Is the pool of POTUS contenders destined to only be a millionaire's club?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver The only way it changes, is if we as citizens demand change. It doesn't need to be a millionaire's club. If we put strict limits on campaign financing, limit the amount that an individual can spend on a campaign regardless. I would suggest start with the salary of the President. As SSgt Alex Robinson put it, it takes millions to run for a job that pays $400k. So what if the limit of campaign spending was $400,000 dollars from all fund sources? You want to see someone who can balance the budget. Well here is the first test. You are only allowed to spend $400,000 on your campaign, and receipts must be produced to show how much was spent on each section of the campaign. Or let's be a little more reasonable. There are 50 states, so let's give them 500,000 to spend. That gives them $10,000 per state for campaigning.
The we will see how truly creative, and worthy a candidate is for the position. If they overspend, automatic Disqualification. If they hide spending, automatic disqualification. A person who balances the budget, gets their message out to the people, doesn't cheat, doesn't go over budget? You have a person at least worthy of consideration for a vote. This would additionally serve to allow candidates from outside the two large political parties to mount an equal campaign for the office.

Let's face it. It takes millions to run for a job that pays 400k

You know, I've sometimes been tempted to believe that if someone could stomach the insults...afford to not work for two years (the better to make the effort)...and had family willing to support them while they did it...a "regular" guy could make the cut. At the very least, someone using "free" publicity like social media could come up with a way to prove that popular support should warrant a place on the ballot. I say we all support our own "RP candidate"...what say you SSG Wallace? (from one Scot to another, you gotta admit the name's enough to carry the vote)