Money is power. When that money is used to influence decisions or reversals of positions, it is called bribery. In the political world, it is called Lobbying. So what is the difference? Absolutely nothing. Unfortunately, this is how the political system works. The more money given, the more potential influence bought, the greater the benefits for those involved. One of these benefits is the ability to influence the public to elect the next President of the United States.
The Center for Responsive Politics reports that the available money in June for Barack Obama is $71,670,324 and John McCain is $35,636,825. This means that Obama has twice the money available to spread his political message.
So where does this money come from? According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a majority of the money comes from individual contributions with a very small percentage coming from political action committees (PACs). Furthermore, California seems to be the most influential state with the most individual contributions to each candidate.
The candidates are not the only ones advertising to claim votes. Advocacy groups for both parties slam potential voters with dirty ad campaigns, flashy fliers, annoying phone calls, and radio advertising. The Center for Responsive Politics defines 527 groups as "A tax-exempt group organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code to raise money for political activities."
The main concern of these 527 groups is to get their candidate elected. One of the biggest contributors with a whooping $4,500,000 is George Soros as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics. Some of this money has been used in the development of an organization called Fund for America.
As stated by the Washington Post's Chris Cilliza on his blog, "As initially conceived, the Fund (for America) would be a long-term way in which affluent donors could give money and have those dollars directed in a smart and strategic way to various organizations around the country." The Fund of America donated money to America Votes and the Campaign to Defend America.
America Votes stated, "We thank the Fund for its help and will continue our own aggressive fund-raising to build a strong independent progressive infrastructure in 2008 and beyond." This quote was made as a comment to Chris Cilliza by Martin Frost who is the president of America Votes. $11,235,060 has already been spent as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Npr.org reports that, "Fund for America gave the Campaign to Defend America $1 million for the anti-McCain ad." "Leading the Campaign to Defend America are key figures from the more famous group MoveOn.org."
"MoveOn.org Political Action, one of the largest Political Action Committees in the country, brings real Americans into politics to fight for a more progressive America and elect progressive candidates," as stated in their website. As their website shows, they are clearly backing Obama as president. According to the Center for Responsible Politics, Moveon.org spent $1,703,572 on getting Obama elected.
In other words, all of these organizations, Fund for America, America Votes, and Moveon.org are using their wealth and power to help elect Barak Obama as the next President of the United States.
Unfortunately, it is not only the Democrats who are organizing and launching ad campaigns, the Republicans have formed their own organizations to wield their power and wealth in getting John McCain elected.
The Center for Responsive Politics reports that American Solutions Winning the Future spent $10,727,202, GOPAC spent $7,178,987, and the College Republican National Cmte spent $4,160,655. These are the top 527 advocacy groups who support John McCain for the next United States President.
It should be stated that these 527 groups and organizations operate independently of their prospective candidates. The candidates may state they wish to play clean politics. However, every single one of these organizations will use every dollar at their disposal and every trick in the political play book to get their candidates elected.
Money is power. That power translates to influence. This influence helps persuade potential voters to make the decision to vote for their candidate. With a majority of the votes, the next President of the United States is decided whether it be Barak Obama or John McCain. Who is to become the next President remains to be seen. No matter who gets elected, billions of dollars will be spent trying to get your vote.