Does it strike anyone as odd how small the money in politics is?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

The general line is that politics requires massive amounts of money, but it's kind of a joke. Obama raises a staggering 20 million in a quarter. Hillary raises a staggering 22 million in a quarter. And so on.

That's not "big money." An entire presidential campaign consumes enough money to buy one moderately sized office building.

I can imagine Katie Couric talking about the "big money" in politics without noting that she could finance one of these campaigns out of her pocket.

I'm not saying money doesn't corrupt the process, only that it's really sad how little money it takes to corrupt the process.

Some Park avenue condos cost more than Guliani will raise in the entire primary season. I wouldn't be surprised if Dick Cheney's blind trust has probably risen more while he's been VP than the entire republican campaign will cost. And so on...

[jmp]

1. Why would people donate ...

To candidates that won't represent them once they get elected?

[terisan]

2. Yes, and I think there must be a lot that we do not know about. Things like Billy Tauzin

using his position to get the Medicare Drug program pushed through and then taking a $2 million per year position in the Pharm. industry.

I believe he should be in jail.

[MadHound]

3. Actually for the primary season, that is big money

And it will get bigger as the election cycle progresses. This is pretty damned early in the primary process, and for this far out, this is big money.

[w4rma]

4. Agreed. (nt)

[TwilightZone]

5. Interesting point. Compared to a month in Iraq, it's nothing.

There is probably a CEO or two who make per year what one of the candidates will raise for the entire cycle.

[Telly Savalas]

6. If it's not big money, then anybody here should easily be able to raise it

and make a very competitive bid for the presidency.

[CreekDog]

7. All for a $400,000 per year job

[Exultant Democracy]

8. Just for comparision Americans spend over $5 Billion a year on Halloween. Boo