Has the financial aspect of the presidential elections eliminated the possibility of there ever being a "Mr. Smith" going to Washington??? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>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. Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:07:57 -0400 Has the financial aspect of the presidential elections eliminated the possibility of there ever being a "Mr. Smith" going to Washington??? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>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. SCPO Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:07:57 -0400 2015-08-01T17:07:57-04:00 Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 1 at 2015 5:09 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington?n=859690&urlhash=859690 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It looks like you have to have money in my opinion to be heard! Look at Trump! SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:09:56 -0400 2015-08-01T17:09:56-04:00 Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Aug 1 at 2015 5:10 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington?n=859691&urlhash=859691 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Money has been buying elections for decades....... SFC Everett Oliver Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:10:59 -0400 2015-08-01T17:10:59-04:00 Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 1 at 2015 5:11 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington?n=859692&urlhash=859692 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Unfortunately yes...a person without financial resources stands no chance. SMSgt Tony Barnes Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:11:31 -0400 2015-08-01T17:11:31-04:00 Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 1 at 2015 7:50 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington?n=859928&urlhash=859928 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><br />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. <br />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.<br />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. LTC John Shaw Sat, 01 Aug 2015 19:50:48 -0400 2015-08-01T19:50:48-04:00 Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 1 at 2015 10:35 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington?n=860303&urlhash=860303 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>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&#39;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 &quot;yes&quot; 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&#39;s someone besides the government design it - they would just screw it up. LOL! COL Mikel J. Burroughs Sat, 01 Aug 2015 22:35:33 -0400 2015-08-01T22:35:33-04:00 Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 2 at 2015 2:50 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington?n=860555&urlhash=860555 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Politicians are spending hundreds of millions for a 400k job. There is too much money in politics. SSgt Alex Robinson Sun, 02 Aug 2015 02:50:11 -0400 2015-08-02T02:50:11-04:00 Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 2 at 2015 6:31 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/has-the-financial-aspect-of-the-presidential-elections-eliminated-the-possibility-of-there-ever-being-a-mr-smith-going-to-washington?n=860657&urlhash=860657 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><br />Unfortunately I had to vote yes. What's they saying? Money talks, bullshit walks? PO1 John Miller Sun, 02 Aug 2015 06:31:16 -0400 2015-08-02T06:31:16-04:00 2015-08-01T17:07:57-04:00