Has the financial aspect of the presidential elections eliminated the possibility of there ever being a "Mr. Smith" going to Washington???

2015-08-01T17:07:57-04:00

One need only go back to the middle of the 20th Century to find general elections that did not rise anywhere near the financial expenditures of recent presidential elections. Is fortune and/or fame the only two things that will get someone elected today? The most important kinds of political experience sure don't seem to matter.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 1 at 2015 5:09 PM

2015-08-01T17:09:56-04:00

It looks like you have to have money in my opinion to be heard! Look at Trump!

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Aug 1 at 2015 5:10 PM

2015-08-01T17:10:59-04:00

Money has been buying elections for decades.......

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 1 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-08-01T17:11:31-04:00

Unfortunately yes...a person without financial resources stands no chance.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 1 at 2015 7:50 PM

2015-08-01T19:50:48-04:00

In the age of social media and the ability to seek and find even the small donor, the money advantage is just not true. It does provide an initial advantage but it can be overcome and has been in many elections.
President Obama is an example of someone who did not have ANY initial money advantage and went on to take down three candidates (Hilliary, McCain, Romney) with significant funding sources.
Partisanship (appeal to one of the major parties) and Passion (have a simple, clear position that connect to the public) are absolutely required. Money is drawn to these candidates.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 1 at 2015 10:35 PM

2015-08-01T22:35:33-04:00

Again I said yes, because the lobbyist and those with the biggest campaign funds seem to get the most coverage and win elections. If we eliminated the money aspect completely and gave everyone a fair share of the Presidential campaign money we provide on the Tax Returns and didn't allow special interest groups, lobbyist, etc., and just let the candidates campaign evenly across the board, give the same number of speeches per state and nationally, had one or to debates nationally and did away with the various parties and the conventions, then "yes" we might have Mr. Smith go to the white house. Just an opinion and a thought - there would have to be a lot more moving parts, but let's someone besides the government design it - they would just screw it up. LOL!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 2 at 2015 2:50 AM

2015-08-02T02:50:11-04:00

Politicians are spending hundreds of millions for a 400k job. There is too much money in politics.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 2 at 2015 6:31 AM

2015-08-02T06:31:16-04:00

Unfortunately I had to vote yes. What's they saying? Money talks, bullshit walks?