Honest Presidential Fundraising Question

[rammstein]

Here's an honest question:

What does campaign money go for, exactly?

In my mind, I figure a candidate has a plan for what they would do if elected. They then have a need to point to their previous track record to show their credibility and prior successes. Kind of like a resume for a job interview. After that, the voter hears from each additional candidate, and then makes a choice about who they feel is best for the job. Right?

If that is the case, a super-sweet video camera would cost $2000. A computer would cost $1000, plus associated software adds another $500. Posting on YouTube is free. So you would reach a LOT of people that way. After that, lets say you want to be sure you get your message to anybody that doesn't use youtube. Chances are, if you become super popular your video will be shown on national TV for free. But even so, what about the people who don't have TVs? Fine, lets send a letter to EVERY VOTER IN THE COUNTRY. This would cost (for 4.25x6" double sided color postcards):
28121537.19
*Total number of people over age 18 who voted in 2004:
122,267,553
x bulk mail rate ($.23) + (122,267,553) postcard printing cost ($.04339)= $33,426,726.31

So, for roughly $35,000,000 every active voter in the nation gets a postcard. Plus, anybody who has left the 17th century will also have seen you on youtube. What is the rest for?

[rammstein]

Someone in my office made a valid point to me- its like the advertising for McDonalds, or Coca-Cola. SURE- we know they are there, and yet they spend BILLIONS on reminding us. Why? I guess because it works. I just wasn't thinking of the cadidates as products. So I guess I already answered my post. Nevermind.

[livi]

Lewinsky money ?

[id10t]

Big parties and celebrations, wooing the leaders of groups like unions, etc. plus travel, etc. as well....

[Jims5543]

Coke and hookers.

[rammstein]

Yeah, it all adds up fast when you start that stuff. I just wasn't thinking that it would be necessary. But the more I think about it, the more I understand why they do it.

[Jims5543]

Your in Miami, ever been to the Columbus Day Regatta?

Mostly attended by politicians and businessmen.

Hookers and Blow.

[Superman]

Simple. In sharp contrast with other developed nations that focus on the issues, American politics is purely a beauty contest. And it takes a LOT of money to make our politicians appear attractive.

[livi]

Arnold is still rather handsome..

But yes, I know what you mean Supe. When Olof Palme took his wife to visit with your President at the time, the whole Swedish population was ashamed of how she looked and above all dressed. Every other politician dressed sharply, Olof and wife looked completely casual I am sure they did not care about it either.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

Your in Miami, ever been to the Columbus Day Regatta?

Mostly attended by politicians and businessmen.

Hookers and Blow.

I gonna run for orifice one of these days...

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Superman

Simple. In sharp contrast with other developed nations that focus on the issues, American politics is purely a beauty contest. And it takes a LOT of money to make our politicians appear attractive.

+1. Very well put.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by Superman

Simple. In sharp contrast with other developed nations that focus on the issues, American politics is purely a beauty contest. And it takes a LOT of money to make our politicians appear attractive.

That's the wrong way to look at it... Those campaign contributions are free speech. The USA has way more free speech than any other developed nation!

[Rick Lee]

Rammstein, you're leaving out a few things. Flying everyone around on a private jet costs a ton of money. Those jets are not donated, as a lot of people like to claim. They have to be paid for at market-rates. Campaigns pay for the office space, laptops, Blackberries, hotel rooms, office supplies, staff salaries, and on and on and on. Professional fundraisers get a cut of their total take. Direct mail houses build their price into the per-piece mailed rate. And then come the tv commercials. They are crazy expensive and the people that buy the ad time get paid as a percentage of the cost of the ad. You think senior citizens get their political news from youtube? My parents are 60 and don't even know what that is. My 85 yr. old grandmother doesn't do email or cable tv. And remember, if you want fed. matching funds, you have to raise as much as you can. My guess is Clinton will forgo it, though I'm not sure if she's said it yet. Worst thing about campaigns is that they pay their vendors last, who are often left holding the bag on the day after the election when the campaign closes shop and disappears. We charge campaigns' credit cards in advance of performing any work for them.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Worst thing about campaigns is that they pay their vendors last, who are often left holding the bag on the day after the election when the campaign closes shop and disappears. We charge campaigns' credit cards in advance of performing any work for them.

Yep, truer words have not been spoken, but don't forget the Pardons (like clinton sold) and secrets to the Chinese (again, clinton)

[dtw]

I would like to have MY hookers and coke paid for by the electorate. Where can I submit my bid for presidency?

My platform? Uhmm...ok, free hookers and coke for everyone!

[Jims5543]

A friend of mine went to the Regatta a while back, he looked around the Yacht he was on, he noticed his ex-wifes divorce attorney snorting lines of coke with the judge presiding over their case, no wonder he lost. The he noticed some prominent politicians on the same Yacht. In addition to the ample supply of coke there were plenty of hookers on hand as well. He quickly forgot about his ex-wife.


/ true story.