please tell me why presidential canidates have to raise so much money?

Question

what becomes of the money? does the one wiyh the most donations automatically become the front runner?

Answer 1

To travel to as many places to visit the voters, commercials, campaign staff, campaign office places, bumper stickers, yard signs, staffers, accountants, and sometimes contributions to the voters causes too, and it goes on and on, basically, it all depends on how elaborate the candidate is that determines the money he will need to cover ground prior to an election.

Answer 2

Excellent question. There are several reasons why.

First, the cost of campaigning, with its emphasis on television and other media outlets, is an expensive process. It is now not uncommon for presidential candidates and their "soft" supporters (mostly the Democrat and Republican parties) to spend $100 million in advertising.

Second, the length of presidential campaigns are longer than any comparable system among western-style democracies. Particularly in the case of parliamentary systems, leadership elections generally last no longer than three months. Ours last over two years.

Finally, the amount of money raised is an important component in how support is reckoned. Roughly speaking, money raised equals level of support. It can have the effect of tilting the balance of presidential races and also discourage potential candidates from entering the race. It is thus a means of showing an appearance of power and support.

Personally, I think there should be changes in the way in which candidates are funded and in the way they expend those funds. But since the Supreme Court has ruled that money is a constitutional right in regards to our First Amendment freedom of expression, I don't think much is going to change.

Cheers.

Answer 3

McCain Fiengold took all the money out of politics.(sarcasm) It allows the parties and incumbent more power which was the point all along. Plus it allowed the already corrupted McCain to pretend to be above board. It still comes down to votes but they say that money is the mother's milk of politics.

Answer 4

To start with the last question. This question is a little bit like the chicken and the egg. Early polls measure name recognition. Good results in early polls make a candidate seem as if they have a realistic chance at winning. That evaluation leads to likely donors contributing money. That money goes into publicity efforts that increase name recognition (including the free media attention that goes to those raising the most money). The increased name recognition leads to improved poll numbers. The improved poll numbers lead to even more contributions, etc.

Obviously, the most money does not automatically make you the front-runner, but it does make you a legitimate contender as it allows you to compete further in the primaries than someone without as much money.

The money goes to cover the expenses of the campaign. Those expenses include rent (and utilities and phone connections) for several headquarters (especially in the early states). It pays for staff people to coordinate campaign efforts (especially in states like Iowa where organization is very important). It pays for staff people to raise money and file expenditure reports with the Federal Elections Commission. It pays for media consultants and pollsters to design ad campaigns. It pays for attorneys and other professionals to make sure the candidate gets on the primary ballot in all 50 states (and comply with the party rules of all 50 states for delegate selection). It pays for transporting the candidate from one place to the next and for renting places for campaign events.

Most importantly, it pays for ads. It pays for newspaper ads. It pays for cable TV ads. It pays for network tv ads. It pays for radio ads. It pays for a website. It pays for internet ads. It pays for mailers.

The bottom line is that a single state senate race in a medium-sized state can cost a candidate's campaign about $250,000.00 (and that is almost all direct mail pieces and radio ads to avoid market bleed). A statewide race for governor or senator in a medium-sized state can cost over $10 million per candidate. Even the front-runners in this race do not have enough money to adequately advertise in every state (which would take around $300 million).

Answer 5

They do marketing with the money. Print Ads, Television, personal appearances around the country.

Answer 6

It cost a lot of money to travel around and rent cars and planes and even pay for places to stand on a soap box. Advertising that the candidate will be there etc.

Answer 7

if they have money left over they can save it for their next election. also some money comes from their parties general election fundraising, where they only use from that fund that they need. Biggest costs are advertising on TV, and payroll for their election commitee workers. Also costs of travel, printed materials, and all those IHOP dinners.

Answer 8

It lots of money for the thirty second commercials on tv and internet.

Answer 9

It is expensive getting out your message to 300 million people. Then it is even more expensive to set straight smear tactics from your opponent. (This goes for both parties)

Answer 10

TV time is expensive; they need large staffs, they have to travel, newspaper ads are costly, and it adds up to millions.