Are presidency's won or purchased?

Question

With the average campaign of both of the primary parties running more than an estimated $1 Billion, how can anyone that is not the primary Democrat or Republican compete? Are we missing out on presidents that would have been great but lack the funds for the advertising? Or perhaps, it just so happens that those elected are the best, and worked their way up the ladder... Although I dont think so, what are your thoughts?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._presidential_election,_2008#Campaign_costs

Answer 1

The presidency is bought, no doubt. And not just with money, but with lots of promises for future political favors.

None of the money raising competition means anything good for 95% of Americans. The best don't win. Maybe the more clever, the richer, the better connected, etc. win, but not the best in the sense of best person to look out for the needs of the general public.

You have a kind of aristocracy of the wealthy and the privilaged elected by the help this aristocracy, looking out for the interests of this aristocracy. The rest of us don't count.

Answer 2

Good question, but unfortunately this falls into the same category as "capitalism is the worst system ever devised, except for all the others, which are even worse." It's easy to say get rid of campaign contributions; but how can you justify muzzling people who want to speak? Because that's what it would do. Everybody doesn't have the time or skills to stand up and make themselves heard; political parties can pool the resources of many like-minded people to get their word out.

Without the parties and the advertising, many (probably most) people would not have a voice. The only voice being heard would be that of the media - kind of like in the old Soviet Union and Pravda.

Answer 3

they are bought. if you really pay attention to the media everybody is a subsidy of somebody else and everybody scratches somebody else's back and of course it is a elite-st class that only shakes hands with money in them. all they have to do is let the little guys win the small races in their respective states and i mean mayors,governors etc..,then they can buy the electoral college.and you may say the electoral must vote the will of the people but by law they don't have to and also remember they know whats best for us.and yea i think we have lost great idealist ,i feel the U.S could have and should have been going in a different directions for the best and not at a closed minded war lead by the blind. i don't think we have to choose from are the best, those are who we have to chose that were chosen for us by rich people who buy politicians to have their bidding done.. i know this might sound a little "conspiracy theory" it's not it's just the way i feel..

Answer 4

Why else would someone want to spend $500 million dollars on a job that pays $300K. That is the motiviation of the puppeteers and corporate America. Democrats and Republicans all sound alike, except one. Watch the video in the link below.

Answer 5

Just look at Ross Perot - he was a billionare and managed to get 15% of the vote back in the 90's

Answer 6

You gotta have huge face recognition...nobody would even think about voting for some of these jerks if they didn't "Look nice" on television...so you gotta have big bucks to get your lovely face in front of people. John Kerry was always doomed because he looks like Lurch.

Answer 7

The truth is so sad I think I have to stay in denial and that the all our elections are fair and reflect the will of the people.

Answer 8

anymore its bought has any polictial figure be3en elected in the last 50 yrs without spending large amounts of money to be elected?

Answer 9

Purchased.

Answer 10

If that's True Micheal Bloomberg would win.