Section Toolbar: Homepage News Sports B-Section Editorial/Op-ed Features

Issue date: 3/6/08

Media Credit: Jacqueline Hlavenka

Inflated expenditures continue to set the election on a pace that would render it the most expensive campaign cycle in U.S. history. This time of year, discussions regarding 100-million-dollar payrolls are usually in reference to big-market Major League Baseball clubs. But months before the Democratic and Republican conventions, the amount spent on ads, travel and staffing has already exceeded the quarter-trillion dollar mark.

Consider Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the political equivalent of Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. Both spend exorbitant sums of money, but sustain that pace thanks to effective fund-raising measures. Through January alone, www.opensecrets.com reports that Obama and Clinton, who have spent $113 million and $105 million, respectively, have spent twice as much as Republican nominee John McCain, according to Associated Press delegate estimates. Those totals do not include February figures which are due March 20.

The astronomical figures also don't factor this week's vital contests in Ohio and Texas into the spending binge by both Democratic heavyweights in. Clinton needed victories to stave off Obama's momentum after a string of successful showings. Clinton raised an additional $32 million for the two races, which normally stands as an impressive figure. Yet that amount is downright low-budget compared to the $50 million Obama compiled for the key two races.

Like baseball, outspending doesn't equal wins. It only provides greater opportunity for success. In a distressing trend, candidates in the modern political climate need to be able to put up campaign contributions that stretch into the nine-figure categories. Unfortunately for the American public, no amount of donations can prevent recherche monologues and bickering over trivial matters during debates or stump speeches. Regardless of who wins the Democratic nomination, the candidate will likely surpass John Kerry's $328 million expenditure-level posted in 2004. President George W. Bush set a world record by spending $367 million-over $100 million more than Ireland's GDP-on his successful re-election push. While the United States continues to spiral into a recession, robust fundraising tactics are turning the race for the country's most important office into a glorified shopping spree.

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