Buying the Oval Office

By: Kelsey Knutson

It is not news to anyone who has had their eyes open these past few months; the spending that has been going on in this campaign is tremendous. 

From Sept. 8 to Oct. 4 alone the candidates together spent over $28 million. This amount of spending is a 64 percent increase from the spending of the 2004 presidential race. Money clearly equals power. 

Democratic candidate Barack Obama is venturing into a new form of media campaigning by spending just under $2 million for 30 minutes of air time on Oct 29. This has never been done before. This broadcast can be seen on CBS, ABC, and NBC.

In the past, presidential candidates have spent money on long ads on cable networks but never on the national networks. The last time a presidential candidate bought a 30 minute ad was Ross Perot in 1992. 

Each candidate has spend an enormous amount of money. Obama has spent more than McCain; however, that is only because he has raised more. (A lot more) But does the advertising spending really mean anything now? No. The advertising meant a lot more the campaigns six to seven months ago. Even way back to the primaries. People now have made up their minds.

However, the point is that the media has become the main force in these presidential campaigns. It is the most efficient way to get a message across to the country. But don't be fooled - political scientists say that just because one candidate outspends the other doesn't mean he/she will necessarily win. 

Money equals power, but when it comes to elections the people still hold the ultimate power.