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seaeagle
Joined: Aug 31, 2004
Posts: 5764
Location: Sydney, Australia
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 Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:43 pm Post subject: Spending on US Congress campaign expected to set record |
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U.S. Congress campaign cost expected to set record | Politics News | Reuters.com
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. candidates and their political allies will spend a record $2.6 billion on campaigns for November elections that will determine control of Congress, a watchdog group said on Tuesday.
That comes to an average of $59 per vote in Senate races and $35 per vote in the House of Representatives, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics said.
Control of both houses of Congress is on the line in the November 7 election, and a Democratic victory could make life much more difficult for President George W. Bush and his fellow Republicans.
With such high stakes, it is unsurprising that candidates and outside groups are expected to raise and spend more money than ever, said Sheila Krumholz, the nonprofit group's acting executive director.
"The money in this campaign has been flowing fast and furiously," Krumholz told reporters on a conference call. (continued) |
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The 2002 congressional election cost $2.2 billion, while the 2004 election, which included a presidential contest, cost $4.2 billion, according to the center, which tracks money in politics.
The $2.6 billion estimated cost of this year's campaign represents an 18 percent increase over 2002, outstripping the 13 percent inflation over the same period.
Congressional candidates have raised $1.3 billion so far. Republican have raised $586 million and Democrats have raised $567 million. |
It looks like running for office isn't getting any cheaper these days. |
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ejward
Joined: Jan 06, 2003
Posts: 7054
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| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Spending on US Congress campaign expected to set record [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| Wasn't there a thread around here about government sponsored campaigns? In Arizona and Maine, the state pays for you to run. Private money is almost eliminated. Esentially, the person running doesn't owe anybody anything. We despertly need this on a national level. It would mean the end of lobbiests. The end of favors for contributions.
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xavierx
Joined: Nov 06, 2004
Posts: 5427
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| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Spending on US Congress campaign expected to set record [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| ejward wrote: |
| Wasn't there a thread around here about government sponsored campaigns? In Arizona and Maine, the state pays for you to run. Private money is almost eliminated. Esentially, the person running doesn't owe anybody anything. We despertly need this on a national level. It would mean the end of lobbiests. The end of favors for contributions. |
I don't know about that. That solution may end political donations, but it won't end lobbying.
On top of that, I don't want to pay for all that! If we have nationally funded elections, then we'll have to fund everybody who wants to run evenly. That means either nobody gets enough time (and thus political spending continues) or a TON of new taxes. Neither case solves the problem.
And on top of that, there will always be political adds and campaigns by groups allegedly unaffiliated with the candidate. We can't stop that, since that would be a violation of free speech.
I agree we need to do something, but I haven't heard a good solution yet. |
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ejward
Joined: Jan 06, 2003
Posts: 7054
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| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Spending on US Congress campaign expected to set record [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| xavierx wrote: |
| ejward wrote: |
| Wasn't there a thread around here about government sponsored campaigns? In Arizona and Maine, the state pays for you to run. Private money is almost eliminated. Esentially, the person running doesn't owe anybody anything. We despertly need this on a national level. It would mean the end of lobbiests. The end of favors for contributions. |
I don't know about that. That solution may end political donations, but it won't end lobbying.
On top of that, I don't want to pay for all that! If we have nationally funded elections, then we'll have to fund everybody who wants to run evenly. That means either nobody gets enough time (and thus political spending continues) or a TON of new taxes. Neither case solves the problem.
And on top of that, there will always be political adds and campaigns by groups allegedly unaffiliated with the candidate. We can't stop that, since that would be a violation of free speech.
I agree we need to do something, but I haven't heard a good solution yet. |
Actually, it wouldn't fund anybody who wants to run. a canidate has to get x number of people to pleged $5.00 each. No more, no less. Once they meet this requirement, they get public money. The good part of this is that everyone gets exactly the same amount. And, it's nowhere near what they've been getting now. The side effect is that you'll see who the most fiscally responsible canidate is if nohing else.
It may not do anything for lobbying though. I think I was getting confused with the new law proposed in California. |
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