whose title is consultant or advisor or statistician can't be cheap. And there are jets and limos and hotel rooms and meals and clothes and hair cuts and bottled water. There are lifestyles that those of us who just go to the polls and vote don't quite understand. I know that the election of a president for this great country is a serious endeavor. I know that we should look seriously at the candidates, at their positions on important issues, at their experience, at their leadership abilities. I just don't see why it's costing so doggone much. When all is said done, we will have a new president come November. At this point, none of us know who that will be. The big question might not be who the new president will be, but how much is it going to cost.
As costly as some of the campaigns seem to be, that might not be a bad question to ask before voters head to the polls.
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